A 50-year-old woman who works as a hairdresser presents with red, itchy, and scaly patches on her hands. She notes that these symptoms seem to worsen when she is at work. What is likely causing her symptoms, and what should be the next steps?
This patient's occupation and symptoms suggest contact dermatitis, possibly due to exposure to hairdressing chemicals. The next steps would be to confirm the diagnosis, possibly through patch testing, and to advise the patient to avoid the allergens or irritants that are causing the inflammation. Protective gloves and good skin care practices, such as using moisturizers and gentle, fragrance-free soaps, may help. Topical corticosteroids can also be used to manage symptoms.