Help me save my scaly hands

[Helpmyskin]

The skin on my hands is all scaly and falling off and none of the creams I have tried have helped, I am desperate!

I stupidly used one of those Italian scrubby cloths on them one day when I got ink all over my fingers and had a customer meeting the next day. I scrubbed and scrubbed to get the ink off.

Unfortunately this was MONTHS ago and it hasn't gotten better since. I'm guessing winter isn't helping but also perhaps I scrubbed more than just the top layer and that's what's not repairing?

When I put cream on it stings in places, like I have some micro cuts all over.

I am so stupid, please help!

I couldn't get on with O'Keefes (I could tell I'd got hand cream on) - but this stuff doesn't feel greasy to me

www.amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-Reparative-Glycerin-Essential-Ceramides/dp/B07C5W53C3/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bMNmUb0bplklgQIJeksPyu3HhhN4jqrwu6-CS29hfgEbsNqeMkc367VM-rkGQUvsqbVv7o1wEUobo9GtJyGsjH1Y9p8jxefN1_hguGoEhNXhwnebe5gBs5LMRRp8exoCKneWErtgDKmdoZ0idloVT4XwZHRtXqC3ZCIe2LH971SAne-OI5f0SJOKpMCrlRaXkiXstq797ufUWvQmUwU2Ww.BD7YORbeHtO4vm3B6TdyIsSYicB-IE3cH6tsegxTkiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=cerave+hand+repair+cream&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736977799&sr=8-3

Definitely worth trying a layer and gloves overnight - not sure why but really helps for me at least.

I swear by drought secret! The calming butter and zinc magic creams.
I used the calming butter first then zinc magic on top, (so apply at the same time) I'd wear cotton gloves on hands though as the zinc is messy.

I came on to recommend this. It's brilliant stuff.

My votes is for coconut oil before bed then cotton gloves overnight, but I'm sure the O'Keefes will work!

Aqueous - I have terrible eczema on mine in winter months and they crack and bleed, this sorts them out

Buy cotton gloves and coat your hands at night with lotion of choice then put the gloves on top.
Use the lotions religiously multiple times a day, ideally every time you wash them, absolutely after you shower and before bed.
I actually use the Swedish formula foot cream on my hands. I even use it on my face, it is unscented and it feels really mild, but super thick and really effective.

I've also seen several adverts lately for Stinky Stuff skin stuff and it looks good. Haven't tried it yet but am a fan of their dog ear drops!

Get some cotton gloves from amazon, slather your hands in a thick eczema cream such as epiderm or zeroderm, and leave overnight.

40% urea cream from Amazon works brilliantly for hands as well as heels.

Another vote for udder cream. It's the only thing that sorts my hands out when I get the flakiness and micro cuts. I was at my wits end with it last year, tried every cream going (inc O'Keefes) and nothing made any difference until someone suggested udder cream. Instant relief.

You can get big tubs of it from Amazon, Battles udder cream.

It the o'keeffe's on every night when you go to bed. Put it in your bedside table so you don't forget.

I'd recommend the hemp handcream from The Bodyshop.

The thing that most irritates my hands and stops healing is liquid soap. I can't use it at all when I'm having a flare up on eczema and have to use good old fashioned bars of soap. The most effective thing for my hands has been soap people Camomile Hand balm which brings the redness and dryness down in hours.

Voting for lanolin here. Lansinoh used for breastfeeding is the best hand moisturiser I've found for really cracked skin. Apply it every time you wash your hands.

You need urea 10%. Hydromol Intensive has it.

Also I've used Flexitol Heel Cream on my face for dry patches when I was desperate and it worked (also has urea 10%).

In the future if your hands are dry/flaky in the winter, use a sugar scrub instead of a mit. That way they’ll be exfoliated and the dead skin removed but not scratched up. Follow it up with a good hand cream.

This is what I do. I put cotton gloves on with it so I'm not a sticky mess. Then you can use a lighter cream during the day. I second La Roche posay.

This is a very good point!! Liquid soap and alcohol gels are hideous for your hands...

The only thing that works for me is not using liquid hand soap. Give it a try!

A pharmacist told me to use hydrocortisone cream for a week until cracked bits healed. Then hand cream from a good brand (sorry not recommendations for cream as I am not in UK). Might be worth asking pharmacist for advice?