Good hand lotion?

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 25, 2011

Cutemol has really helped my chapped hands. My derm. recommended it to me. I get it off the internet, but you might be able to get it at your pharmacy. Their online service is very good.

Cutemol

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I use the Le Couvent Des Minimes Formula # 102 Honey and Shea. Bath and Body used to carry this, but I think you can only get it from Amazon now.

http://www.amazon.com/Couvent-Minimes-Formula-102-Repairing/dp/B001R747Z4

Apparently the story goes that nuns from a convent in France were getting chapped hands while working the fields in this windy mountainous region. They developed a mixture of shea butter and added honey in order for the lotion to "stick" to the hands well. I don't know if that is true or if it was a selling point, but I use this when my hands get cracked. I scrub a lot in the OR, so my hands get abused pretty often. I will put this lotion on at night and put some gloves over my hands. The next morning, my hands are so soft and supple. I recommended this to a surgeon that I work with as her hands were so dry that the cracks were starting to bleed. After one week of using this lotion, she was better.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

Neosporin ointment is the only thing that helps my hands when they're that damaged.

I second this - and I learned this from an "old nurse" (her words, not mine :redbeathe ) who taught me that Bacitracin did wonders for early skin breakdown if other commonly prescribed creams were not available. Buy cotton gloves at a bath/body store, or cheap thin winter gloves when they're on clearance. Slather up your hands & slip the gloves on before you go to bed.

Personally, Eucerin works wonders for me, but the OP said she had already tried that. I like Bath & Body Works Look Ma, New Hands also.

Nursetastic · Jan 25, 2011

Carmex hand cream. Yep, Carmex has a new hand cream. The only place I've found it is at Walgreen's. It is about $6.50 a tube but I love it. So do my coworkers. It is great and smells good, too. :)

Quark09 · Jan 25, 2011

Thank you all so much for the recommendations! I'm going to start with the first post and start working my way through them - my husband's gonna love this

I appreciate it!

Leanne9463 · Jan 25, 2011

Try "Bag Balm" available at any pharmacy. Originally used in farming to soften chapped cow's udders, but a very effective cream for people as well! Great on severely chapped skin.

jessel · Jan 25, 2011

I am a bartender who is waiting for admission to the rn program- all gen eds and prereqs done- ... i am always washing my hands and also putting them in harsh sanitizers... i swear by Cetaphil.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

A nurse I worked with years ago used to use a hand cream with Eucalyptus oil in it, but I can't remember the name. There are probably all new brands on the internet if you do a search. I'm sure some American pharmacies would carry Australian products with eucalyptus oil in them. The oil is natural and very good for dry skin - the Aboriginal people used it for thousands of years for their skin, hair, nails, used it to treat colds, etc.

If I find a good cream for you, I will post it on here.

jlivermore · Jan 25, 2011

I use medline skin repair cream with olivamine. I find it at my pharmacy here, but is available at walmart, walgreens and online. also like bath and body works Look ma, new hands...

erroridiot · Jan 25, 2011

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry Sensitive Skin - the thick stuff

or

A and D Ointment

Mudder · Jan 25, 2011

Avon's Silicone Glove.......absoulutly the best for everyday nursing hands :) it's only 1.99 and if you watch for the sales, it's .79 cents.....I buy 20 at a time then to last till the next sale......hope this helps!

rudeRN · Jan 25, 2011

A gal at work had the same problem and switched gloves and that helped ALOT! She also uses cornhuskers. The type of gloves does make a difference.