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Original poster

Eczema/dermatitis on hands... heeeeeelllpppp

65 replies

DirtyDeeds · 01/10/2020 19:18

I am in so much pain!!!
I’ve tried:
Hydrocortisone
Cocoa butter
Aveeno
Aesop balm
Hustle butter (!)

I cannot bear it!! Please please advise on anything that could work?!

OP posts:
pinkbalconyrailing · 01/10/2020 19:27

ok.
so is the skin dry/cracked?

for me layering creams helps for dry skin: a body lotion/moisturiser and when that's sunk in a thicker cream/barrier cream on top.

wear gloves for cleaning and washing up, if you can wear cotton spa gloves under marigolds to reduce sweating.
wear gloves outside especially when temps go below 15.

JustSaying101 · 01/10/2020 19:32

I feel your pain. Have you got it on the front of hands or palms, or both? Has the GP prescribed you anything as of yet? Steroid creams seem to work in the short term but then it tends to come back. Plus stress, diet, weather can affect flare ups. Constant hand washing and hand gel due to Covid doesn't help the situation either 😔 Products I've tried that work on rotation are Betnovate, Isomel Gel and Diprobase. I've also tried Childs Hill moisturiser which did work for a little while but not currently. For instant comfort, sometimes a bit of chilled vaseline or emoillent with some gloves on can soothe if itchy.

Original poster
DirtyDeeds · 01/10/2020 19:34

Thank you both
My skin is dried and cracked - it’s mainly between my fingers. I avoid all detergents and use regular soap; used the same stuff all through Covid and it’s only flared up recently (stress won’t be helping!)
I think I need a barrier cream; what would you recommend?

OP posts:

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General health Skin conditions
pinkbalconyrailing · 01/10/2020 19:38

my skin like nivea in the blue pot or weleda skin food

bumblingbovine49 · 01/10/2020 19:39

Mine has flared up recently too despite me continuing to used the same plain soap to wash my hands for a couple of months with very little problem. I have stopped using soap at all and am using epaderm moisturizer cream to wash my hands and them rubbing with epaderm emollient cream . Two weeks of that and it is much better . I also haven't used any hand gel for that time

JustSaying101 · 01/10/2020 19:48

Cetraben and Diprobase have quite a wide range that might be worth a try. Think they are available at Boots/Tesco etc. If it is getting out of control, you may have to go back to the GP and get a topical steroid cream for some short term relief.

Original poster
DirtyDeeds · 01/10/2020 19:51

I’ve found some epaderm so will give that a go - May need to call GP though as it’s red hot and so itchy it’s affecting my sleep! How can a ‘minor condition’ cause such hell??

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 01/10/2020 19:57

I have pompholyx so it's hands and feet! Very painful. I have had so much steroid cream for it that it's ruined the skin on my fingers. I use Child's Farm moisturiser and it is really gentle. It works well. Another thing is using a face serum - I was putting the drops into my palm, spreading it about and then applying to my face. After a week or so I noticed that my hands had healed up. It was a Vit C and hyaluronic acid serum.

giantangryrooster · 01/10/2020 19:58

Worth a try with honey Smile.

TheBabyAteMyBrain · 01/10/2020 20:00

Vaseline intensive care is the only cream that works for me. But I have to be religious with it. Neglect it for a day and it takes ages to get back on top of it.

Sunshine0620 · 01/10/2020 20:01

Child’s farm hand wash (good price on amazon) is the only soap I’ve found that’s kind to my hands; then cetraben on as often as you can. I always suffer terribly in winter; this year it’s been constant. Thanks Covid! Hope you get some respite from it, it really is horrid

artyandtarty · 01/10/2020 20:04

Have you tried sudocrem? It's got potent healing properties.

Also this is worth a look, body shop hemp hand protector, I've seen reviews stating that it's been great for eczema. It's the only hand cream I buy over & over again, it's so hydrating even after just one use, I put it on before bed & I haven't had any hint of dryness since.

https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/hands/hand-moisturisers/hemp-hand-protector/p/p000461?dskid=43700050641524492&utmmplacement=Hemp%20Hand%20Protector&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2IanpoqU7AIVTe7tCh2fsADrEAAYASAAEgKBlDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

busyberightback · 01/10/2020 20:05

Omg !
Did I write this post??

My hands are killing me . I'm on my 8th sr appointment tomorrow, nothing is working.

StormsDontLastForever · 01/10/2020 20:08

100% sudocrem! I would also call doctor and ask for a steroid cream. Sudocrem will help relieve it in the meantime

SlumdogMummy · 01/10/2020 20:08

My hands are super dry from hand washing, hand gel and eczema. This week my GP recommend I use baby wash as a hand soap and flexitol as a moisturiser. Bizarre as it sounds, so far it's working!

MalbecIsMyOne · 01/10/2020 20:09

Another vote for Cetraben!
I’m a nurse and have dermatitis, I only wash with Cetraben and have been given the OK from Occy Health to use at work. Hand sanitizer stings like nothing else though Sad

I have to wear gloves outdoors as soon as the weather turns cold or my hands are dry & cracked within a day or 2. I’ve been using Nursem skin fix cream at night which hasn’t irritated my skin & leaves them as soft as I think they’ll ever get. It’s expensive but a little goes a long way
www.nursem.co.uk/products/nursem-caring-hand-fix-50ml

AnnaMagnani · 01/10/2020 20:09

See your GP. You need more than hydrocortisone for hand ezcema.

No Sudocrem - you need an emollient not a barrier cream. Epaderm is great but you need to apply loads and frequently, and you will likely need a more potent steroid than hydrocortisone.

NeutralJanet · 01/10/2020 20:10

If its hot to the touch it may be infected and need antibiotics to clear up.

mamahibou · 01/10/2020 20:13

Moisturisers can make it nip so something like Epaderm is a good barrier. Like Vaseline.

Dermol soap substitute is fab. I don't use any soap and it makes a huge difference.

Steroid cream for flair ups.

Piritin oral antihistimines for the itch when really bad.

All of this helps but only thing that people works for me is to avoid soap, detergents, anti-bac and hand sanitiser. Nigh on impossible at the moment!

topcat2014 · 01/10/2020 20:13

It is not a minor condition. I see a dermatologist and a therapist for depression caused by it.

Currently using flexitol on feet and backs of knees, and hydrocortisone on hands.

Moisturiser alone will not get rid, but essential to stop it coming back.

Am also on mild doses of chemotherapy drug to suppress immune system

Leah2005 · 01/10/2020 20:13

My DS struggles with this and came back from uni with his hands in a dreadful state. I got him to soak them in Epsom salts and he said the relief was immediate.

Penguin91 · 01/10/2020 20:16

I need to constantly use Doublebase and an emollient for hand washing instead of hand soap. I find that once the dryness is under control the hydrocortisone works better. Hope yours improves!

stgrssl · 01/10/2020 20:23

50:50 emollient ointment as often as you can and every night. It's grease city so wear white cotton gloves on top and don't smoke!

bumblingbovine49 · 01/10/2020 20:27

@DirtyDeeds

I’ve found some epaderm so will give that a go - May need to call GP though as it’s red hot and so itchy it’s affecting my sleep! How can a ‘minor condition’ cause such hell??
As others have saved you may need an antibiotic cream if it is infected to get it under control again or a stronger steroid cream for a while if it isn't infected. I find hydrocortisone cream useless on mine when it flares up