What Happens After a Telemedicine Visit for Hand Eczema (Irritant/Allergic)

Audience: adult

After a telemedicine visit for hand eczema caused by irritants or allergies, you will usually receive advice on how to care for your skin and avoid triggers. Your healthcare provider may suggest using moisturizers, protective gloves, or specific creams to reduce inflammation and itching. You might also get instructions on how to identify and avoid substances that worsen your eczema. Follow-up appointments may be recommended to check how your skin is healing and to adjust treatments if needed. It's important to watch for any worsening symptoms or signs of infection and seek in-person care if these occur. Telemedicine can help manage many aspects of hand eczema, but sometimes an in-person exam or tests are necessary. Always follow your provider's advice and report any new or severe symptoms promptly.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Increasing redness, swelling, or warmth around the affected area, suggesting infection — seek in-person care promptly.
• Development of pus or oozing sores on your hands — contact healthcare immediately.
• Fever or feeling unwell along with worsening skin symptoms — go to an emergency or urgent care facility.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial evaluation of hand eczema symptoms.
• Reviewing photos or videos of the affected skin.
• Providing guidance on skin care and trigger avoidance.
• Prescribing topical medications and moisturizers.
• Monitoring treatment response through follow-up virtual visits.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing skin patch testing to identify allergens.
• Diagnosing or treating severe infections requiring laboratory tests.
• Managing severe or widespread eczema needing systemic treatments.
• Conducting skin biopsies or other in-person diagnostic procedures.

Understanding Your Diagnosis

Hand eczema from irritants or allergies causes redness, itching, and sometimes blisters or dry patches on your hands. Your healthcare provider uses your history and photos or video during the telemedicine visit to understand your skin condition and suggest care steps.

Treatment Recommendations

Treatment often includes using gentle moisturizers to protect your skin barrier and avoiding known irritants or allergens. Your provider may recommend topical corticosteroids or other creams to reduce inflammation. Wearing protective gloves during activities that involve water or chemicals can help prevent flare-ups.

Avoiding Triggers

Identifying and avoiding substances that irritate your skin is key. Common triggers include soaps, detergents, solvents, and certain metals or plants. Your provider may guide you on how to spot and reduce contact with these triggers in your daily life.

Follow-Up Care

You may be asked to schedule follow-up telemedicine visits to monitor your progress. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, an in-person visit may be necessary for further evaluation or testing, such as patch testing to identify allergens.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If you notice increased redness, swelling, pain, pus, or fever, these may be signs of infection needing urgent medical attention. Severe or widespread eczema might also require in-person assessment and treatment adjustments.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Have clear photos or videos of your affected hands ready to share during the visit.
• List all skin care products, medications, and exposures to chemicals or irritants.
• Prepare to describe your symptoms, when they started, and any changes.
• Note any previous history of eczema, allergies, or skin conditions.
• Find a quiet, well-lit place for the telemedicine visit to communicate clearly.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the treatment plan provided by your healthcare provider.
• Use recommended moisturizers and topical medications as directed.
• Avoid identified irritants or allergens to prevent flare-ups.
• Monitor your skin daily for changes or signs of infection.
• Schedule follow-up telemedicine visits as advised to track progress.
• Seek in-person care if red flags or worsening symptoms develop.

FAQs

Can telemedicine fully treat hand eczema?

Telemedicine can effectively guide the care of mild to moderate hand eczema by providing advice, prescriptions, and monitoring. However, some cases may require in-person visits for tests or treatments that cannot be done virtually.

How do I know if my eczema is getting worse?

Watch for increased redness, swelling, pain, oozing, or new blisters. If these occur, or if you develop a fever, contact your healthcare provider promptly or seek in-person care.

What should I do if I don't know what is causing my hand eczema?

Your provider may suggest avoiding common irritants and allergens and may recommend patch testing during an in-person visit to identify specific triggers.

Are there any home remedies I can use?

Using gentle moisturizers regularly and avoiding harsh soaps or chemicals can help. Avoid scratching and keep your hands dry and protected. Always check with your provider before trying new treatments.

How often should I have follow-up visits?

Follow-up frequency depends on your symptoms and response to treatment. Your provider will advise you, but typically follow-ups occur every few weeks until your skin improves.

Sources

1. Hand Eczema — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Contact Dermatitis — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) — Mayo Clinic.
4. Dermatitis: Overview and Treatment — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical care. Telemedicine guidance can help manage many aspects of hand eczema but is not a substitute for in-person evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment when needed. If you experience severe symptoms or signs of infection, seek prompt in-person medical attention.