“Living with chronic hand eczema is a daily challenge. The constant itching and pain make even simple tasks like driving or washing my hair in the shower feel impossible”
Chronic Hand Eczema
Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE), also known as atopic dermatitis, impacts just under one-in-twenty (4.7%) people and is characterized by persistent symptoms such as pain, itching, redness, thickening, blistering, swelling, and cracking of the hands and wrists. Despite how disruptive it can be to the lives of those affected, there is currently no FDA-approved treatment specifically for CHE.
Wide Ranging Impacts
CHE impacts numerous areas of a person’s life, including their emotional well-being, personal relationships, and their ability to engage in daily life. In a recent survey of dermatology providers, almost all indicated CHE takes a toll on the emotional health (93%) and interferes with basic daily tasks like typing (92%) for their patients. The effects spill into personal lives as well with three-quarters of providers reporting CHE impacts their patients dating lives (72%) or their relationships with family and friends (72%). Additionally, two-thirds (68%) noted that it can reduce the desire for intimacy with a partner.
Daily Pain
For CHE patients like Monique T., the condition turns everyday tasks into painful ordeals. “Living with chronic hand eczema is a daily challenge. The constant itching and pain make even simple tasks like driving or washing my hair in the shower feel impossible because my hands are so sensitive and cracked that it hurts to touch anything,” she shared. “The hardest thing about having chronic hand eczema is its impact on my financial security. It’s difficult to work full time because I’m self-conscious about my hands and live in fear of having a flare and needing to call in sick or having to mask my pain while interacting with customers or co-workers.”
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Dermatology providers say chronic hand eczema is widely misunderstood and inadequately managed
Research publisher
LEO Pharma is a global leader in medical dermatology who delivers innovative solutions for skin health, building on a century of experience with breakthrough medicines in healthcare. Headquartered in Denmark, LEO Pharma has a team of 4,000 people worldwide. LEO Pharma is co-owned by majority shareholder the LEO Foundation and, since 2021, Nordic Capital.
Methodology
LEO Pharma partnered with Ipsos to field an online, 15-minute, self-administered, cross-sectional survey among healthcare providers (HCPs) currently practicing in the United States between Jan. 10 and Feb. 4, 2025. Respondents were recruited from opt-in panels of HCPs across the country. To participate in the survey, all respondents had to be practicing dermatologists or an NP/PA in a dermatology office and managed at least 10 patients in the past six months with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis on the wrists/hands.
Potential respondents were excluded from participation if they were unwilling to provide informed consent to participate in the study, have an employer-imposed restriction that would prevent participation, were located in Vermont or Michigan (due to transparency reporting laws in these states for HCPs), did not regularly treat patients with atopic dermatitis/eczema, or were unaware of any prescription treatments for moderate-to-severe chronic/reoccurring hand eczema.
The final sample size of 192 HCPs consisted of 100 dermatologists and 92 NPs/PAs practicing in a dermatology office. Survey responses weighted according to regional representation. Findings reflect the opinion of these respondents only.
