Allergic to hand sanitizer

[ama3t]

I'm not sure what to do! I have a history of contact allergies but had been doing pretty good since I had allergy testing and was avoiding allergens. But I just graduated nursing school and started working in a hospital in February.

It takes awhile for the allergens to really get to me, plus I had had a steroid shot in late February, so I had developed a false sense of security that the hand sanitizer was going to be OK even though my dermatologist and I worried it would be an issue.

I hadn't said anything about the allergies to work because for some reason I thought it wasn't going to be an issue as I had gone months without breaking out.

Well today I woke up with my hands so swollen and cracking and broke out I can barely move my fingers. I went to the dermatologist and got a steroid shot but she says she's positive its the hand sanitizer and I can't use it.

First off, I guess I'm going to have to call out my whole three shifts for this week which I don't even have enough PTO for and I feel like makes me look horrible as a new employee.

Also, wth can I do about the hand sanitizer issue. My dermatologist is going to look for a santizer I can use, but in the meantime? I have no idea what to do or if we are even allowed to use a different one than they supply. I emailed my manager explaining everything but I don't know what to do. I cried my eyes out this morning because this is not how I wanted to start my career and I'm terrified that I look horrible or that I won't be able to find a solution...

I don't know what I want anyone to tell me, I guess I just need some support

[KTK157]

What about good ole' fashion soap and water?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Wash your hands with soap.

[registerednutrn, BSN, RN]

Just don't use the hand sanitizer. Just wash your hands with soap and water instead. Should not be a big deal.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

Where I work there are a few nurses who are allergic to the soap and hand sanitizers. They go to Oc Health and are given special hypoallergenic products to use. They have their own personal bottles of it and carry it with them to/from work. One RN puts her name on her bottles and sets them next to the sink. We all understand it's theirs and we don't use it. One RN was also given permission by Oc Health to bring her own product in.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You find what works for you. Get it approved and use it. I have always had sensitive skin. I bought all my own nitrile gloves and kept them in my pocket. I needed to use phisohex soap and I carried that as well. One unit installed a dispenser just for me. I used a non alcohol based fragrance free sanitizer. They are out there.

Let your hands heal and you'll find what you can use. Chin up! ((HUGS))

[ama3t]

I guess I should have been more clear... The soap contains lanolin so I can't use it either as lanolin is one of my allergies. My dermatologist said I had the most positive results on an allergy test she had ever seen and it should would have to search to find something I could use, and that she would probably have to order it from a special pharmacy. I guess I'll just have to continue using what I'm allergic to because that might take a few days...

So I'm working to get a solution I can use but in the meantime its stressful. I either call out or make the situation worse. And I don't want to call out again... But its not just a dry skin issue. My hands crack open, bleed, and weep when this happens. It's disgusting and very painful. Here is an example...

although that isn't me. Mine is more on my fingers and less on my palms. And I know my patients don't want me touching them with my hands looking like that. It's just humiliating.

[RoamFreeRN]

Um, if your hands look even remotely close to that pic then you can NOT work!

I know, at least at the hospital I'm at, working with open wounds is a NO.

I've seen co-workers put on leave by employee health for stitches on areas that could be easily covered ( like upper arm).

Your skin is your most effective barrier against microbes. Even those of us without allergies are encouraged to moisturizer in addition to sanitizing...chapped, broken skin should be prevented. Think about the risks to both you and your patients!

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

What do you wash your hands with at home? What did you do at clinicals in school? Surely this isn't the first occasion you've needed clean hands?

[RunBabyRN]

I've seen nurses carry their own soap and/or sanitizer. Whatever you use at home should be fine. You don't need special soap in the hospital.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Talk to employee occupational health. The hospital might not let you bring in supplies from outside due to infection risk, but if that's the case they will have to supply you w/ a product you can use. It wouldn't hurt to snap a picture of your hands *just in case* your manager gives you any grief. But if your hands look anything like the picture in that link you cannot work like that.

Try not to stress yourself out--it's not conducive to healing, and you've done all that you can for now. Hugs--I hope you get better soon!

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

Most hand sanitizer irritates my skin over time. I have taken to a small bottle of 70% rubbing alcohol. It doesn't eat my hands, and the only drawback is the smell.