Career ending Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Published

I am not actually a nurse but a RRT. I developed allergic contact dermatitis after 5 years of working and cannot use the hospital soap, in which I bring my own. Still using foam and my own soap I cannot get this condition under control, it's been a 1+ year battle. I am allergic to fragrance, balsam of Peru, formaldehyde and a few others chemicals. Does anyone else suffer from this? It affects my daily life and I dread work knowing my hands will be on fire and itch. It's a constant battle and the rashes never have enough time to heal. I know I will have to quit soon, which is making me so depressed. Has anyone had to change careers due to this ridiculous condition?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I'm assuming you are working closely with your dermatologist?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

If you're using your own soap, where is the exposure happening? Do you have a problem with gloves? As the previous poster said, I hope you're working closely with a dermatologist, and I would also suggest an allergist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes I am! She's trying to figure it out but skin disorders like this can be a puzzle, since hands touch everything throughout the day. I just wanted to reach out and see if anyone else has this condition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I am an allergy NP and see this fairly frequently, particularly among hair stylists and people who work directly with chemicals. Health care workers often present with an allergy to soap or hand sanitizer. Has your dermatologist run a search of safe products for you through the Contact Dermatitis Association? I'm not sure what chemicals you are in contact with as an RRT, but could the exposure be happening outside of work?

This really stinks. I hope you are able to figure out how to avoid your allergens and continue working. I'd recommend seeing an allergist if you haven't already for a different perspective than a derm might have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Washing with cool almost cold water helps quite a bit with the itch. I had problems with a particular type of machine coolant in a previous non-nursing job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go to employee health services. They should be able to help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish, they were of absolutely no help. I had to find my own contact dermatitis derm to figure out my diagnosis. I told them I was allergic to fragrance and they gave me a hand sanitizer with fragrance in the ingredients. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, yes I have a list of safe products. I could potentially be having exposure outside of work like you have stated, still trying to figure it out. Before my diagnosis from the derm I went to an allergist. He told me to 1. Use less soap when washing or 2. If I was still having symptoms he would test me for an allergy to dogs. I was disheartened and haven't tried another allergist since.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

There are a bunch or articles and suggestions just on Google here's one

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
Hello, yes I have a list of safe products. I could potentially be having exposure outside of work like you have stated, still trying to figure it out. Before my diagnosis from the derm I went to an allergist. He told me to 1. Use less soap when washing or 2. If I was still having symptoms he would test me for an allergy to dogs. I was disheartened and haven't tried another allergist since.

I am sorry you had a bad experience with an allergist. I assume you've had chemical patch testing done to determine your allergies. One thing I've found helpful for dermatitis is to do wet wrap therapy at night. Put steroid cream on first, then a thick layer of any bland moisturizer that you can tolerate. Then take two pairs of cotton tube socks. Wet one pair and wring out til damp. Put them over your hands, and then put the dry pair over the damp pair. Sleep like that and you will likely see improvement. Unfortunately, avoiding your triggers is the only way to completely resolve the issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Maybe something else is triggering you? I had a bout of contact dermatitis. It started with my bike handles, so I wore gloves whenever I rode my bike, then I started to react to other things as well, and it got very confusing. I couldn't possibly remember every single thing I touched! It settled down for me as I got older.

But I still get contact dermatitis from touching raw shrimp and their shells and I wear gloves when I ride a street bike.

I'm sorry you are going through this.

Editing to tell you all of my known triggers. Don't know if it will help you or not!

Black rubber

Raw shrimp, and many raw fish, especially the spines or shells

Soy in every form. This is a big problem because it is not listed as an ingredient when it is used in topicals and creams.

Nickel

Latex

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion