Surely I'm not the only one who....

[perceptionreality]

gets dry and sore hands from washing under water a lot (like for washing that's not just washing your hands iyswim)? When dd3 was little my hands got very rough on both sides from the continual washing of bottles.

I have eczema so use rubber gloves for washing up but even then I seem allergic to the rubber so my hands are getting redder and more sore.

I have a friend who says I'm stupid and should just not use gloves because water is a moisturiser(!)

Sorry, not an important topic I know but I'm begining to think I'm going mad as that concept makes no sense to me.

I live in Indiana USA ...its freezing with very dry air.

Burts Bees shea butter hand cream is the best, you just need a tiny bit!

It actually healed my bleeding hands.

Or...a recent discovery is Coconut oil -fantastic...it has also cleared up totally my DD3's eczema. :)

Its best to go with a natural hand-cream or substance...so you actually heal the problem. Using chemicals (petroleum based products) just treat the surface.

GrendelsMum that would be the triclosan very irritating and drying.

Try using cream BEFORE you do the washing up. Or get a dishwasher

Would second valiumredhead's dishwasher recommendation Otherwise, Lakeland sell good washing-up gloves which aren't cotton-lined but don't contain latex, I've found these really good in the past. Body Shop almond hand rescue cream also great for v dry skin.

Get your kids to wash up!!

Tyr Lotil cream. I get it in Boots and it's with the E45 or allergy stuff. It's ace.

Thanks for your helpful responses! :)

FuntimewinciesFri 30-Dec-11 13:56:0
I have this problem too and the type of washing up liquid I use makes a huge difference. Fairy is the worst and Surcare is the best IME.

Thanks Funtime, you saved me writing the exact same post.

No more suggestions, (I just get DH to wash up as much as possible!) but just want to add that I have this problem too!

I don't have eczema generally but rubber glove linings can set it off, and my hands get dry at this time of the year. A good rich non-perfumed hand creme helps, but also putting petroleum jelly on the driest bits and leaving it on overnight really helps rehydrate them and stops them getting cracked and sore. Oh and drying your hands properly each time is a must, and wearing gloves always when it's cold outside.

Also when I'm cooking I sometimes rub a bit of olive oil into the back of my hands.

always cover hands with gloves when out side,
wear a heavy cream and cotton gloves overnight.

avoid irritants e.g below,

dont handle raw meat, use a fork to hold still etc
peel potatos under running water, as starch irritates.
dont handle raw tomatos , in supermarket use plastic bag inside out to pick up as they irritate as well.

it can take 6 months for the inflamed skin on your hands to settle, but you must be persistant in regular moisteriser. be careful as inflamed skin can become infected. if thats that case go to gp, get some steriod creams, moisterisers and antibiotic cream.

have had years of sore irritated hands, and now have thin wrinkled skin on hands as a result!

You have my sympathy, it's horrible. I'll second the hemp cream from the Body Shop, it's fabulous. I also got some of the hemp hand wash for Christmas and it's making a real difference.

Another vote for Body Shop Hemp hand cream. Doesn't smell great, but really works.

I am a bit OCD about hand washing and hate the feel of hand cream, so have to force myself to put it on every night when I go to bed. But, if I miss a day of cream, I really suffer.

I get eczema on my hands, especially when pregnant or in cold weather. I find helping hands cream from lush works the best for me.