Expert panel issues practical, steroid sparing guidance for long term CHE care
Have you read this article in March’s JDD? A seven dermatologist panel reviewed the evidence and used a structured Delphi process to develop consensus statements on advanced topical nonsteroidal therapies for chronic hand eczema, with evidence quality graded using SORT. The group reached agreement on six statements that frame the role of these agents as steroid sparing options suitable for long term use in appropriate patients.
Delgocitinib cream, noted as the only topical with regulatory approval specifically for CHE, is identified as an appropriate first line advanced topical option. Clinical trial data summarized by the panel indicate rapid and sustained improvements in erythema, scaling, fissuring, pruritus, and pain, along with gains in quality of life and daily functioning. The consensus also highlights favorable safety profiles for nonsteroidal topicals, with adverse events mainly limited to local reactions and no routine laboratory monitoring required in most cases.
The report emphasizes individualized treatment selection and recognizes that CHE specific data remain limited for many agents, underscoring the need for further research. For practicing dermatology clinicians, the consensus offers a practical framework to consider steroid sparing strategies and to weigh agent specific evidence, safety, and patient centered outcomes when managing chronic hand eczema.
Read the full JDD article for the consensus statements, evidence summaries, and clinical implementation points relevant to CHE management.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2026;25(3):228-233. doi:10.36849/JDD.9807
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