Dry Hands

[puroticorico, MSN, CNA, RN]

Does anyone have any wisdom on how to heal dry hands and maintain them this way?

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Just used a coupon to get Curel intensive healing - comes in a jar. It's really thick, but amazingly works in and your hands won't be greasy. I love it and use it on my face in places too. You could try Aquaphor but that is very greasy and best to use when you aren't at work. The key is to be consistent. You have to use what ever you choose daily.

[gaonsi]

Vaseline. It's cheap, effective, unscented, and works like a dream. If not, Nivea cream.

[Hygiene Queen]

An overnight treatment that works well (if you can tolerate it) is The Good Ole Vaseline and Sock Trick.

Put the Vaseline on your hands with clean white socks (or cotton gloves) on top.

When you wake up in the morning, the difference is amazing.

Years ago, we only had that really harsh pink detergent-like soap to wash our hands with. It was wickedly cruel to the skin and, even though I tried to lotion with handwashing, my skin would just dry and split and bleed. Very painful.

This Vaseline trick was a godsend to me.

[puroticorico, MSN, CNA, RN]

Does anyone have any wisdom on how to heal dry hands and maintain them this way?

Thanks so much everyone! I have tried absolutely every lotion but I feel like reapplying lotion every time I wash my hands is ridiculous. It may be the soap my hospital uses too.

[champagnesupeRNova]

If you don't reapply every time you wash your hands, they're going to be dry. It sucks. I use Goldbond at work after handwashing and Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve at night. I have to do two surgical scrubs a shift plus handwashing and my hands aren't dry because of this regimen.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Occupational hazzard. Yes, you will have to reapply lotion regularly for it to be effective. My workplace does not allow us to bring in our own lotions: we have to use the one they supply that "matches" our soap.

At home at night -- I either use the Vaseline with gloves ... or I use the original Neutrogena. I like them both and have found nothing that is as good.

llg (nurse for about 35 years)

[Daliadreamer]

I use Lush Dream Cream...I bring it to work and leave it at the nurses station, and everyone uses it, even the MDs. A teeny tiny bit goes a long way, so the $20 it costs lasts forever, I have had it for over two years. It's wonderful and very soothing.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

All the above tricks are great. I have had a life-long relationship with dermatologists. Sometimes a visit with a dermatologist is work the co-pay. Turns out some of my dry skin had an inflammatory component and needed some prescription creams that worked like a charm.

[Rhi007]

Lucas' pawpaw ointment.!!!! I have 6 tubes of that stuff I stash one in my bag 2 at each nurses station and one for the drs. Also there is a container in each resus room

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I got turned on to Neutrogena unscented, the thick stuff in the tube, when Florence and I were in the Crimea together. It is the BEST. A little dab'll do ya and a tube will last you forever.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

I like any lotion with olive oil in it, and failing that, sometimes I just put olive oil itself on, rub it in and go to bed. When I had shingles, and all the recurrences of it, that was part of my remedy. Olive oil in large amounts on the affected skin, and benadryl to sleep. It helped heal the area and kept me from being able to readily tear it open as I tried to sleep.