FINDING THE RIGHT CARE AND SUPPORT TOOLS
GETTING A NEW DIAGNOSIS CAN BE A CHALLENGING TIME FOR ANYONE, AND IT’S POSSIBLE TO FEEL OVERWHELMED BY LOTS OF NEW INFORMATION OR THINGS THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE DONE TO MANAGE A NEW DISEASE
Chronic Hand Eczema might not completely go away for everyone, but there are things that can be done to help get it under control.
BASIC HAND CARE
Whatever the stage of Chronic Hand Eczema, basic hand care is something that might be recommended. It might include using emollients, wearing gloves, staying away from triggers (like allergens or irritants), or educational programs
TOPICAL TREATMENTS LIKE STEROIDS
Topical treatments are treatments that are applied to your skin, like lotions or creams
PHOTOTHERAPY
Phototherapy involves using ultraviolet (UV) light to treat moderate to severe Chronic Hand Eczema, and is carried out by specialists at a clinic or hospital
SYSTEMIC THERAPY
Can be taken by mouth or injection, and affects your whole body
None of these are specifically approved for CHE.
Keeping track of your symptoms
Keeping track of symptoms and feelings between appointments can help a healthcare professional understand the full impact of Chronic Hand Eczema and how it might be affecting daily life.
Talking about Chronic Hand Eczema, even with family and friends, can be hard. Some people with Chronic Hand Eczema might feel like their symptoms aren't serious enough to see a healthcare professional, or maybe that no one understands what it feels like.
It's important to remember that if Chronic Hand Eczema is impacting you, it's worth talking to a dermatologist. as they will be able to provide ongoing support.
If you’re thinking about or ready to talk to a doctor for the first time or think you may have chronic hand eczema (CHE) please schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor.
It's important to have a healthcare provider that advocates for your care and supports you by:
- Understanding your medical and treatment history to make sure you get the right care based on this
- Helping to find what works for you to manage your care in a way that suits you
- Providing ongoing support, including referrals to dedicated clinics (for support with things like anxiety or depression if needed)
Talk with your doctor about your treatment goals, what are you hoping treatment to achieve, prepare a list of past treatments and important topics from your CHE journey to better inform the discussion with your doctor.
“SOMETIMES WITH YOUR ECZEMA YOU WANT TO JUST RANT ABOUT IT. MY FRIENDS ARE MY SUPPORT SYSTEM, AND THEY’LL LISTEN”
Emma, a real patient with CHE
Building a supportive community
You might like to speak to people living with Chronic Hand Eczema to hear more about how they have adapted to life with the disease. There are challenges that can come with living with CHE,but you don’t have to experience it alone.
