Weird or ND?!

[Bakensmile]

A bit of a weird one and I’m not sure if I have sensory issues or am just an absolute weirdo…

When I was very young (around 6) I started to hate the way paper felt on my hands, this would be especially worse and totally unbearable after washing my hands and drying them. I was fine to wash my hands, the water didn’t bother me but as soon as they were dry it was just the worst feeling in the world I would have to clench them super tight so I sweat a little to re moisturise them. I was too young to communicate how it felt to my parents but started to avoid washing my hands. At one stage I would constantly lick my hands to keep them moist (gross).

Fast forward to when I was slightly older I discovered the wonders of Vaseline and it changed my life. After washing or just randomly when I felt this awfulness on my hands (now started feeling it in between my toes too) I would slap some Vaseline on, rub it in and it helped immensely. I am mid 30s now and still do this. It rules my life to a certain extent. I can’t go anywhere or do anything without making sure I have a Vaseline pot handy. My maternal aunt is actually the same which I didn’t learn until I was older and noticed Vaseline pots everywhere in her house!

My just turned 7 year old has been complaining for a couple of weeks about how her hand and toes feel, especially when she touches paper. I have also caught her licking her hands a few times. I feel awful as I know what she is feeling but I distract her and she seems ok after a little while. I don’t want to introduce Vaseline to her as I know it will be with her for life! I’ve tried using a moisturiser but she said it didn’t help (never did for me either).

Is this a neurodivergent issue? Sensory? I am clueless about SEN. Can this be ‘fixed’? Anyone else experience this?

I don't think using Vaseline makes you ND, no. Lots of people use a moisturiser.

It's funny to read this as when I was younger I started to notice this with soap.

It may be worth looking into an intensive moisturiser like hydromol. Also using a bath oil can be really nice and helps with hydration.

I couldn’t touch newspaper or coins. Now, everything is on my iPad and I use contactless. However, I work in a local charity shop one day a week and many people still pay using cash 🤦‍♀️. I have to get on and do it but then I don’t touch me (itchy nose/hair dangling in my face) until I can wash my hands.

I also can’t bear it when your cuff/sleeves get a little wet when washing my hands. The feeling of damp wrists or water running down towards my elbows is just … 😱

Let her use the vaseline! Maybe she has sensitive/dry skin and would benefit from using sensitive type hand wash which is less drying. Washing powder might also make a difference. Or ask a pharmacist if there is a medicated cream they would recommend.

My DS gets awfully chapped hands in the winter, normal moisturiser doesn't cut it, but if we use this cream called Neuroderm Akut, it works much much better. We put it on 2x per day for him in the winter months. We are in Germany so not sure if it's available in the UK but I expect a pharmacist or GP could advise on an alternative. It could be a form of eczema too.

I don't think this is to do with neurodivergence at all - dry skin is just hereditary and it sounds like it runs in your family. If you let her get into the habit of licking her hands then they'll just get sore, and she'll be much more likely to catch every virus, tummy bug and worm going.