Hand Eczema vs Palmoplantar Psoriasis

Inflamed hand skin caused by irritation, allergy, eczema tendency or a combination. Psoriasis affecting the palms or soles, where thick scale and cracking can be disabling.

Research updated 2026-10-23

AI-generated educational illustration: Back of adult hands with dry pink-red scaly eczematous patches, mild fine superficial fissures, no bleeding.

AI-generated educational illustration: Thick sharply defined scaly plaques across the palm and fingers, representing palmoplantar psoriasis.

Key differences What is it?What it looks like Diagrams When it starts Triggers Daily Care Treatment Outlook Complications When to get help Questions

Key differences

The same eight facts on every condition comparison.

Usual age

Any age

Adults

Where

Fingers, palms, backs of hands

Palms and soles

Main sign

Dry, cracked, red or blistered hands

Thick scale and cracks

Itch or pain

Itchy, sore

Painful cracks

Contagious

Long term

Long-lasting; flares with wet work

Long-term, flares

Scars

Who gets it

Wet-work jobs, eczema history

People with psoriasis; smokers

What is it?

Hand Eczema

Palmoplantar Psoriasis

What is it?

What it is
Inflamed hand skin caused by irritation, allergy, eczema tendency or a combination.

What it is
Psoriasis affecting the palms or soles, where thick scale and cracking can be disabling.

What it looks like

Hand Eczema

Both hands viewed from above with pink scaly patches and dry cracked skin.

Hand Eczema Redness, scale, and small cracks extend across the backs of the hands.

Palmoplantar Psoriasis

An open hand with broad pink plaques, thick white scale, and surface cracks.

Palmoplantar Psoriasis Red patches and heavy scale cover much of the palm and parts of the fingers.

Skin tones

Back of adult hands with dry pink-red scaly eczematous patches, mild fine superficial fissures, no bleeding.

In the skin

Barrier damage and immune inflammation affect skin on the hands. Repeated irritation and contact allergy can overlap and sustain the rash.

Immune inflammation speeds skin-cell production on the palms or soles. Cells accumulate in thickened patches that may develop scale or cracks.

When it usually starts

010203040506070+

Hand Eczema. Can start at any age after relevant exposures or barrier damage.

Palmoplantar Psoriasis. Can start at any age, with different patterns at different life stages.

Causes and triggers

Causes

Barrier damage and inflammation can overlap with contact allergy.

Immune inflammation speeds skin-cell turnover; psoriasis is not contagious.

Risk factors

Repeated wet work, Irritating products, Eczema tendency

Family tendency, Immune susceptibility

Trigger

● Hand Eczema

● Palmoplantar Psoriasis

Detergents

Can contribute

Not listed

Friction

Can contribute

Repeated wetting

Can contribute

Not listed

Skin injury

Not listed

Can contribute

Daily Care

Hand Eczema

Palmoplantar Psoriasis

Daily care

Habits that help

Apply fragrance-free moisturizer often and after washing
Use a plain cream or ointment that does not sting.
Wash with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser
Pat dry gently and keep necessary hand hygiene without unnecessary repeated washing.
Protect skin during wet work and cleaning
Use suitable protective gloves; cotton liners and breaks help prevent trapped sweat.
Use a cool damp compress for short-term itch relief
Keep nails short and protect sore skin from rubbing.
Take rings off during washing and dry beneath them
Trapped water and cleanser can prolong irritation; moisturize again once hands are dry.

Avoid

Avoid: Fragrance, harsh detergents and known triggers
Read labels rather than assuming a natural or unscented product is safe.
Avoid: Picking, scratching or deliberately popping blisters
Broken skin increases pain and infection risk.

Habits that help

Moisturize regularly with a plain fragrance-free product
Apply after washing and when skin feels dry or tight.
Keep washing gentle and water lukewarm
Use a non-soap cleanser and pat dry rather than rubbing.
Protect sore skin from friction and minor injury
Comfortable clothing and gentle handling reduce avoidable irritation.
Keep a manageable record of flares and symptoms
Note new medicines, infections or joint symptoms to discuss at review.
Protect painful cracks and reduce pressure on palms and soles
Use suitable dressings, cushioned footwear and task-appropriate gloves; do not cut thick scale with a blade.
Follow the palmoplantar psoriasis care plan
Use thick emollient, protect fissures and reduce repeated friction. Treatment must account for thick skin.

Avoid

Avoid: Picking scale or scratching plaques
Injury can worsen psoriasis and create breaks in the skin.
Avoid: Unsupervised tanning or harsh home exfoliation
Sunburn and irritation can trigger worsening; prescribed phototherapy is different from tanning.

Treatment differences

Evidence labels come from each condition’s own treatment list.

Treatment

● Hand Eczema

● Palmoplantar Psoriasis

Over-the-counter

None listed

Urea moisturizer

Listed

Can soften thick dry scale; avoid irritating open fissures.

Prescription topicals

Site-appropriate topical corticosteroid

Listed

Treats active eczema for a clinician-directed course; strength depends on site and age.

Potent topical corticosteroid

Listed

Thick palm or sole psoriasis may need a carefully supervised course and escalation if function is impaired.

Outlook

Long term

Hand eczema can improve with treatment but often recurs with wet work, irritants or allergens. Barrier protection and prevention remain important after the visible rash settles.

Palm and sole psoriasis can be persistent and may flare again after improvement. Treatment aims to reduce thickening, cracks and pain while preserving hand and foot function.