title: Hand eczema guidelines based on the Danish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hand eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Classification of hand eczema has traditionally been based both on aetiology and clinical appearance. For 20% of cases, the aetiology is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To suggest a classification based on well-defined aetiology as well as on predefined clinical patterns and on the dynamics of hand eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature studies and discussions among members of the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Criteria are given for the aetiological diagnoses of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands, irritant contact dermatitis of the hands, protein contact dermatitis of the hands, atopic hand eczema and aetiologically unclassifiable hand eczema. Six different clinical patterns are described and illustrated. Suggestions for general treatment principles are given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operational guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hand eczema are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Torkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
authors.forename: Jeanne D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sommerlund
authors.forename: Niels K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Veien
mesh_terms: D003718:Denmark; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010328:Patch Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids