“There is a strong association between hand eczema and atopic diseases,” Maya Jonas, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, told this news organization.
“When evaluating patients with hand eczema, it is important to ask if they have a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or allergic rhinitis,” said Dr. Jonas, who was not involved in the study.
Elma Baron, MD, professor and director, Skin Study Center, department of dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, was surprised by the inverse link between physical activity and HE.
“What struck me as interesting is the inverse association between hand eczema and physical activity, that greater physical activity will decrease the risk for hand eczema,” she said in an interview. “It’s an interesting finding that’s worth exploring.
“Dermatologists have also speculated about the association with the female gender, because women are more likely to be in situations that involve frequent hand washing or in occupations, such as hairdressing, that involve known irritants and allergens,” added Dr. Baron, who was not involved in the study.
The main weakness, she noted, is the reliance on self-reported diagnosis. “Hand eczema is a common condition, but the etiologies of reported hand eczema may vary.
“Being cognizant of these associations can help us prescribe appropriate medications and advise patients about how they can avoid exposures that will aggravate their condition,” Dr. Baron advised.
The authors recommend further related studies.
The authors, Dr. Jonas, and Dr. Baron report no relevant financial relationships. The study was not funded.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.