I don't know why, but in the last year or so my hands have gotten a lot dryer than usual. Normally, dry rough hands wouldn't bother me, except it has gotten to bad that around three square inches on my right hand (and just my right hand) around the thumb is so dry it is literally cracked open and almost constantly bleeding.
For obvious reasons, this is a concern in patient care.
Do any of you all have this problem, and how do you correct it?
ETA: I tried putting Vitamin E oil on the area, was this a bad call? I am finding that it is like pure grease.
When I use alcohol gel my hands get much worse, so I never use it. Just good handwashing and lotion. Still dry, but not cracking, red or bleeding anymore.
I have been using some A&D ointment (the kind without zinc, for diaper rash) with gloves nightly. That stuff works wonders. During the day while I am working I use Neutrogena norwegian stuff, it comes in a small size so it fits in my pocket. I don't moisturize every time I wash my hands because its just too time consuming, but every hour or so I slather some on. It seems like every nurse and aid on our floor is suffering the same dilema. There are lotions bottles sitting everywhere!
Try ingesting Vitamin E. That is what my dermatologist recommended to me. Also, get your blood sugar checked to be sure you are not diabetic. Maybe a urinalysis to see if you are dehydrated in general. Otherwise, drink plenty of real, sure 'nuf water!
You have to try Eucerin's Intensive Repair Hand Cream! Last year a ton of the high school students experinced a bad out break of MRSA. Let me tell you...I washed my hands every second I could. I already have dry skin to begin with so all the washing made my skin crack and peel. I started using the Intensive Repair Hand Cream and it worked wonders. The best thing about the creme is it dosen't leave that oil layer on your hands. Try drawing blood with slippery hands and a screaming four year old...wow!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Zinc Oxide cream works nicely for my dried hands. It's a barrier cream frequently applied to the old buttocks of the incontinent patients at my workplace.
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When I use alcohol gel my hands get much worse, so I never use it. Just good handwashing and lotion. Still dry, but not cracking, red or bleeding anymore.