How to save my hands

shar pei · Jan 30, 2013

When I was a CNA my hands were REALLY BAD. To make a long story short, my microbiology teacher at the time, told me to make sure to rise my hands of the soap REALLY well. Turns our that was part of my problem. I noticed that my hands became better after i made a conscious decision to rinse them longer than what I was previously doing.

I also have to give my hands a little TLC every now and then too. To do so, I take one part sugar with one part olive oil, mix together in a dish, and then scrub and rinse my hands. Olive oil is great for the skin and the sugar scrubs the dry stuff off (makes your hands soooo soft). Afterwards, I apply Avons moisture therapy lotion (i think thats what it is called), wait for it to dry, and then apply Avons silicone glove lotion. Love the silicone glove lotion because it helps protect your hands when you wash them. Sleeping with petroleum jelly and gloves (the ones you can find in the beauty isle) works well too.

Best wishes to you and your lil hands!!

Glycerine82, LPN · Jan 30, 2013

Hello I'm currently a nursing student and my hands are already suffering from being over washed and sanitized. I have the hands of a 70 year old coal miner to begin with and the skin is rough and cracked even further now that I'm required to wash like a fiend. I try to lotion a couple of times during labs and clinicals but I'm still sore and bleeding at the end of the day. Does anyone have a suggestion that could help save my poor hands? I did buy some of that really rich feeling lotion called body butter and started using that at night but can't gauge yet how well it is helping. My hands do drink it up like they'll never see it again but the next school day starts the cycle all over again.[/quote']
Ive known people who swear by eucarin try slathering it on your hands at night and put gloves on or socks should help

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2013

Bag balm works well for chapped hands. Just wear it overnight. It's kind of greasy and smells funny. But, it works!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 30, 2013

I'm a big fan of Gold Bond lotions. They are thick, not watery. Once they dry, your hands don't even feel oily. Good stuff!

07302003, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2013

Mine wouldn't get better this winter, saw my primary care doctor who wrote a prescription for extra strength hydrocortisone cream once daily, it's worked WONDERS!

cherry_blossom · Jan 30, 2013

Try exfoliating them? I exfoliate and then add tons of lotion before bed. You can use store brands for face like st. ives or make your own brand with brown sugar and honey warmed up. I've got 12 yr old hands :)

Prairienurse1989 · Feb 2, 2013

The Body Shop hemp hand repair lotion!

gaonsi · Feb 2, 2013

Some sugar and whatever oil you have will help exfoliate. Then I just use Vaseline. I've found my skin is worse when I use the alcohol hand sanitizer so I try and use soap and water more often. But Vaseline does wonders for my skin. And it's affordable!

TheBlackDogWaits · Feb 11, 2013

If it's bad enough, you'll suffer through petroleum jelly and gloves at night. I am a licensed massage therapist, and have to constantly wash up to my elbows all the time. On top of that, I have a nervous condition that manifests dishydrosis (only mildly, but that is still bad enough for me to need to do something!)..... So, after a busy client weekend, and THEN clinicals, my hands are parched, cracked and even bleeding some days. If I slather petroleum and don gloves overnight, my hands feel like a baby's bottom in the morning. Also, my derm suggested Neutrogena Norwegian formula hand cream. My new best friend.......