My hands are itching and swelling: what can I do?

Check whether both hands are affected, whether swelling appeared suddenly, and whether the skin is dry, cracked, blistered, scaly, warm, or painful. Note new soaps, gloves, detergents, metals, plants, foods, or medicines. These details help separate a surface reaction from infection or a broader allergic response.

Contact dermatitis can follow direct exposure and often affects areas that touched the trigger. Atopic dermatitis and asteatotic eczema can leave dry, cracked, itchy skin. Hives usually produce raised, shifting welts. Scabies may cause intense itch with small bumps and symptoms in close contacts. Psoriasis, lichen planus, and skin yeast infection have distinct patterns that need examination rather than self-diagnosis.

Remove suspected irritants, rinse the hands, and use a bland fragrance-free moisturiser after drying. Cool compresses may calm itch; avoid hot water, scratching, fragranced products, and unprotected cleaning. Keep cracked areas clean and cover them lightly if rubbing is unavoidable. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether an antihistamine or topical treatment is suitable, especially during pregnancy or with other medicines.

Call emergency services for swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face, trouble breathing, wheezing, dizziness, or faintness. Seek same-day medical care for rapidly worsening one-sided swelling, severe pain, warmth, pus, fever, or red streaking. Arrange a review when symptoms recur, last despite avoiding a suspected trigger, or interfere with sleep or hand movement.

Could this be contact dermatitis, hives, eczema, scabies, or infection? Which exposures should I avoid? Is the skin barrier broken, and which treatment is safe with my medicines and health conditions?