dry hands

[qpmz]

I would appriciate any advice on dry hands. I have been nursing now for about 9 months and I feel like my hands have aged 10 years. They are constantly dry from all the hand washing (probably a common problem in this profession) and I have tried everything I can think of to try to "cure" my dry hands. To give some idea about how bad it is I have constantly peeling hands and have gone thru about 8 skin layers since winter started. I use hand cream constatly, have tried sleeping with gloves/socks on with heavy duty hand cream all with no luck. Help!

[tanthalas]

I use Aveeno hand cream and my hands are usually pretty nice the next day. Although, when time gets bad, I break out the trusty A&D jelly - Messy and disgusting but works like a charm.

[nickola]

Haven't heard of this hand lotion before. Where do you get it?

If there isn't a store near you, try http://www.loccitane.com

here's the link for the US http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Default.aspx

[RNperdiem, RN]

Use household gloves to protect your hands on your days off when doing chores like dishwashing.

If the problem does not clear up soon, make an appointment to see the occupational health nurse.

[MIA-RN]

Avon "Silicone Glove" is like a charm for me. I also tried the Glove 'N Care but its really greasy so I don't use it much.

Something to remember is that if you use lotion at work and then wear gloves during patient care, it can cause your hands to get worse if the lotion isn't compatible. (found that out the hard way) So I use only the hospital-provided lotion at work. Not the greatest but the minute I leave I'm slathering on the Silicone Glove.

I second (or third) the idea of seeing a dermatologist. I have a prescription for when the dryness gets to be too much for the lotion to handle.

[TimBukWho?]

I work agency, therefore work many different facilities, and have found that many times it's the soap that affects my skin. There's one facility in particular that I will actually bring my own antimicrobial soap to because if I use theirs my hands are torn up after a 12 hour shift.

[imagr81]

i've been a nurse for ten years and have tried everything! latex is so damaging to my skin and the last two years i've stuck to lotions that contain dead sea water and salt. so i recommend ahava. a lower cost option, which seems just as good is glove'n care hand cream. it's worth a shot and its been the best products for me. hard to find in stores though which is inconvenient so i usually purchase on the web.

[GeauxNursing]

oh! an overnight tx! my nurse makes that same concoction and it is just pointless trying to use it during the day...slimy, greasy, justs makes for icky hands after getting washed. maybe i'll try it for night tx. thanks.

[imagr81]

i'm glad i also found a fan of glove'n care...i believe you are right when you say you only need a little..i bought one tube on finesthands.com over six months ago, use it everyday and still have a lot left..where else can you purchase it? do you see it in any pharmacies or stores?

[Dental Hygienist]

I buy it from the dental supply rep for our office...don't know where else one could get the Glove N Care other than online...

[lainith]

I have tried just about everything possible for my dry skin. I rejoiced when I found a cure for my chapped and dry lips but just couldn't find anything good enough to keep my hands and sky from being dry. I finally found that a combination of St Ive's Intensive Healing and any scented Bath & Body Works Body CREAM (not the lotion) worked for me for everything but my hands. For my hands I just use Jergens Ultra Healing. I wash my hands a lot at my current job and have to wear gloves for most of my shift and this is the only thing that seems to work for me. I almost always combine my "helping" lotions with good-smelling body creams or butters to give a lasting nice scent.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Buy the average size tub of vaseline, regular size tub of eucerin, a bottle of straight vitamin E (I like Walgreen's - Meijers if you can't find it) and sometimes I add a touch of A&D ointment but you can make it without. Doesn't smell all that great with A&D and I made it for years without it.

Someone here recommended A&D and I swear by it!

But I'll bet yours smells a lot prettier.

[Nurse Salt]

Plain old Johnson & Johnsons Baby lotion (not a fancy one, the one in the pink bottle). I use it every day and have been told I have the softest "nurse hands"...