Chronic Hand Eczema Affects 1 in 20 Adults: Trends by Age, Gender, and Geography

Original Article : Prevalence of chronic hand eczema in adults: a cross-sectional survey of over 60 000 respondents from the general population of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK

What are the key takeaways of this article?

A new, multinational cross-sectional study published in British Journal of Dermatology assessing the prevalence of chronic hand eczema (CHE) in adults found an annual prevalence of 4.7% (95% CI 4.6–4.9) among 60,131 participants who self-reported a physician diagnosis of CHE via online survey. Of note, 5.6% (n = 3339/60 131) of respondents’ CHE met the criteria for self-reported disease. Prevalence varied by the 6 countries included, from 3.5% in Germany to 6.4% in the UK. Women were significantly more affected than men (5.6% vs. 3.8%, P < 0.001), a pattern consistent across most countries except the UK, where men reported a slightly higher prevalence (6.6% vs. 6.3%). CHE was most common in individuals aged 30–39 years (6.5%), with prevalence declining in older age groups. The condition was also more prevalent among employed individuals compared to the unemployed (5.3% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001), and in urban compared to rural populations (5.0% vs. 3.7%, P < 0.001), suggesting potential links to occupational and environmental exposures. 

Among the 2,847 participants with self-reported physician-diagnosed CHE, 64.6% reported involvement of the hand only, 12.5% the wrist, and 22.9% both areas. Most participants (62.7%) reported having hand eczema continuously for at least three months and experiencing at least two flares in the past year, fulfilling common clinical criteria for CHE. Another 30.3% experienced at least two flares without meeting the three-month threshold, and 7.0% had continuous symptoms with no more than one flare. These findings highlight the relapsing and chronic nature of the condition.

The higher prevalence in women aligns with existing literature and may be attributed to differences in occupational roles, skin care practices, and healthcare-seeking behavior. The peak prevalence in adults aged 30–39 suggests that exposures related to early working life or childcare may trigger or exacerbate CHE. Urban residents and employed individuals face a higher burden, potentially due to increased contact with irritants and allergens in occupational or environmental settings. Cross-country differences may reflect healthcare system structures, diagnostic practices, and population demographics. For instance, the higher prevalences in the UK and Canada could be linked to primary care–led management that allows for earlier recognition of CHE, and greater public awareness due to the presence of clinical guidelines relevant to CHE.

This study is the first of its kind to apply standardized diagnostic criteria for CHE across six countries and includes a large, demographically diverse sample, enhancing its generalizability. However, it also highlights gaps in care. Many individuals with CHE may remain undiagnosed or undertreated, and the self-reported nature of the data introduces the potential for recall bias or misclassification. Nonetheless, the high prevalence and chronicity of CHE underscore the need for improved prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and effective long-term management approaches, particularly for at-risk populations such as younger working women and urban dwellers. This study is limited by its reliance on self-reporting, leading to potential recall bias or non-response bias. may have rendered inaccurate data. Future research should focus on understanding disease severity distribution, access to dermatological care, and the impact of CHE on quality of life and work productivity.

Publication Date: August 13, 2026

Reference:

Apfelbacher C, Bewley A, Molin S, et al. Prevalence of chronic hand eczema in adults: a cross-sectional survey of over 60 000 respondents from the general population of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Br J Dermatol. 2025;192(6):1047-1054. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljaf020

Summary By: Miranda Branyiczky