Treatment for dry, cracked hands from eczema

Eczema inflammation and a damaged barrier reinforce each other. Moisturiser reduces water loss, while avoiding irritants gives the surface time to recover. Burning, redness, scaling and splits can be signs of active inflammation rather than simple dryness. If one hand is affected or the rash follows a product or glove, contact dermatitis is also worth considering. [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) provides related background.

Apply a thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment several times daily, especially after washing. Clean with lukewarm water and pat dry instead of rubbing. Use protective gloves for dishes, cleaning and chemical exposure; change damp gloves and avoid prolonged sweating. A clinician may prescribe a topical corticosteroid or another anti-inflammatory medicine for a flare, with instructions based on the site and severity. Do not put unprescribed steroid combinations on broken skin. Dark marks after inflammation can occur; read about [Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation](/conditions/post-inflammatory-hyperpigmentation/).

Get assessed when self-care is not controlling symptoms, fissures repeatedly reopen, or the rash affects movement or sleep. Seek prompt help for pus, yellow crust, spreading redness, swelling, warmth, fever, or rapidly increasing pain. These changes may indicate infection rather than an ordinary flare.

What is the safest anti-inflammatory treatment for my hands? How long should I use it? Could patch testing identify a product trigger? What should I apply to an open fissure?