Please Advise for Nursing with Hand Eczema

[lifestudent]

I am a 25yr old pre-ADN student. I also have dyshidrotic eczema, description below, which means (for me) washing my hands the least amount as possible. When I do wash them I wash them for at least a couple minutes, wait for them to dry, then put lotion on.

"Dyshidrotic eczema is a recurrent or chronic relapsing form of vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis of unknown etiology. Dyshidrotic eczema also is termed pompholyx, which derives from cheiropompholyx, which means "hand and bubble" in Greek.

The etiology of dyshidrotic eczema is unresolved and believed to be multifactorial. It is considered a reaction pattern caused by various endogenous conditions and exogenous factors." - http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic110.htm

...In other words I get pin size blisters that form deep in my skin of my hands and feet that swell depending on the severity of the flareup. I consider my condition mild and I have action plans on how to handle it.

I can wear latex gloves and as long as I can remove them every so often I'm fine. I have medication that helps keep the flare-ups minimal and I don't have distinct flare-ups more than 3 or 4 times a year.

I've committed myself to nursing school, but I want to know your opinions and advice on how difficult clinicals and working in the field with this condition will be.

(And if you have any suggestions for what areas or jobs in nursing I should look into.)

[AKAKatydid]

Wearing gloves will most certainly help your exposure to allergens that might cause a flare up, but I was taught to still wash hands after glove removal. Being a nurse in a traditional hospital means changing gloves and washing your hands a lot, and I'm not sure that would be the best for you. Maybe home care, or other individualized nursing would be a good specialty, as you don't have to bounce from patient to patient dozens of times throughout the day.

Of course, you're probably going to have to spend clinicals at a hospital... I wish I had some great advice to make it easy for you, but I dont.

Make sure that your instructors are well aware of your condition and it is documented clearly in your files! Also, should a flare up occur, have a plan. Most schools do not allow missing clinical days (excused or not) because of the number of required hours. It sounds like these flare-ups happen unexpectedly, so work out with the teacher at the beginning of your semester how he/she would like to handle it. Hopefully they will be receptive and willing to work with you! :)

[SmilingBluEyes]

Before we got those latex-free gloves, I kept my own box for my use. I don't have a latex allergy, but I do have other allergies and sensitive skin. I figure after years and years of use, it may be only a matter of time before I develop allergies to latex. Trying to head that off is a good strategy. Countless nurses through years have become unable to do nursing anymore to do severe and unmitigated latex allergies. It's a serious issue.

[kellyo, LPN]

My husband suffers from the same thing and he's a chef. He gets his gloves from Allederm. He can't wear regular latex gloves at all.

[kellyo, LPN]

The website is http://www.allerderm.com.

[AKAKatydid]

Before we got those latex-free gloves, I kept my own box for my use. I don't have a latex allergy, but I do have other allergies and sensitive skin. I figure after years and years of use, it may be only a matter of time before I develop allergies to latex. Trying to head that off is a good strategy. Countless nurses through years have become unable to do nursing anymore to do severe and unmitigated latex allergies. It's a serious issue.

Wow! This is something I've never heard of before! I guess I always thought if you were allergic to something, you were always allergic to something. Pretty scary thought!! How does one develop an allergy? I'd be interested in reading up on that one!

[sarita279]

Before we got those latex-free gloves, I kept my own box for my use. I don't have a latex allergy, but I do have other allergies and sensitive skin. I figure after years and years of use, it may be only a matter of time before I develop allergies to latex. Trying to head that off is a good strategy. Countless nurses through years have become unable to do nursing anymore to do severe and unmitigated latex allergies. It's a serious issue.

I think this is definitely the way to go. I have very sensitive skin, and although I am not allergic to latex, I am doing everything in my power NOW(I'm a student) to avoid a latex allergy.

I have a very mild case of ezcema as well...I just had a dermatology nurse suggest soaking my hands at night, don't dry them and apply lotion. Then put on cotton gloves and sleep with them on. I haven't tried this yet, but thought I'd throw it out there.