Rash on hands

[Courtney123]

On my son's hands and around my son's hands are red and he says they burn sometimes....what could be wrong with them?? It started about a month ago and it was just in the area where the hand bends at but it has since gotten worse and is spreading (on both hands). My son is only 5 yrs old,  I don't know if that helps with answering the question.  Can u please help!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I cannot confirm anything without examination,but it sounds like irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime. Wash your skin with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat it dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves.If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.

If the irritation persists then pls get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards