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Original poster

Hand hygiene with sore/cracked skin

28 replies

HoosierDaddy · 22/12/2018 20:32

Looking for some suggestions /advice.

I have a newly suppressed immune system due to meds I am taking for a LTI. I am now more likely to get colds, I have had two in the last 6 weeks.

I know the importance of clean hands, but I have terrible dry hands, and chapped skin around my nails. Winter makes it worse.

I want to use a gel when out and about, but it makes my skin drier too.

Has anyone any non-drying alternatives?

OP posts:
WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream · 22/12/2018 20:39

Hi, I have eczema so have very dry cracked hands, I can't use normal soaps and just use Dermol 500 for hand washing. Hand gels are also a no-no for me but I've found I can use a hand foam from Boots the anti-viral one with no problems. It's also worth keeping a tub of moisturiser on you so after you wash you can moisturise straight after

Original poster
HoosierDaddy · 22/12/2018 20:42

Thank you - I will look out for those.
I go through loads of hand cream already, I have tubes everywhere

OP posts:
WakeUpFromYourDreamAndScream · 22/12/2018 20:48

Me too! I'm finding O'Keefes (spelling?) working hands moisturiser really good so far, helps to heal any cracks I have quite quickly

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Beauty
NotSureWhoIAmToday · 22/12/2018 20:49

DD really suffered with dry cracked hands when she was little and started toilet training (lots of hand washing). Asked my GP sister who said that using Aqueous Cream as a soap would work. Still clean hands but adding moisture at the same time. We filled a small hand pump with it as her "special soap" and it worked brilliantly.

HildaSnibbs · 22/12/2018 20:53

I'm guessing if you are immunosuppressed you need to wash hands 'properly' with soap and water first but you could use something else after - I have hydromol (I think?) which is a moisturiser and 'soap substitute ') - it's very thick almost as thick as Vaseline! I also slather it on my hands at night and put thin cotton gloves on (from amazon) which does make a big difference. I cut the fingertips off the gloves because otherwise my hands got too hot! It is horrible having cracked skin on your hands, hope that helps.

thesunwillout · 22/12/2018 20:54

Echo Dermol lotion, I have a pump dispenser one, gp prescription.

Original poster
HoosierDaddy · 22/12/2018 21:02

HildaSnibbs - I'm guessing if you are immunosuppressed you need to wash hands 'properly' with soap and water first

Yes, although I admit to being half-hearted about it until now. On my old meds I was fine, it's just since starting these new ones that I have to be more careful. I am trying to get into better habits, but the feeling of dryness is off-putting.

I will do it... I just don't wanna stamps foot

OP posts:
OpalIridescence · 22/12/2018 21:05

I get very sore contact dermatitis on my hands, a doctor recommended body shop hemp soap and cream. Worked really well, doesn't dry hands at all.

Original poster
HoosierDaddy · 22/12/2018 21:09

I have the hemp cream - I love it! Never tried the soap.

I am making notes for the next time I can face the apocalypse that is our local shopping centre...

OP posts:
picklemebaubles · 22/12/2018 21:12

If you constantly reapply handcream, especially a barrier cream like the body shop hemp or one with beeswax, then when you wash your hands the top layer washes off taking the dirt with it, leaving your hands still moist underneath it all. Think in terms of taking the top germy layer off rather than getting down to bare skin.

pileoflaundry · 22/12/2018 21:13

When my hands get too dry I use thin plastic gloves ('disposable' ones like in hospitals), from my local chemist. I keep them on for hours, including when I wash my hands, as then I'm only washing the gloves rather than my (still clean) skin. It gets a bit annoying after a while but makes a big difference.

Ollivander84 · 22/12/2018 21:14

Try gloves in a bottle for through the day then a heavy duty hand cream like neutrogena at night

HildaSnibbs · 23/12/2018 15:42

hoosier I sympathise- my niece is immunosuppressed so at my sister's house I use the antibacterial handwash she has, and at hospital I used the gel stuff even though it was eye wateringly painful on broken skin... definitely try the cotton gloves I wear them during the day too when mine are bad.

Cadsuane · 23/12/2018 16:55

I have bad hand Eczema and when I worked in a hospital I recommend the infection control nurse to use Dermol 500 instead of the usual stuf round the hospital.

Thistles24 · 23/12/2018 17:10

I use lansinoh cream (the one for breastfeeding) on any cracks on my fingers overnight. By the morning there’s a huge improvement. You have my sympathies- hand hygiene and sore hands is a nightmare!

INeedNewShoes · 23/12/2018 17:13

I have very dry eczema and used to be immunocompromised...

I find Carex Original the kindest of the antibacterial handwashes.

I'd advise washing your hands well with this but only when you've been out and about.

Other times at home use emollient (moisturiser) like handwash with plenty of very warm water. This was recommended by my GP.

Instead of the antibacterial gels I favour the Boots antiviral foam which you get in their first aid section as it's viruses you want to avoid. This product certainly used to claim to be the only one to kill noro (the gels don't).

Original poster
HoosierDaddy · 23/12/2018 19:24

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the suggestions! I have compiled a shopping list... should have asked you last week and given it to DH for my Christmas wishlist

OP posts:
SpeedofaSloth · 23/12/2018 19:27

It's old-fashioned but have you tried washing your hands with aqueous cream instead of soap? I find this helpful in winter when my skin starts to crack.

SpeedofaSloth · 23/12/2018 19:28

Sorry - just realised someone already suggested that.

Acopyofacopy · 23/12/2018 19:33

Are you disinfecting your doorknobs and any other handles in the house? This will really make a difference re. spreading of viruses.

Also, try to keep your hands as far away from your mouth as possible.

Don’t use any cream pots (lip balm, face cream), either. Tubes are much more hygienic.

Oldraver · 23/12/2018 19:50

I see someone has already suggested the disposable gloves.

They are Godsend when you hands are cracked and washing irritates them.. Pop them on when doing any jobs you may want to wash afterwards or going to the loo. Just try and minismise the amount of time you wash

Original poster
HoosierDaddy · 23/12/2018 21:26

Stop everything. DH now has my cold. We are all doomed. Disposable gloves won't save me now.

OP posts:
wonderstar1216 · 23/12/2018 23:06

I used body shop cotton gloves at night with my cream on and they help your hands absorb the cream. They are pricey but I found these ones held their shape the best, I think £8

Jack65 · 23/12/2018 23:23

Forget ordinary handcreams, i've been through them all , try 'calmurid'. Available without prescription, about ten pounds for a 100g tube. Use in the morning and then in the evening. I put it on, then wait a couple of minutes for it to absorb and then put the second lot on. Its an absolute miracle worker. You don't need to renew it after washing your hands. If it works for you like it does for me, you can get a 1 litre bottle for around 60 pounds.

Jack65 · 23/12/2018 23:26

Then just use anti bacterial gel as normal when you need to.