Hand Eczema is a Common Work-Related Condition

Hand eczema is a problem that many people in New Jersey deal with everyday, especially if they are full-time workers. In fact, skin diseases accounted for over one-third of all occupational diseases that were reported in 2020.

What Does Hand Eczema Look Like?

Hand eczema is an itchy, flaky skin rash that occurs on the backs of hands and fingers. If you have hand eczema, your skin will look red and cracked in the affected areas. The good news is that hand eczema is not contagious and it is generally covered under workers’ compensation insurance policies.

What Causes Hand Eczema?

Hand eczema is usually never caused by just one thing in your work environment, but a combination of factors. If you work every day with your hands, the constant stress on your skin makes it easier for toxins to enter your pours. Dry air or constant wetness at work are some risk factors. If you are required to wear gloves at work, the moisture build-up in the gloves combined with toxic ingredients in the glove plastic can lead to the development of hand eczema.

One example of a worker who could develop hand eczema is a restaurant dishwasher. A dishwasher’s hands are constantly wet and exposed to cleaning solutions. A person who works with their hands at an indoor factory may also get eczema from dry air and exposure to chemicals.

Hand Eczema is an Occupational Skin Disease

If you think that you developed hand eczema from your work conditions, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Hand eczema is considered an occupational disease, so your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover your treatment. Early dermatological treatment for hand eczema is recommended to prevent a chronic condition from developing.