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Covid

Hand gel that won’t trigger excema

47 replies

Helpmyhair2019 · 07/08/2020 08:36

Hello
Just wondered if anyone new of a hand sanitising gel that doesn’t trigger their excema? I can’t wear my wedding rings at the moment as the excema between my fingers is red raw and flares up especially after a day of being out and about (ie post office/supermarket - nothing exciting!!!) so needing hand gel instead of soap and water.
Thank you!

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Helpmyhair2019 · 07/08/2020 08:37

I mean eczema and knew - bloody auto correct!

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MaybeDoctor · 07/08/2020 08:44

I have eczema and swerve hand gel as much as possible. I wear some nice fabric gloves instead.

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Thisbastardcomputer · 07/08/2020 08:48

I'm the same it stings like hell

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Dogsgowoofwoof · 07/08/2020 08:53

Same here. It’s agony when it seeps into the cuts.

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minisoksmakehardwork · 07/08/2020 09:56

Honestly, I haven't found one yet but the (Superdrug) spray bottle has been a lot less stingy than pouring straight on. I've successfully topped up the bottle from other non spray bottle sanitisers as well.

Personally I've been sanitising when I go into shops, sanitiser and wet wipe when I come out then slap on moisturiser. Otherwise my hands would be in so much pain. Lost of moisturiser when I'm at home and regular applications of prescription steroid cream morning and night. It keeps my hands useable if not eczema free.

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Remmy123 · 07/08/2020 10:05

Thanks don't use any due to this reason

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justtheonethen · 07/08/2020 10:40

The neals yard one is the gentlest on my eczema.


www.nealsyardremedies.com/bath-and-body/body/hand-care/0115.html

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cologne4711 · 07/08/2020 13:27

I'd say just wash your hands but if you need it for your job or because you are often out and about without access to soap and water you could try either of these:

arran.com/collections/bestsellers/products/hand-cleansing-gel

www.victoriahealth.com/product/DermSafe-Hand-Sanitiser/13574 (v v expensive)

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cologne4711 · 07/08/2020 13:28

Or you could try making your own with aloe vera gel and tea tree oil if tea tree oil doesn't irritate your hands?

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2155User · 07/08/2020 13:40

I can only think that the more liquid spray ones will be less harsh on your skin as you don't rub them in, you just spray them

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kimlo · 07/08/2020 13:49

I've been using sanihands wipes.

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Elsa8 · 07/08/2020 13:55

The Toddle one is really moisturising, it’s the best one I’ve used so far!

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yunalis · 07/08/2020 14:22

Purell is OK for me. Expensive at the moment though.

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Helpmyhair2019 · 07/08/2020 14:26

Thanks everyone. Hmmmm not using it isn’t an option as I’d rather stay safe as I can and I work in a school as well. Don’t gloves just mean if in the unlikely event you do pick up Covid then you are just transferring it from place to place?
We should invent some! It’s obviously needed and there is a gap in the market!
I shall look at the those suggested. Thank you and sympathise to fellow red raw stingy hand sufferers x

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Roseburn · 07/08/2020 14:29

DS works in a shop and was having the same problems. I gave him Occitane Provence hand cream, the 20% shea butter one, and he said it's made a huge difference to his eczema.

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Baaaahhhhh · 07/08/2020 14:31

It's a huge issue. DD had bleeding hands before lockdown due to school alcohol rub. Unfotunately, you need high alcohol content for the gel to be effective, however, that's what causes the dryness and cracks. The sprays are not as effective, you need to rub alcohol in. Gloves are useless, worse than plain hands. My only suggestion is use the alcohol gel first, and then straight after apply pure aloe gel to moisturise and soothe.

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MaybeDoctor · 07/08/2020 14:46

I think it depends on what you are doing and what the specific risks are.

If you are going into a shop and asked to use hand sanitiser to comply with the rules, then I think using a clean pair of gloves should be an acceptable alternative. My gloves are tightly woven opaque fabric, not winter woollies!

If you are working in a higher risk environment, then regular handwashing is probably the road to go down.

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Aurea · 07/08/2020 15:05

This leaves my hands moisturised, sweet smelling and soft.


www.allnaturalpet.co.uk/antibacterial-hand-gel

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MereDintofPandiculation · 07/08/2020 15:29

My gloves are tightly woven opaque fabric, not winter woollies! But unless you have lots of pairs and change them every time you would otherwise wash your hands or use sanitiser, then your gloves are in effect un-washed hands. They may offer you a little protection, but from the point of view of others, you might as well not wear gloves and refuse to sanitise - the tisk to them would be the same.

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MaybeDoctor · 07/08/2020 16:25

I do have a number of pairs. No shop or healthcare setting (I have visited several since lockdown, including doctors) has had a problem when I have explained that I cannot use hand sanitiser but will be wearing gloves instead.

I have dishydrotic eczema that occurs all over the palms of my hands and fingers, so I would be far more likely to spread virus if I had a flare-up as my hands would be shedding fluid and/or blood.

Apologies for tmi, but perhaps it will help a fellow eczema sufferer decide on their own approach.

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AnnaMagnani · 07/08/2020 16:49

As an ezcema person I'd say avoid handgel in favour of washing your hands and moisturising if you can.

Otherwise wash off hand gel and moisturise at first opportunity.

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DebratsEtiquette · 07/08/2020 16:50

Agree on the gloves approach too. A tighter cotton pair inside an outer plastic (disposable) pair. I only go out about once a fortnight though so I’m not going through lots of pairs. In theory I would use hand sanitizer on the outer pair of gloves if an establishment insisted I use it. At my recent dermatology appointment I was told not soap, no sanitizer’ even with the current pandemic. I’m also not convinced many of the above options would be effective against Covid-19.

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TurtleTree · 08/08/2020 09:33

I am having this problem. Ecohydra (Can find it at Boots) is an alcohol free foam anti bac which doesn't irritate me. According to their website it has been proven effective against Covid, although I know some alcohol free ones aren't.

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starfish4 · 08/08/2020 10:57

Following this thread with interest. DD's hands are red raw. Doesn't help she has to wear gloves for work when her hands get hot.

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cantkeepawayforever · 08/08/2020 11:35

Just adding my experience.

I use Cetaphil handwash when water is available (I have some at home and some at work).

I am absolutely rigorous in my usual eczema care routine - Dermol 500steroids as necessary - when at home.

Out and about, I use the 'double gloves' trick - inner thin cotton gloves, outer plastic ones - but treat the outer gloves like I would treat my skin e.g. using alcohol hand sanitiser on them whenever entering a shop. I learned long ago as a scientist how to take off gloves from the wrist without touching the outsides, and throw the plastic gloves away inside out after use. Cotton ones get washed as normal.

It's a pain, but it's a lot better than the alternative.

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