To not use soap !

[Coronationstreetandtea]

N/c as very outing and don't know anyone else in this situation .
I get terrible dermatitis / eczema on my hands . They bleed crack and I get infections . I have tried everything . Under a specialist . They think I'm either alergic to the soap or my skin is so sensitive it just destroys it . I can't use hand sanitizer as it stings and burns . They initially have advised I just use water and not to hot water to wash my hands . When I said I was worried regarding germs( have dc ) they suggested I use my imoliant moisturise as a soap substitute instead . Advised Not to use hand sanitizer as many contain ingredients that will damage my skin . Have to say since Iv started my skin has improved , but it goes against the grain of what are advised in general . Has anyone else been advised this ? Any way round it as I worry about the germ issue . Surely imoliant a can't get rid of them ?

[Ahickiefromkinickie]

I have mild rosacea so use E45 Wash Cream on my face. I think it would clean hands too.

I know someone who uses Sanex handwash for their dermatitis.

I don't like hand sanitiser.

Hope you find something that helps!

[elodie2000]

I never use actual soap. As in bars.

Doctors can prescribe/ suggest alternative cleansers.
I use a mild shower creme. It's trial and error until you find something that doesn't affect you.

[Dawndonnaagain]

I have psoriasis and eczema, lucky me! I use Dermol lotion. It's an antimicrobial emollient and moisturiser. So, you can use it as a soap substitute with water or a hand cream without. I find it really good.

[Dawndonnaagain]

(It's prescribed by the GP, no idea if you can buy it, sorry).

[Mrsmorton]

I use a double base shower gel on my eczema and it's great. E45 is like liquid fire to me.

[harderandharder2breathe]

When I had very bad excema on my hands, I was told to use the moisturising cream they gave me as soap

I would imagine having raw, bleeding hands leaves you more open to infections, so it's better to do anything you can to minimise that

[MouseholeCat]

Watching with interest OP as I've also got horrible hand eczema and cannot seem to make a dent in it.

I gave up using shower gel a year ago and it cleared up the eczema on the top of my arms and my stomach... but the hands are still an issue.

Might try doublebase as a hand wash... already using it to moisturise.

My Dad swears by olive oil... not sure how I feel about that!

[Coronationstreetandtea]

Thought I was going to get flamed for being a bug spreader !
Funny enough I use olive oil on my face as alergic to most moisturisers - I might try it on my hands . A big issue is I can only use tepid water to wash them . I feel so self conscious when out and about

[HappydaysArehere]

I have used Aqueous cream on face and body for years. Not tried it for hands.

[Pluto30]

QV cream, if you can get it.

It's technically a moisturiser, but can be used as a soap/cleanser too. Have used it on my face to remove my makeup for years. It's the best stuff, and dirt cheap.

But, realistically, as someone else said. It's going to be worse if you have cracked/bleeding hands that are open to infection, than not using soap when you wash them.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

What soap did you use before you stopped?

[QueenOfAllBiscuitsandMuffins]

I'm sorry if u already know this but check everything you use for sodium laureate sulphate, that's the harsh stripping ingredient which makes dry skin worse and is what makes soap soap really and is in soap bars, shower gel, shampoo etc (even 'natural ' products tend to have it added -yes I'm looking at you Lush). I haven't used anything with sls in for months on any part of my body and haven't come down with anything nasty yet.

[potoftea]

When my hands are bad I put on moisturiser then latex gloves and leave them on when in the house. I just wash my gloved hands then if I'm preparing food or doing something dirty. I basically treat the gloves like skin. When out of the house I wear gloves as much as possible to avoid needing to hand wash.

[Thinkingblonde]

I don't use soap, I use aqueous cream in the shower. However I recently used Dove shower cream as I ran out of aqueous cream and my skin seems ok.

Interestingly we had our leather suite restored recently and we were advised to only use Dove soap to clean it with. Somethimg to do with the ph balance, it doesn't dry the skin out.
I also use coconut oil on my skin.

[Scentofwater]

I rarely use soap for the same reasons. I'm very careful when cooking to be sure I don't touch raw meat etc. To be honest I don't even wash hands in water often as the water is so drying! Obviously if I'm ill, or using public toilets,or cooking for anyone outside my family I wash hands with soap, but otherwise I just hope it's boosting my immune system!

I like the idea of washing with cream, I hadn't thought of that. Though I had heard that part of washing with soap was that it helped to move/wash away the germs, not actually kill them. So in that case maybe cream would be similar?

[JellyBelli]

They sell huge tubs of immolant cream at most pound shops and you can use it to wash with instead of soap or hand wash.

[carefreeeee]

Don't bother with the soap routinely. If you have cracked hands the bacteria will be hiding in there anyway. Use plain warm water and dry carefully on a clean towel, use moisturiser in between.

If your hands are covered in poo or raw chicken maybe make an exception (but better to wear disposable gloves for those type tasks anyway as same problem with bugs hiding in the cracks still applies!)

[haveacupoftea]

Loads of people use moisturizer instead of soap. Loads of people dont use soap because theyre dirty buggers! I wouldnt worry about the germs.

[Pimmmms]

Have you ever tried pure castille soap? Its made using olive oil and is the absolute gentlest of soap. It takes a hell of a long time to cure so not widely available pure.

[hungryhangry]

I have a perfume allergy (it's very common) so I can't use soap and use natural disinfectants instead. I have a tub of coconut oil in my handbag and use that after washing my hands. In situations where I have to use soap, I moisturise with coconut oil after and it really helps.

I have also found a couple of good hand made soaps made from oil (olive oil for example which are good. Ask in boots, they were a great help for me. Also look in Holland & Barret for their range of hand soaps which are SLS/Paraben/etc free as they may work for you.

[Palomb]

I use pure olive oil soap and it's sorted my skin right out. I normally stock up in France on holiday but you can get it here in H&B. It's dirt cheap.

[hungryhangry]

You should speak to an allergist through the NHS though as you sound like you either have a perfume allergy or an SLS sensitivity. If you do, PM me as I was diagnosed last year and it took me ages to find alternatives for everything so I can probably give you some advice.

[8misskitty8]

Dermal lotion/cream can be used as a soap substitute. It has anti-bacterial properties so would be good for her my hands !
Your go can prescribe it.

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Dermal 500 lotion used as a soap substitute is great as it contains an antimicrobial. Available on prescription from your GP or Dermatologist.

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

That should be Dermol 500