Personal Hand Skin Care

[*Pepper*]

As taught, I religiously wash my hands going in and coming out of residents rooms. Also when changing gloves.

I didn't mind going to sleep with wrinkled fingers, but this morning I awoke with them!

I am a newbie, so would love to hear what those with more experience do. Please tell me brand names that are the best as I will only be washing my hands more often.

What is worst, the soap in the dispensers or the hand spitzers?

Thanks!

[Irishowl]

As far as washing my hands at work I use what is provided, same goes for alcohol rubs. But, I bring hand cream with me and I use it a few times a day and that helps alot. I love the Body Shop's Hemp hand creme. It comes in a large silver tube and a little goes a long way as it is super thick.

[The Bell Jar]

I use Jergens original scent-Cherry Almond.

I think the alcohol gel dries mine out the worst.

[onexmorexgirl]

Im in my CNA course right now, and I'm wondering about lotion. See I have this huge fetish with my hands and face, I can NOT stand not putting lotion on after washing either, it drives me NUTS. So I'm wondering if it okay to put lotion on as much as I need to at work, or is it another way Im going to catch germs? Will I be looked down upon or chastised for doing this?

[casi, ASN, RN]

Im in my CNA course right now, and I'm wondering about lotion. See I have this huge fetish with my hands and face, I can NOT stand not putting lotion on after washing either, it drives me NUTS. So I'm wondering if it okay to put lotion on as much as I need to at work, or is it another way Im going to catch germs? Will I be looked down upon or chastised for doing this?

I don't know if there is any infection control issues with hand lotion, but I do know that a lot of CNAs I work with, includeing myself carry a small bottle of handlotion in their scrub pockets! I doubt anyone will look down on you because their hands will be just as dry and sore as yours are.

For my lotion preference I like Vasaline Intensive Care and Udder Cream

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I like Vaseline's Water Resistant lotion.

[AuntieRN]

The alcohol rubs tend to dry out my hands really bad. Even if I just use it once during a shift.

[777RNThatsMe]

my hands were nice..soft...before nursing school. Since then..can't get my nice skin back...regardless of lotion...but w/out lotion I don't even want to think about it!

Actually re the safety issue, providing it's a non scented lotion you should be able to use it whenever you need I would think...scents may bother patients...with allergies to those chemicals...some are that sensitive...

But also, if you have dried cracked skin it's an opening for pathogens...so best to keep your skin well cared for as much as possible.

[SaraO'Hara]

I carry a pot of Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, and rub some into my hands every couple of hours.

I used to get a dry, red, rough rash on the backs of my hands near the end of each shift from washing so much, but if use the cream, it doesn't happen.

[emllpn2006]

I like the Bath and Body Works lotions that have the hand sanitizer mixed in. But you have to be carefull like another poster pointer out some patients may be allergic to the fragrence. Also the smell may not be good for nausiated patients.

[kmarie724]

We have lotion at the nurses' station and in the staff bathroom for everyone to use. I also always carry some hand cream in my purse. Neutrogena Hand Cream is my personal favorite. A little goes a long way, and it is unsented, it that's an issue for you. I also second the nomination of Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream.

[RGN1]

We are also provided with lotions at each sink & along the walls at some alcohol gel stations, which I use. However, I'm also a great fan of Neutrogena concentrated hand lotion & always put some on before & after work. It has kept my skin fine for all my 10 years in nursing!