Hand hygiene and hand eczema

[primmiemoo]

With regular hand washing strongly advised at the moment, does anyone know what is the best way for somebody with eczema on their hands to keep theirs clean when out and about, please?

The person in question has it badly, cannot bear hand sanitisers, and soaps cause flare ups as well. They wear nitrile gloves and have been washing their gloved hands and using hand sanitiser on them, but gloves cause severe discomfort after a fairly short while because the material isn't breathable. They have tried other sorts of gloves, too, but these bring about painful, weeping flare ups.

Suggestions gratefully received, thanks.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Sorry I cannot help with suggestions

However with washing 10x a day plus, my hands are red raw and the hood lady has been lathering them
With Eucerin cream and it seems to
Help no end

 

[primmiemoo]

I'll suggest Eucherin cream, thanks. I wondered about petroleum jelly or something like unscented Neutrogena, but that doesn't work (I use that when I have had chapped hands, and it works for me).

 

[Wurzeetoo]

Just a thought but have they tried non-latex gloves? Or food grade gloves they have the benefit of no powder in them. I have never had eczema in my life until this year certainly not as bad as your friends but it does burn like hell when I put moisturiser on my skin failing that tea tree oil as antibacterial?

 

[Lofty1984]

Cow salve might be worth a go brilliant on stuff like you describe

 

[Werzle]

Doublebase gel is a lovely cooling cream for inflamed eczema, put some on before putting the gloves on

 

[primmiemoo]

I'm making a list of everything, you lovely people...

 

[Exfarmer]

Have they tried Nivea cream in the dark blue jar. I could not live without it.

 

[primmiemoo]

Have they tried Nivea cream in the dark blue jar. I could not live without it.

I have a strong impression that pretty much everything has been tried, but they've a problem with the usual ingredients in emollient creams.

The biggest worry is the hygiene aspect at the moment, because soaps and length of time of exposure to water can be a problem.

I'll mention everything suggested, though, so thanks.

 

[Exfarmer]

I can honestly say I have tried hundreds of creams. I had a bad accident when I was very young, see my post in off topic “ what is this little chap”
i was advised then that Nivea was the best hand cream and it has worked ever since, but I am sure it does not suit all

 

[Exfarmer]

Another point, I cannot use liquid soap, all liquid soaps are detergents despite the name and are very harsh on delicate skin. If I have to use liquid soaps regularly, my hands will start to crack

 

[puppet]

Cotton gloves when out to protect broken skin, no soap, just plenty water to wash hands. Some steroid cream if it is that bad and bland moisturiser under some cling film for an hour each evening while watching TV.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

I'll suggest Eucherin cream, thanks. I wondered about petroleum jelly or something like unscented Neutrogena, but that doesn't work (I use that when I have had chapped hands, and it works for me).

In our household we find it works well, my wife who eczema uses it every day and now she's started applying it to my hands and it works

Script only though, maybe??

 

[honeyend]

I am not usually in to organic products but they tend to have less additives which react with the skin, or dry it out. I use a childs handwash,https://www.healthpharm.co.uk/products/chf1?variant=31538585141357&om=766 Not cheap but you use less of it. Or I shop around for the cheapest organic on offer
Aveno products are really good for skin, Burts Bees, all the stuff that I was prescibed for my skin condition was horrible and some actually made it worse. I can no longer use E45. Cotton gloves at night.
Some of the foot creams are good, the have uric acid in them and come in bigger sizes, O'Keefes. I have a box with all the ones I tried.
The secret is washing your hands in a good quality handwash, drying them well, creaming and keeping them covered up as much as possible.

 

[Exfarmer]

I am not usually in to organic products but they tend to have less additives which react with the skin, or dry it out. I use a childs handwash,https://www.healthpharm.co.uk/products/chf1?variant=31538585141357&om=766 Not cheap but you use less of it. Or I shop around for the cheapest organic on offer
Aveno products are really good for skin, Burts Bees, all the stuff that I was prescibed for my skin condition was horrible and some actually made it worse. I can no longer use E45. Cotton gloves at night.
Some of the foot creams are good, the have uric acid in them and come in bigger sizes, O'Keefes. I have a box with all the ones I tried.
The secret is washing your hands in a good quality handwash, drying them well, creaming and keeping them covered up as much as possible.

