By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News
Whether you're a painter, cook, hairdresser, nurse or even a new mom, washing your hands to wash away germs is a must. But some of us are scrubbing a bit too often, and it's leading to an increase in a common, but debilitating condition.
As a physician's assistant, Gilbert Saenz is used to germs.
"We're dealing with sick people on a daily basis. I'm in direct contact with the patients," said Saenz.
In between cases, Saenz scrubs with soap and water. Now, his hands need care.
"Right now they are pretty dry and pretty red," he said.
Saenz has hand eczema which results in red, swollen and dry, crusty skin. And he isn't alone. With more and more Americans entering "hands on" fields like healthcare and cosmetology, many dermatologists are seeing an increase in cases.
"I've noticed about a 25% increase in the number of patients with hand eczema in the past year," said Dr. Sherry Novick Ingraham, dermatologist.
Studies show hand eczema accounts for up to 80% of all cases of skin inflammation.
"Usually it's initiated by over-washing the hands. So every time we wash our hands we actually strip off our skin's protective barrier," said Ingraham.
Another cause of eczema - allergies.
"That could be an allergy to rubber in a glove. It can be an allergy to leather. It can be an allergy to metal," Dr. Jason Reichenberg, American Academy of Dermatology.
Reichenberg says that eczema can lead to oozing cracks.
"I just had a patient recently who ended up hospitalized for this exact reason. Cracks can get infected. We live in world now where staph or MRSA is becoming more and more rampant," said Reichenberg.
That's why prevention and treatment are key. Reichenberg recommends using a gentle cleanser.
"I suggest non-soap cleansers. So if the word soap is on the bottle I would toss that out," said Reichenberg.
"I usually recommend a good ceramide replenishing cream like Cerave every time they wash their hands, re-apply a moisturizer," said Ingraham.
And if your hands are painful or swollen, a dermatologist may recommend steroids for inflammation or a prescription cream.
If you have a mild case of eczema, Reichenberg says simple petroleum jelly can act as a great skin barrier after washing your hands.

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