Become a nurse with severe eczema?

[Pengirl]

Hi,

Is it possible to be a nurse with severe eczema around the body? (not hand eczema) As in with open skin that may not be able to be covered by clothing? are there some sort of rules about having open wounds while nursing?

I am not asking for advice about treating my eczema, since I have tried it all.

Thanks!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Sorry about your eczema. I had it way back when I was a young adult, and it was miserable. Using zinc in high doses finally got rid of it after trying almost everything on the market.

As to your question: I wouldn't recommend becoming a nurse until you have that under control. It will be tough to get hired with visible open sores, and then there are issues with infection control (and you would be more at risk than your patients). Wishing you the best in your endeavors, and I hope you can get rid of the eczema.

[Pengirl]

Thanks for responding, I thought that would be the answer. I don't think I'll ever truly be rid of my eczema, though it has gotten better.

Interesting that you mention zinc, I will look into it. Very low iron was triggering my eczema into crazy overdrive in the past few years,

Thanks!

[Squidmoma]

Dear Pen Girl,

I say go for it. I am jealous that it isn't on your hands, as that is where mine most often flares up, and nursing doesn't help with constantly having to wash my hands. I would hope that when you started nursing it wouldn't spread to your hands, but there is no telling until you try it, and it would be alot of money before you found out hey this does make my rash worse.

I wouldn't worry about finding a job, most of the managers I have dealt with are understanding, and the infection control department at the hospitals where I had placements and now where I work are willing to work with you to keep you at work(using different soaps, gloves).

It's hard having eczema and thinking that's all that people see in you, but I bet you have numerous qualities that would make you a great nurse, and there are certain jobs where you wouldn't have to worry about your skin becoming more inflamed (maybe public health or telephone nursing).

So good luck on whatever it is you decide to do :) I am curious about how you linked it with your iron, did a physician help you make that connection?