Get Hands On with Hand Eczema

A guide to Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) and how to get support. The content on this page was created (in partnership with Allergy UK) and funded by LEO Pharma.

Do you feel like you’re not getting the support you need for Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE)? You’re not alone – 2 in 3 people feel the same.(1)

CHE isn’t just skin deep – it’s a long-term condition that can impact daily life, work and self-confidence.(2) In fact, we wish more people knew that the emotional strain of CHE can be just as hard to cope with as the physical symptoms.

Tracking your symptoms and how you’re feeling is a great first step to having more informed, honest conversations with your doctor or nurse.

Get Hands On with Hand Eczema

If you’re living with hand eczema now, or have had it in the past, our short questionnaire below can help show how much it is affecting your life – including things like sleep, work, and daily activities.

What is CHE?

CHE is a long-lasting skin condition that affects the hands and wrists.(3)  We know that CHE can be frustrating, painful and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s important to know you’re not alone.

Symptoms can change over time, often flaring up without warning. Things like the weather, the soap you use, or even doing your job can make hand eczema worse – this can make it difficult to explain how much it is affecting your life.(3)

Symptoms may include:(3)

  • Redness
  • Cracking
  • Pain
  • Itching
  • Blisters

Examples of CHE

The images show some examples of what the signs of CHE might look like. Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet dermnetnz.org 2025. (4), (5), (6).

What I wish I knew: CHE doesn’t just affect the skin – the emotional impact is just as real. You might experience stress, anxiety, feelings of shame, and embarrassment. Many people find it hard to talk about how deeply it affects their life, but we’re here to help you start those conversations.(1)

Get Hands On: Speaking to your GP about both the physical and emotional impact of CHE is a good first step toward getting the help you need.

Your Hand Eczema Questionnaire

If you have hand eczema now, or have had it in the past, this short questionnaire can help show how much it is affecting your everyday life – including things like sleep, work, and daily activities.

Your answers will give you a simple score showing the impact of your symptoms over the last 7 days, and it can be filled out as often as you like. You can use the results to have more helpful conversations with your doctor.

Living with Chronic Hand Eczema - Emma's Story

Emma has been living with CHE for over 9 years. During flare-ups, everyday tasks like cooking a meal, writing and working become difficult – and she often avoids letting others touch her hands. Watch Emma’s story to hear how CHE has impacted her life, and her hopes for the future.

Chronic Hand Eczema Patient Impact Report

The CHE Patient Impact Report was created (in partnership with Allergy UK) and funded by LEO Pharma and shows the emotional and physical impact of CHE.

Find out more

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Find out more about eczema, its symptoms, triggers and management. (Content owned by Allergy UK).

Find out more

The content included within this webpage was created (in partnership with Allergy UK) and funded by LEO Pharma. Allergy UK is working in collaboration with LEO Pharma on the ‘Get Hands On with Hand Eczema’ campaign. Please note LEO Pharma is not responsible for any content beyond this campaign webpage.

MAT-82328 | July 2025

References:

  1. DOF Derm. CHE Patient Impact Report 2024.
  2. Grant L, et al. Adv Ther. 2020 Feb;37(2):692-706. doi: 10.1007/s12325-019-01164-5. Epub 2020 Jan 19. PMID: 31956966; PMCID: PMC7004418.
  3. Thyssen JP, Schuttelaar MLA, Alfonso JH, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis. 2022; 86(5): 357-378. doi:10.1111/cod.14035.
  4. DermNet. https://dermnetnz.org/imagedetail/19330-hand-dermatitis
  5. DermNet. https://dermnetnz.org/imagedetail/1705-atopic-hand-dermatitis
  6. DermNet. https://dermnetnz.org/imagedetail/19330-hand-dermatitis

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