swollen hands during clinicals

Nurse_Ben · Apr 26, 2005

Are you allergic to latex? Try using plastic gloves.

dharma · Apr 26, 2005

Too much sodium always does it to me. I have to be careful with soft drinks. I'm a caffeine junkie that doesn't like coffee. Usually when my hands get swollen like that, drinking more water tones it down. Just a thought...

warrior woman · Apr 26, 2005

Also could be the soap you are washing your hands with. You ARE washing your hands aren't you??? Heh.

nckdl · Apr 27, 2005

i have to use non latex POWDER FREE gloves. Latex doesn't bother my hands but my facility only has powder free non latex gloves.

nursey_girl · Apr 27, 2005

sounds like your retaining water....

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Apr 27, 2005

i am allergic to latex. before i was dx, i started having swollen hands. it went to the point where they started to crack and weep... and it looked like i had dipped them hot water. there was even a line where you could see how i snapped on my gloves... how one side would sort of curl up as i pulled them on. anyway, it was very painful. at first, i was told it was just a variety of factors... the increased handwashing due to increased census, the weather, etc. but i went and had lab drawn.. and low and behold, allergic to latex.

the problem has since stopped since i have tried to avoid latex gloves. i was told to use the hydrocortisone OINTMENT (not cream) and cotton gloves... eucerin cream, and neosporin on the cracked areas. all helped, but avoiding the latex has done the best!

ARNPsomeday · Apr 27, 2005

time4mydream,

do your feel swell too?

rach_nc_03 · Apr 27, 2005

i am allergic to latex. before i was dx, i started having swollen hands. it went to the point where they started to crack and weep... and it looked like i had dipped them hot water. there was even a line where you could see how i snapped on my gloves... how one side would sort of curl up as i pulled them on. anyway, it was very painful. at first, i was told it was just a variety of factors... the increased handwashing due to increased census, the weather, etc. but i went and had lab drawn.. and low and behold, allergic to latex.
the problem has since stopped since i have tried to avoid latex gloves. i was told to use the hydrocortisone OINTMENT (not cream) and cotton gloves... eucerin cream, and neosporin on the cracked areas. all helped, but avoiding the latex has done the best!

one of my coworkers had similar problems, and eventually was diagnosed with eczema. she said that she also is allergic to latex, but vinyl gloves, combined with sweaty hands, also gives her problems.

she does a lot of the same stuff as jeepgirl, with the gloves, topical steroids, etc...but hers keeps coming back. she also said hers started with swelling hands, and with tiny blisters on her palms and the sides of her fingers, something I'd never heard related to eczema.

I think latex is the most probable cause, though. it might be worth consulting a dermatologist.

time4mydream · Apr 27, 2005

time4mydream,
do your feel swell too?

i assume you are asking if my feet swell too and the answer is yes. i find that my ankles are swollen too. this is not an everyday thing, but mainly after i have been on my feet for some time.

mysticalwaters1 · Apr 27, 2005

I never notice in clinical but I know whenever i'd work out or go hiking and get hot my hands would swell slightly. Don't know why but only happened with exercise or doing some activity when it's warm outside.

MandyInMS · Apr 27, 2005

My hands/ankles swell during the 12 hr shift but go down after sleeping..mostly when I've eaten too much salt...cut your salt..drink plenty of good ole H2O and see if that helps...if not you may need to go further..see MD for a fluid pill,check up .