Chronic hand eczema faces long-term treatment gaps

Further research and clinical trials will address the sector’s unmet needs, an analyst said.

A significant unmet need in long-term management for chronic hand eczema (CHE) presents a clear demand for new therapies, said GlobalData.

Whilst topical corticosteroids are commonly used for their anti-inflammatory properties, their long-term use is limited by side effects such as skin thinning.

Meanwhile, treatments such as emollients and moisturisers provide hydration but don’t address the underlying inflammation.

“Physicians may prescribe immunosuppressants such as calcineurin inhibitors, but their long-term use may have negative outcomes, including renal dysfunction,” said Filippos Maniatis, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData.

“To address the unmet needs in CHE treatment, further research and clinical trials that focus on safety and the patient’s QoL are essential,” Maniatis added.