淺談主婦手
Back-to-Basics: Irritant Contact Dermatitis
成因 Causes
「主婦手」的學名是接觸性皮膚炎,成因是雙手經常濕水及長期接觸剌激性的成份例如洗潔精、消毒藥水及化學產品,所以不少家庭主婦、護士、理髮師都受「主婦手」所困擾。
Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by repeated exposure of the hands to irritants such as detergents, household cleaners, disinfectants and chemicals. In many cases, frequent exposure to water can also result in irritant contact dermatitis. Consequently, this condition is very common in some occupations like homemakers, healthcare workers, kitchen workers, and hairdressers.
長期濕水及接觸化學成份會減少表層皮膚的油脂,導致水份流失,皮膚變得乾燥及脆弱。手部皮膚起初會出現皺紋及痕癢,若沒有妥善護理,會相繼出現龜裂,流血及疼痛。其實「主婦手」成因與細菌無關,而且沒有傳染性,不停洗手消毒只會令乾燥情況惡化。
With repeated exposure to various triggering irritants, the lubricating oils are sloughed away from the skin surfaces, damaging the skin’s barrier properties and leaving the skin dry and fragile. Patients with mild cases of irritant contact dermatitis may complain of skin blistering and itchiness. In serious cases, the skin may crack from the extreme dryness, causing pain and bleeding. In contrary to popular belief, contact dermatitis is non-contagious and not caused by an infection.
預防方法 Prevention
要預防「主婦手」,首先要減少接觸剌激性的成份,例如家庭主婦洗碗或做家務時可戴上手套。
To prevent irritant contact dermatitis, eliminating exposure to the causative irritants is crucial. For example, housewives should wear gloves to protect their hands when washing dishes.
若因為職業關係不方便戴上手套,平時要多塗潤手霜,選購潤手霜時可以留意成份,含尿素可加強鎖水效果。塗潤手霜一定要勤力,每日多塗才可保持皮膚濕潤,有助皮膚修復。
In cases where protective wear is not feasible, use of suitable emollients is an effective alternative. For example, emollients containing urea can effectively trap moisture on the skin. Emollients should be applied to the affected area persistently on a daily basis to maintain adequate moisture on the skin in order to enhance healing.
治療方法 Treatment
嚴重的「主婦手」可能需要塗類固醇藥膏,類固醇能夠控制發炎及痕癢,但只可短暫使用,否則會令皮膚變薄,更容易龜裂破損。
Steroid cream treatments are reserved for serious cases of irritant contact dermatitis to reduce inflammation and itching. Steroid creams should be used on a short-term basis, therefore less than 7 days consecutively, as prolonged use can cause thinning of the skin and further worsen the integrity of the skin.
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team