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Small dry skin patches on hands - any advice please?

3 replies

Fandango52 · 25/06/2025 10:58

I’m in my early thirties and have started getting small patches of dry, red skin on my hands - on one side of my left hand and my right thumb.

I think it might be eczema, but I’m not sure. I’ve never had any skin complaints before, although my Dad has had eczema since he was a child, so it may come from his side (I don’t think anyone in my Mum’s family has ever had it). I don’t think I’m particularly stressed, so I don’t think it was brought on by that.

The only thing I can think of is I started my current skincare routine in early May and that’s roughly when I started noticing it first on my right thumb.

My routine hasn’t caused any issues on my face at all, and I’ve purposely gone for products that are meant to be gentle on skin, as the skin on my face can be quite sensitive and prone to redness.

Sometimes I wash my clothes by hand with detergent (bio or non-bio), and that may intensify it too, although I’m not sure, so I’ll make sure to wear gloves when I do that.

For info, I’ve included my routine below:

AM: La Roche Posay Tolériane cleanser; Avène hydrance moisturiser; Soltan mini SPF50 sunscreen or Ambre Solaire SPF50 HydraProtect sunscreen

PM: LRP Tolériane; 0.01% tret and 10% azelaic acid treatment (started this 2 weeks ago, and make sure to wash my hands really well after using); Avène hydrance moisturiser or LRP dermallergo night cream.

It’s not painful, but it is a bit annoying. I’ll probably go to my GP soon to ask for their thoughts on this (e.g. if it is actually eczema, what could be causing it and how to treat it, and to find out what precautions I can take to make sure it doesn’t spread anywhere else).

Just wondering in the meantime if anyone has had anything like this?

Thanks all!

OP posts:
GininMcGlass · 25/06/2025 11:23

Sounds like eczema, it's in typical places on your hands but it's difficult to diagnose online. You could show it to your pharmacist, they will have creams you can buy otc that are usually cheaper than the price of a prescription.

EverythingIsComputer · 25/06/2025 16:10

Could be a reaction to some household cleaning products too, if I accidentally get bleach on my hands a couple of months later I get blisters that I use hydrocortisone cream on. Would recommend a chat with your pharmacist as a first port of call. And gloves for when you do cleaning and handwashing your laundry.

Fandango52 · 25/06/2025 22:34

Thanks! I’ll get some gloves for cleaning/washing up, just in case, and go to the pharmacy for advice.

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