Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy, discolored, scaly, irritated, and inflamed. It is also known as atopic dermatitis. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it is linked to allergies and asthma. Eczema can be managed with a variety of treatments, including medications, moisturizers, and avoiding irritants and allergens.
There are different types of eczema, including hand eczema and atopic hand eczema. Hand eczema can be caused by irritants or allergens, and identifying the cause is important in treatment. Treatment options for hand eczema include emollients, barrier creams, and newer drugs like alitretinoin. Atopic hand eczema responds well to azathioprine.
Patch testing can be used to identify allergens that may be causing eczema. Patients may need to bring in their own products, such as cosmetics or moisturizers, to be tested. Irritant reactions can occur in those with atopic eczema, particularly to metals like nickel, chromate, and cobalt, and are not relevant.
There is no information on specific ingredients or materials that cause or treat eczema in the given search results.