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

Episodes that return can reflect repeated contact with an irritant, an allergic reaction, eczema flares, hives, or an infection that has not been treated. Keep a simple diary of timing, activities, products, foods, medicines, and how long each episode lasts. Whether swelling moves, leaves welts, or stays in one cracked area is useful information.

Contact dermatitis often follows work, cleaning, gloves, jewellery, or personal-care products. Atopic dermatitis and asteatotic eczema tend to cause dryness, cracks, and itch. Hives can appear and fade in different places. Scabies may be worse at night and can affect household members. Psoriasis, lichen planus, or skin yeast infection may cause persistent changes that require a clinician to identify.

Use lukewarm water, a gentle fragrance-free cleanser, and moisturiser after every wash. Wear protective gloves for wet work, with a breathable layer underneath if gloves themselves irritate you, and replace products one at a time so triggers are easier to identify. Do not use leftover prescription creams or combine treatments without advice. A clinician can examine active skin and choose treatment based on the cause.

Get emergency help for swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat, or face, breathing difficulty, faintness, or widespread symptoms after an exposure. Seek same-day care if one hand becomes rapidly more swollen, hot, painful, or drains pus, or if fever develops. Book a routine appointment for repeated episodes, persistent cracks, night-time itch, or reduced hand movement.

What pattern does my diary suggest? Could this be a contact trigger, eczema, hives, scabies, or infection? Should I have allergy or other testing, and how should I protect my hands during work?