This shows the difficulty of recomending product to others, what works well for some is just the opposite for others.
as I said above handwash is a no no for me. Burts Bees is eulogised by my neighbour, but to me was nasty sticky and useless.
sadly there is no universal panacea.
I do wonder how much washing powders are part of the problem , especially since modern machines are not very effective at rinsing due to their low water usage .
i note the face flannel I use, will react to hand soap when fresh from the laundry.

 

[Gerbert]

My mother has it quite bad at times and also cannot simply use milker gloves as they quickly get wet on the inside, she uses homemade cotton gloves under them, made from old shirts and the like.

 

[primmiemoo]

Definitely does seem that everyone has their own requirements when it comes to eczema. I never knew!

Interesting point about washing powders and eco-wash water cycles. Not sure I'm tactful enough to broach that topic, tbh.

Cotton or bamboo fibre gloves are being looked into, so maybe my friend will find a combination so as to feel that personal biosecurity is covered when out and about.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Find out what triggers it. Try changing all handwash and dishwasher detergents. Change washing powders and conditioners. Same with shower gels and shampoo. If it really persists seek advice from dermatologist or similar. It can be absolute murder I know particularly if you work in anything other than an office. Eczsma and asthma and allergies are closely related, examine your diet and try cutting out various food groups, particularly soya. It is all different for all people.

Pets- try avoiding them.

I know people who cant sleep in clothing at night because the heat causes ecszma on their legs. I know folk who put cream on their hands and sleep in gloves overnight.

Eczsma and asthma are in our family/extended family and they are a sod. I can't touch that spot on flea treatment or I break out in rhe worst rash you ever saw!

I feel the most for the ladies as most cosmetics are loaded with soya, palm, coconut or peanut oils or oat flour along with a list of chemicals as lobg as your arm.

 

[primmiemoo]

Find out what triggers it. Try changing all handwash and dishwasher detergents. Change washing powders and conditioners. Same with shower gels and shampoo. If it really persists seek advice from dermatologist or similar. It can be absolute murder I know particularly if you work in anything other than an office. Eczsma and asthma and allergies are closely related, examine your diet and try cutting out various food groups, particularly soya. It is all different for all people.

Pets- try avoiding them.

I know people who cant sleep in clothing at night because the heat causes ecszma on their legs. I know folk who put cream on their hands and sleep in gloves overnight.

Eczsma and asthma are in our family/extended family and they are a sod. I can't touch that spot on flea treatment or I break out in rhe worst rash you ever saw!

I feel the most for the ladies as most cosmetics are loaded with soya, palm, coconut or peanut oils or oat flour along with a list of chemicals as lobg as your arm.

My friend has said it's triggered by the onset of Spring! It's a sort of dermal hayfever, and that's diagnosis from a specialist eczema doctor. I know other friends have suggested cutting out milk and bread, and one recommending a switch to soya juice - but their suggestions have been politely heard and declined.

Most recent report is that the Doublebase gel will be tried - not heard of that before, apparently - as will bamboo fibre gloves (cotton and silk ones no good), with nitrile gloves on top, that can be kept clean with soap and water or hand sanitiser as needed.

What a rigmarole! Sympathies to those who live with it.

Many thanks for all the help, everyone.

 

[Exfarmer]

My friend has said it's triggered by the onset of Spring! It's a sort of dermal hayfever, and that's diagnosis from a specialist eczema doctor. I know other friends have suggested cutting out milk and bread, and one recommending a switch to soya juice - but their suggestions have been politely heard and declined.

Most recent report is that the Doublebase gel will be tried - not heard of that before, apparently - as will bamboo fibre gloves (cotton and silk ones no good), with nitrile gloves on top, that can be kept clean with soap and water or hand sanitiser as needed.

What a rigmarole! Sympathies to those who live with it.

Many thanks for all the help, everyone.

My wife suffers to a lesser extent , but hers is bought on by Autumn, And she cannot wear animal fibre! It is a misery for those badly affected. Thankfully, neither of us are .
Sadly I think there are many out there trying to cash in on peoples problems with spurious creams, diets etc.