The first cream created to treat hand eczema is to be rolled out on the NHS after winning approval from the health watchdog.
Trials show the cream, delgocitinib, significantly reduces itchiness and redness within days.
Applied twice a day, it also has far fewer side effects than current NHS treatments.
Hand eczema, which leaves hands and wrists weeping, cracked and sore, is most common in people such as hairdressers or cleaners who work with irritating chemicals.
Experts say the drug, which was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) last week, could benefit more than 10,000 British sufferers.
‘Delgocitinib is marvellous because it appears to be very effective and safe,’ says Dr Anthony Bewley, consultant dermatologist at Barts Health NHS Trust in London, who led a major trial of the drug.
Hand eczema, which leaves skin on the hands and wrists weeping, cracked and sore is most common in those who work with irritating chemicals
‘Hand eczema is relatively common but can be so disabling physically, emotionally and economically when it impacts a patient’s work life.’
He adds: ‘As we use our hands so much as a form of communication, they’re almost always on show. For those who work in jobs that can cause eczema flare-ups it can also lead to economic consequences as they are forced to take time off.
‘Patients who took delgocitinib felt they fitted in the world again and could go back to work without worrying about their skin.’
Some 14 per cent of Britons suffer with hand eczema. While eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, affects other areas of the body and is caused by an overreactive immune system attacking the skin, hand eczema is usually triggered by environmental factors, such as using soaps or chemicals.
