My Poor Hands have been Washed Raw

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

At night i've greased my hands with A and and D oinment and either put socks or cotton gloves over them, since it's unrealistic for me to put lotion on if i'm scrubbing all day. I've done this for my feet as well.

Another thing i've done is wash my hands, rinse, and BEFORE drying put lotion on my hands and THEN dry them. Instant relief for me.

One thing you have to watch about lotion is that some types can breakdown latex gloves.

EmmaG, RN · Oct 12, 2007

This may be a contact dermatitis reaction to latex. Could you switch to non-latex gloves and see if that helps?

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

i have the same problem.. my hands are so raw.. thank you all for your tips

EmmaG, RN · Oct 12, 2007

i have the same problem.. my hands are so raw.. thank you all for your tips

Mine were the same; they'd crack and bleed at times. This continued until I started having other symptoms of latex allergy; once I started using vinyl and nitrile gloves my hands cleared and it's never recurred. I always assumed it was from washing so much, but I guess I was wrong.

Also, there is something in those no-rinse hand cleansers so many hospitals are mounting in patient rooms nowadays... I haven't figured out what exactly I'm reacting to, but if I use those (either the foam or the lotion-y types) I end up with a rash, puffy itchy eyes, runny nose... but my hands don't crack like before.

ebear, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

I agree with Emmanuel Goldstein. Sounds like a latex allergy. Vinyl gloves should help alot. There is also a product called NuSkin that is used by hairstylists. It provides a protective covering that is not sticky at all and works great!

ebear

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

I sincerely doubt that it's an allergy. Example: we are doing an IV. I have washed my hands after leaving my last patient's room. Anal SuperNurse Preceptor insists I use alcohol-based cleaner. I then glove. I grab a tissue to scratch my itchy nose, she freaks, I take off the gloves and wash hands again. Dry, glove. Do the IV (all to attach a new tube to the SL) and deglove, wash again. Smack the alcohol wall unit as I'm leaving the room. This. is. one. stinking. screwing in of a line.

I'm going to follow Marie's suggestions, and I'm going to look for a latex-compatible lotion. We have a few pumps around but we need more.

Thanks!

EmmaG, RN · Oct 12, 2007

I agree with Emmanuel Goldstein. Sounds like a latex allergy. Vinyl gloves should help alot. There is also a product called NuSkin that is used by hairstylists. It provides a protective covering that is not sticky at all and works great!
ebear

I love vinyl gloves.

Something I never knew was that nitrile gloves can cause problems in those with latex sensitivity.

"Gloves made from nitrile are produced with the same accelerator mercaptobenzathiazole, as some latex gloves. Persons with suspected irritant or allergic contact dermatitis to latex gloves may also react to nitrile."

RN mom of 2 · Oct 12, 2007

I have this problem and it flares up in the cold/windy months. My hands (especially the right one) have been cracking and bleeding the last few days. Our pediatrician saw my hands one visit and said, "Do you know you have eczema?" I had suffered with this for yrs, but had no idea it was eczema. Frequent hand washing only aggravates it, but you can't get away from that in nursing! Our ped recommended Aquaphor. It's similar to Vaseline, and it's good to use at night before bed, so it can soak into your hands while you sleep. My kids also have eczema (it's genetic), so I got them Mustela Steletopia moisturizing cream. It's expensive, but man.... does this stuff work! I use it on my hands, and I see and an improvement after just one application. These are the only two products I've found that don't burn the skin horribly when first applied. I have also tried prescription cortisone cream and it works well, but I try to avoid it if I can. I hope you get some relief. :)

Oh... and I'm also allergic to latex gloves, but the eczema is a separate issue. Even when I'm not working as a nurse I have these skin flare-ups!

ebear, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

See if you can get an Rx. for Elidel cream. That stuff is AMAZING!!!!

ebear

palesarah · Oct 12, 2007

I don't know about lotions that are compatible with latex gloves (or even why your hospital still has latex gloves at all!) But I've gotten half the nurses on mu unit hooked on Goldbond Ultimate Healing lotion. I have extremely sensitive skin and if I don't use a good lotion, my hands are falling apart halfway through the shift.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

I don't know about lotions that are compatible with latex gloves (or even why your hospital still has latex gloves at all!) But I've gotten half the nurses on mu unit hooked on Goldbond Ultimate Healing lotion. I have extremely sensitive skin and if I don't use a good lotion, my hands are falling apart halfway through the shift.

I really prefer working in latex gloves. They are much closer, to me, to a second set of skin, and much more malleable and workable than vinyl, which I absolutely hate.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'm going to look into the suggested lotions, as well.