Background & Objectives: Eczema is an inflammatory skin reaction to exogenous and endogenous factors which originate by processes within the body. One of clinical forms is Dry palmar Eczema. This condition affects housewives and cleaners who frequently immerse their hands in water and detergents. Emollients and topical steroids are used in all cases of Eczema. It is believed that alpha-hydroxy acid agents causes the regrowth and increase the viable epidermal thickness. This study showes the effects of Alpha- hidroxy acids and Vaseline on housewives hand Eczema.

  Methods: At this clinical trial, 22 housewives who had mild dry palmar Eczema were entered to study. One hand was treated by A.H.A (7% glycolic acid) and the other hand by vaselin (placebo) for a month, four times daily. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS soft ware.

  Results: Age mean of patients were 26±2 years. There was a significant relationship between Alpha-hydrocy acid and erythema improvement whith 99% confidence (p<0.01) and also between Vaseline and arrhythmia improvement with 95% confidence (p<0.04). There was a significant relationship between performing preventive recommendation and the decline in the number of complaints (p<0.01). Improvement was seen in the epidermal atrophia in 50% of the cases in Alpha-hydroxy acid group (p<0.0001). Whereas in the Vaseline group' it was not seen.

  Conclusion: Improvement and repair in Damages of stratum corneum of Epidermis by A.H.A agents is better done than through Vaseline. Howere, Vaseline is also effective in decreasing complaints and Erythema.