My hands are in bits... Any tips?

[KatnissMellark]

Global pandemic, newborn and a coldsore have combined to result in epic levels of handwashing and anti-baccing (possibly more than is proportionate, but can you be too careful in the circumstances?). I'm making sure to dry thoroughly and using handcream, but still my hands are pretty sore, dry, red and just generally horrible and uncomfortable. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations to keep them in better condition?

Just to check, has anyone else got hands that have 'toughened up' from all the washing and become desensitised to hot and cold?

Normally, having hands that can't feel hot and cold would be something to go to a doctor about, but I've just assumed it's all the handwashing.

My hands were the worst they've ever been, eczema, rheunauds, chapped, purple and bleeding and always sore. I got cicaplast Baum c5 by Roche Posay. You'll generally find it on deal but it's less than ten quid anyway. I also did what everyone above said and changed to solid soap and I also now have avene skin soothing cream and suncream to back it up. I've found that being as dedicated to my hand care as some are to example skincare (face) has helped, last thing before bed and when I have time free I smother my hands in the above cream. They're in amazing condition now, not dry and more importantly not sore. Best of luck OP it's horrible

Have you tried Coconut Oil? At the beginning of lockdown, my hands were in a terrible state with handwashing, sanitising, decorating and contact dermatitis. I used coconut oil and within a week my hands were much better.

Try Winter in Venice hand sanitizer (Costco online). I’m a nurse with eczema and my hands were sore and bleeding using the sanitizer provided at work/ in shops. This one is much less drying and still contains enough alcohol etc.
Also, find a moisturising hand wash and use hand cream after each wash.

@Starface I think the nurse meant Diprobase which my dc had when they were small and prone to eczema .

My hands are prone to eczema and broke out at the beginning. Bar soap, Aveeno hand cream. Anti-bac only after shopping, etc. The better quality ones with aloe Vera are ok. The stuff in shops/hospitals more like pure alcohol.

@Starface meant also to put aqueous cream.

Try Udder cream- yes it's for cows udders but it's amazing

Flexitol is brilliant for cracked skin on hands and feet. L'Occitane Shea Butter handcream is my favourite. Slathering it on then putting cotton gloves on at night can make a real difference.

I have terrible cracked hands, all year round, pre-pandemic. I have found aloe vera gel to be a miracle substance. I tried all sorts of hand creams over the years and never found one that worked but I got a spot of suncream a month or so back and in over the course of a few days of rubbing aloe vera gel into my arms, it also cleared up my cracked hands! I've been using it religiously since and it even got rid of the sore spot I've had for literally years.

Switch your soap to Soaper Duper hand or body wash. It really doesn't dry your hands out, however much you wash them.

Ps I meant to add Moo goo has done wonders for my son's eczema as much as cicaplast has performed magic on my hands. Hope you find something that helps OP!!!

Thank you everyone for the suggestions (and apologies for disappearing!), lots to try here so hopefully I'll get them sorted.

Just popping back to say O'Keefe's working hands is amazeballs! Arrived this morning and has worked magic on my hands today. Thank you!

Okeefes is very good or Vaseline.

I get eczema on my hands so it’s a constant battle at the best of times. Get dermal 500 from the chemist and use as a hand soap substitute. My occupational health at work (NHS clinical) also told me to use this so it does the job in terms of germs.

When it’s bad don’t be shy with the steroid. Steroids only cause long term damage when used for for years on end. Get a steroid in ointment form not cream if poss. You can get hydrocortisone without a prescription but go to the dr if necessary. Leave 5 min. Slather on moisturiser. I like aveeno. It’s just the right level of thickness for hand cream for me but whatever you like as long as it’s not full of nasties. Someone upthread said e45. That has lanolin. Some people are allergic to that so check ingredients. Put cotton gloves on after moisturizer at night.

I hate to say it but maybe don’t wash quite so much. It’s risk v benefit. If you are in your home it isn’t necessary all the time.

Glad to hear you're getting some relief OP. Their lip balm is also really good too.