Dry, Cracked Hands

[newnurselearningtheropes]

Hi! New nurse here! Recently, my hands have become incredibly dry from overwashing: They are constantly cracking and my skin seems to split a lot, especially around my nails. I know there are already several forums on good lotions, etc., but my question is slightly different and it may sound stupid but please bear with me, I am still learning the ropes!): I am still on classroom orientation, but I am worried about the possibility of my hands becoming dry to the point of bleeding when I get to the floor and accidentally getting my blood on something (Obviously, my blood is disease-free, but I still don't want to feel like I'm bleeding everywhere haha!) I have tried Neutrogena hand cream and that helps, but I feel like I am constantly washing my hands because I see an open red split and fear there might be some blood and so then I rewash them and then the problem worsens. Nurses who have cracked hands (even to the point of bleeding), how do you safely perform patient care?

[Kitiger, RN]

When you have an open area, wear gloves or cover with a bandage. At work, I use New Skin Liquid Bandage or any generic liquid bandage. I can wash my hands as needed for several hours before the liquid bandage gets loose.

When you wash your hands, dry them all the way. Do not wash them more often than necessary.

At work, I put a dab of cream on the back of one hand and then rub the backs of my hands together. This helps moisturize the problem areas while keeping my palms and fingers grease-free.

Use a good hand cream when you go to bed.

Protect your hands from the cold and the wind. If it's cold outside, always make sure your hands are dry and covered.

[amoLucia]

At bedtime, 'a good hand cream' and wear white cotton gloves.

Make your hands nice and slick/goopy, then the gloves.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

7 hours ago, amoLucia said:

At bedtime, 'a good hand cream' and wear white cotton gloves.

Make your hands nice and slick/goopy, then the gloves.

^this. Use a cream made for eczema with colloidal oatmeal, and cheap white cotton gloves.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

Try O'Keeffes Working Hands Hand Cream. It is an American product and is really good.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Udder Balm. If it keeps cows soft and supple- it is good enough for me.??

[GrumpyRN, NP]

2 hours ago, NICU Guy said:

Udder Balm. If it keeps cows soft and supple- it is good enough for me.??

Yeah, I'm a city boy. I would have no idea where or how to get that. ??‍??

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

14 hours ago, amoLucia said:

At bedtime, 'a good hand cream' and wear white cotton gloves.

Make your hands nice and slick/goopy, then the gloves.

I do this, too, @amoLucia

[amoLucia]

For fingertips, I found best to Vaseline the cracked TIPS and then bandaid across them (but a homemade wrapped 'tissue' bandage is best-est). The heavily gooped Vaseline gets into the cracks and makes the skin come back together. This is good at bedtime and when you're not working so everything sinks in.

And now the CRAZIEST remedy - medicated chapstick!!! Buy one designated tube and use it EXCLUSIVELY for your fingertips every chance you get! It puts the wax into the cracks until you just need it again to be reapplied. The tube slips into your pocket unobtrusively and is cheap, easy and quick to use. Doesn't interfere with your sense of touch, nor is it really greasy.

[amoLucia]

Grumpy - you get it in a good drug store, Walmart, grocery, etc. Most stores carry some kind of udder cream.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I like the liquid bandage on any papercuts on my hands before work. If you haven't used it, these products get painted on any nicks or cracks like a clear nailpolish. It burns for a few seconds going on, but really does seal up any cracks and stays in place through multiple handwashings.

Once the dry cracks are healed up, get into the habit of lotion. I like the Neurtrogena Hand cream you are using. If that is not enough, try layer CeraVe lotion on slightly damp hands. Let air dry, then layer the thicker Neutrogena cream on top.

Get into the habit of using gloves for any dishwashing or house cleaning to protect your hands.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

16 hours ago, amoLucia said:

Grumpy - you get it in a good drug store, Walmart, grocery, etc. Most stores carry some kind of udder cream.

There you go... Every day is a school day. ??

I have never seen it (but then not really looking for it) and assumed it was an American thing and not in the UK, but a quick google told me all about it. Thank you.