Skin disorder r/t frequent handwashing??

[gretchendance]

I'm a new member but an "old" nurse. Two years ago, after 2 12-hr shifts in ICU with an isolation patient, going through many pairs of gloves and handwashings, I developed a very itchy rash on my left hand. OTC topicals helped, but some of the spots didn't disappear. In fact, several spots, which appeared on my right hand as well, stayed for a year!! Asymptomatic, but ugly. Stopped using latex gloves, stopped using the hospital's harsh soaps (alcohol-based foam instead) Eventually went to a dermatologist, who diagnosed Granuloma Annulare. Said he sees it often with nurses, waitresses, child care workers, who wash their hands a lot. Said it's autoimmune, gave me topical steroids. These helped, but required nightly applications covered with gloves for weeks. I was going through a divorce at the time, and so quite stressed, which I'm sure didn't help. So here I am, two years later, happily single again, "back East", glad to have my self back again, but still with outbreaks of Granuloma Annulare.

Has anyone else developed this skin condition? All I can find on the www says it's benign, usually reoccurs, and topical steroids are the tx of choice. Maybe there are other nurses out there who've developed this and we can help each other. It's not painful or itchy, and I don't need to be beautiful, but patients are asking me if I have poison ivy or something!! Let's talk!!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm a new member but an "old" nurse. Two years ago, after 2 12-hr shifts in ICU with an isolation patient, going through many pairs of gloves and handwashings, I developed a very itchy rash on my left hand. OTC topicals helped, but some of the spots didn't disappear. In fact, several spots, which appeared on my right hand as well, stayed for a year!! Asymptomatic, but ugly. Stopped using latex gloves, stopped using the hospital's harsh soaps (alcohol-based foam instead) Eventually went to a dermatologist, who diagnosed Granuloma Annulare. Said he sees it often with nurses, waitresses, child care workers, who wash their hands a lot. Said it's autoimmune, gave me topical steroids. These helped, but required nightly applications covered with gloves for weeks. I was going through a divorce at the time, and so quite stressed, which I'm sure didn't help. So here I am, two years later, happily single again, "back East", glad to have my self back again, but still with outbreaks of Granuloma Annulare.

Has anyone else developed this skin condition? All I can find on the www says it's benign, usually reoccurs, and topical steroids are the tx of choice. Maybe there are other nurses out there who've developed this and we can help each other. It's not painful or itchy, and I don't need to be beautiful, but patients are asking me if I have poison ivy or something!! Let's talk!!

All I really know about this, is, it may take YEARS to abate, with or without treatment. And, extensive generalized GA has been associated with diabetes.

[gretchendance]

All I really know about this, is, it may take YEARS to abate, with or without treatment. And, extensive generalized GA has been associated with diabetes.

Yes, I've heard about the diabetes connection - my sugar's fine, no family history, etc. It's such a bummer that there's really nothing that can be done. Except be thankful it's not something worse.