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Protect your hands from direct contact with soaps, detergents, scouring powders, and similar irritating chemicals by wearing waterproof, cotton lined, gloves.
Wear waterproof gloves while peeling and squeezing lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, peeling potatoes, and handling tomatoes.
Wear heavy duty gloves when doing heavy work and gardening. Also wear cotton gloves when doing dry house work.
If you have a dishwasher, use it regularly. If not, let a member of the family do the dishes. Do your laundry by machine, not by hand (continued).
Avoid direct contact with turpentine, paint thinner and paints. Also polishes for furniture, metal, floors, and shoes. When using them, wear heavy duty gloves because they contain irritating solvents.
When washing your hands, use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap such as Dove or Basis. Rinse the soap off carefully and dry gently. All soaps are irritating. No soap is "gentle to your skin." Don't waste your money on special soaps or "soap free" cleansers.
Rings often worsen dermatitis by trapping irritating materials beneath them. Remove your rings when doing house work and before washing your hands.
When outdoors in cold or windy weather, wear unlined leather gloves to protect your hands from drying and chapping.
Use only the prescribed medicines and lubricants. Do not use other lotions, creams, or medications--they may irritate your skin.
Protect your hands for at least four months after your dermatitis has healed. It takes a long time for skin to recover, and unless you're careful the dermatitis will recur.