Is it bearable to work in the health field with eczema?

zacarias, ASN, RN · May 13, 2005

I have eczema and work am an RN. You have to take extra care of your hands if you're a nurse in the hospital that's for sure. I don't know how bad your hands are but are you able to use hydrocortisone creme?

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · May 13, 2005

I didn't get it until 27 when I began work on an ICU - I became much more compliant about handwashing because I wasn't running like crazy all shift anymore. I had to use tons of Eucerin at night with gloves, baby oil before work in the AM, using gloves to wash dishes. My NP gave me a precription steroid cream, which helped but burned like hell. I eventually got a paraffin spa which also helped.

I thought it was latex allergy for a while, but using non-latex gloves didn't help. However I think if your skin is constantly broken down you have a much higher risk of getting a latex allergy.

I didn't get eczema this past winter, maybe I stayed ahead of it with the spa and lots of moisturizing. The winter I got it bad I was also planning my wedding, so I was under a lot of stress. I am about to move somewhere with mild winters, so I'm hoping it won't happen again.

Anyway, point being - for me it's manageable, but it took a lot of work and concious effort. When you are working you will have insurance, so you can afford to get meds or see a dermatologist if you need to. If it's only on your hands and responds to treatment, you'll be fine.