Consequences of having hand eczema

Consequences of hand eczema were studied in 1238 patients who had the diagnosis confirmed in a prevalence study of hand eczema in the population of Gothenburg. It was found that 2/3 of the patients had consulted a doctor on some occasion and 1/5 had been on sick leave for their hand eczema. The mean total time on sick leave was 18.9 weeks, the median 8 weeks. Patients in service occupations reported more periods of sick leave than other occupational groups. Local steroid preparations were used by 1/2 the patients, emollients by 85%. Change of work was reported by 8% and was most common in service occupations. Hairdressers had the highest rate of change. 80% of the patients experienced some kind of disturbance to their social and emotional lives, considered to be caused by the hand eczema. Frequent itching was reported by 1/2 the patients, occasional itching by another 1/3. Comparing different types of hand eczema, allergic contact dermatitis seemed throughout to cause more serious consequences. It is concluded that good care of a hand eczema patient includes attention to the impact of the disease on the patient's total situation.