The first-ever World Chronic Hand Eczema Day launches on 5 October, as part of a global awareness initiative dedicated to improving understanding of chronic hand eczema (CHE) and the impact it has on people’s daily lives. Bringing together patients, healthcare professionals and advocacy organisations, the initiative calls for greater recognition of a condition that remains widely misunderstood and dismissed.
Hand eczema is an inflammatory skin disease affecting the hands. When the disease persists for at least three months or recurs at least twice within a year, it is classified as CHE. A total of 15% of people will experience hand eczema in their lifetime, and for many it doesn’t resolve. CHE typically lasts 11-16 years, cycling through flares and remission.
Affecting one of the most-used parts of the body, it can affect everyday life in often overlooked ways. More than one in four people living with CHE may be unfit for work. In a Danish study of people with work-related hand eczema, 44% had changed jobs, more than half had taken sick leave and 15% had retired early because of their condition. Nearly nine in ten people with hand eczema feel self-conscious or embarrassed, and indirect costs such as sick leave, lost productivity and career changes drive the majority of CHE’s economic burden on patients and society.
Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive of Eczema UK, said: “Hand eczema affects so many people and it can be incredibly painful and debilitating. Everyday tasks such as washing, making a cuppa and caring for family members can be so challenging when your hands are inflamed, cracked and bleeding, and the intense itch means it’s always on your mind.
The huge impact on people’s emotional well-being is often not acknowledged enough. CHE affects your confidence, relationships, career prospects and more. It can limit people’s ability to work and take part in social activities like sport, which leads to social isolation. Eczema UK is committed to raising awareness and sharing information about CHE, to help people live well with this often misunderstood condition.”
The theme for the inaugural awareness day, ‘More Than Just Hands’ highlights how the impact of CHE extends far beyond visible symptoms.
Despite its prevalence, CHE remains significantly under-recognised. Many never seek help, assuming their symptoms are too mild to matter while others live with a moderate-to-severe disease that simply goes unnoticed.
To mark the launch, a range of resources and activities are available:
- A live webinar, ‘Let’s Talk About Chronic Hand Eczema’ on 5 October 2026 (12:00 EDT / 17:00 BST / 18:00 CEST), bringing together patient and clinical perspectives on the real burden of CHE, diagnostic challenges, and the future of treatment
- Educational resources on the World Chronic Hand Eczema Day website, covering the condition, its burden, and current and emerging management approaches
- Patient resources and practical guidance to support people living with CHE in conversations with their healthcare providers
- Resources for healthcare professionals, including diagnostic and management information
- A dedicated white paper, ‘The Case for Change in Chronic Hand Eczema’, developed with a multidisciplinary Steering Committee of dermatologists and a patient representative.
To learn more about CHE, access resources, or register for the launch webinar, visit https://world-chronic-hand-eczema-day.com/about/
To register for the launch webinar, visit https://world-chronic-hand-eczema-day.com/register-for-the-webinar/