Skin conditions on the hands cause considerable disruption to daily life. Because the hands are in constant use and often exposed to water and detergents, symptoms frequently resist clearing.

The difficulty is that the visible signs resemble one another. Contact dermatitis, eczema, fungal infection and psoriasis can all involve redness, scaling and cracking.

Different causes call for different treatment. Applying a steroid ointment to a fungal infection may appear to ease symptoms briefly while the affected area spreads.

Specialists advise seeking a diagnosis rather than selecting a medicine by appearance, with microscopy or culture used where needed to identify the cause.

Habits affect the course as well. Wearing gloves for wet work, moisturising after washing and avoiding excessive use of hand sanitiser are the basic measures cited.

Those who handle water or chemicals occupationally see frequent recurrence, and adjusting the working environment is treated as part of the management.

Where symptoms persist or changes to the nails appear, the common advice is not to delay seeing a doctor.