The Case for Change in Chronic Hand Eczema

Many people never seek medical attention, while others remain undiagnosed despite moderate-to-severe disease. The true burden of CHE is likely much larger than current estimates suggest.

15%

of people will experience hand eczema during their lifetime.
CHE is not a temporary skin problem. For many patients, it becomes a long-term condition characterised by recurrent flares, ongoing symptoms, and years of impact on daily life.

11–16 Years

the average duration of CHE.
Hand eczema can affect employment, productivity, and career choices. Some patients change jobs, take extended sick leave, or even retire early because of their condition.

1 in 4

patients with CHE may be considered unfit for work.
Visible lesions, pain, and misconceptions about contagion can affect confidence, relationships, and mental wellbeing. Anxiety and emotional distress are common among people living with CHE.

90%

feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their condition.
The gap between diagnosed and self-reported disease highlights substantial underrecognition, delayed diagnosis, and barriers to care.

Only 6%

physician-reported lifetime prevalence.

Lower than patient-reported prevalence.
Indirect costs such as sick leave, reduced productivity, job changes, and early retirement account for the majority of the economic burden of CHE.

50–70%

of the societal cost of CHE is caused by productivity loss.

Steering Committee

Dermatologist, Charité Berlin, Germany

"Hand eczema is a frequent disease with a large impact on quality of life and daily functioning."

Dermatologist, Osnabrück University, Germany

"An important reason why females are more frequently affected by CHE is that females more often perform high-risk household tasks."

Dermatologist, Radboudumc, The Netherlands

"Hand eczema is an enormous problem in occupational health."

Patient advocate, Atopika Institute, Slovenia

"Patients may rely on self-management and underestimate the potential for the disease to become chronic."

Kym Dawson, UK

Maria, 30, the Netherlands

Margaux, France

Jure, 40, Slovenia

Andreja, 69, Slovenia

Jennifer McConnell, Scotland

Mattia, Italy

Carolina, 45, Portugal