My hands are constantly in water and now they are to the point where they are actually bleeding from being so dry. I do use hand lotion throughout the day (a LOT) but no sooner than I use it then my hands are back in water.
I have coated my hands in petroleum jelly, put gloves over that, then wore it overnight. It helps but the first time I wash someone’s hair the cycle starts all over again. Neutrogena™ works best but I go through a tube in 2 days and it’s expensive. I need a cheap (key word here, folks!) hand lotion that works really well. Anybody have any suggestions? Is there a lotion that becomes a barrier of sorts that doesn’t allow water to break it down?
For the record, I have also used Cornhuskers lotion and Udder balm, so please don’t suggest those. Thank you.
MaryAnn
I’m sorry you didn’t win, mom, but I’ll give you a constellation prize! -Greg
Have you spoken to a dermotologist? Seriously, he/she may have the secret you need. Since your hands are in water and possibly chemicals all day, you may need a medical lotion. Either that or get those surgical gloves and explain to your clients that your hands are reaching their limits.
I have seen many a hairstylists hands and don’t now how the heck they deal with it, I have even thought that they should wear surgical gloves for their comfort. I couldn’t stand that feeling, I can’t stand it after just washing one dish in my sink!
I realize this wasn’t much help, but maybe a doc can help you.
I’ve done the Nutrogena trip, too. Didn’t do a damn thing. I use glycerin and rosewater. It’s the only thing that works. You can also get pure glycerine. Most drug stores keep in on the bottom shelf in the hand lotion section. Mix it with water per the instructions on the bottle, or if it doesn’t help, you can make it a bit stronger.
The trouble with Sir Launcelot is by the time he comes riding up, you’ve already married King Arthur.
Only problem is, it will wash off. Can’t think of anything that doesn’t. I like the surgical gloves idea. But it does have more general staying power than any lotion I’ve ever used, and in the wintertime, my skin gets so dry, it cracks and bleeds.
The trouble with Sir Launcelot is by the time he comes riding up, you’ve already married King Arthur.
I have dry skin problems every winter–this year, I’m trying NEW! Suave Skin Therapy Lotion Extra Relief (Healing Formula for Very Dry Skin) and it’s been doing extremely well (much better than last year’s contestant, which was Jergen’s something). I can’t say how well it holds up in water, as I use it after showering and probably don’t wash my hands nearly enough to equal the amount of time you would spend with your hands underwater.
I was going to suggest Eucerin, as well - it is most likely what your dermatologist will give you. It is expensive, but it lasts forever. One secret is to put the cream on after having soaked your hands in warm (not hot) water for a few minutes, patting them dry, and then putting the cream on.
I have always had the same problem… moving away from the desert really helped, but I used to bleed all the time from cracked dry skin… not fun.
If you find anything that works, let me know.
Avon used to have a lotion called Silicone Glove that worked good. Haven’t used it lately though. I’m using both Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion Dry Skin (that is quite a long name hey) and also Curel Skin Healing Stick. The palm side of my fingers are constantly cracking and breaking open during the winter although it’s not as bad this years as last. My doctor used to suggest lotioning them wrap in Saran Wrap then a pair of gloves or mits. That works but it’s annoying, as you probably noticed.
The one problem with sugical gloves, esspecially if your hands are very dry and cracked, is latex dust causing alergies. Many surgeons and chemists have this problem from the gloves they constantly use. (My sister is one of them, add that to the joy that is her constantly agonizing wrists, and she is having a very !fun time.)
>>Being Chaotic Evil means never having to say your sorry…unless the other guy is bigger than you.<<
Narile, they make gloves from other materials now that are better. No latex allergies.
Still I don’t understand what water has to do with your hands getting dry. I stay in the ocean for hours & hours & don’t get dry hands when I get out. Maybe it’s the soap? Some soaps can do it to me.
When I worked as a chemist in a tannery, there was a cream I used called “Kerodex 71” that did the trick. You rub it in up to the forearms, “set it” by running your hands under cold running water for a few seconds, then pat dry. The treatment would last for about 3-4 hours. I didn’t always wear gloves, and it kept my hands soft and non-chapped. I found at at a local pharmacy, but if you can’t find it, email me and I’ll send you a tube.
Prairie Rose
If you’re not part of the solution you’re just scumming up the bottom of the beaker.
Handy- I don’t know how you do it! When I used to surf for extended periods of time, my hands would be dried and cracked afterward. I used to go through a bottle of lotion a week!
The most rewarding part was when I got my money!
-Dr. Nick Riviera
A cheap remedy to use under your cotton gloves at home is (brace yourself) Crisco.
(Butter or regular flavor.If you want your dog to love you, do the butter flavored like me ;)) Lots of dermatologists recommend it for people who suffer from severe allergic reactions. I use crisco on my lips and hands and other body parts too, god knows it hasn’t been used in baking around these parts and I’ve got a vat of the stuff. (Does Crisco go bad?) …leaving the door open for the smartasses on that one…
Try crisco, the gloves and your hands under a heating pad for treatment. Just don’t eat your hands afterwards
RE: Surgical gloves for hair washing. The problem is is that the rubber does not allow you to slide your fingers easily through their hair. This, I learned on me via me coloring my hair and ripping the gloves provided.
I highly recommend going to a dermatologist and see what they recommend. ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES. LOTS OF THEM. Tell them one or two isn’t enough to see any results and you cannot afford any high priced RX’s for your hands that may work on your poor hands.
Also, a late arriving thought into my cranium tonight is : Maybe after all the thousands of heads you have washed you have developed an allergy to the shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays you use. WHEN you go to the Doctor , take a bottle of everything you use during the day with you.
Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Gloves are OUT for me. I can’t stand wearing them when I put color on people. I don’t mean the powder (we have the unpowdered kind) but in that little amount of time my hands sweat and it’s hard to do stuff with them on. I can’t imagine wearing them all the time. There’s no way I’d wash hair with them on…they’d tangle the hair, like Shirley said.
I don’t think I have allergies. These are just plain old dry hands. I’ve seen the hands of people that become allergic. There is a big difference. You should see the hands of my co workers! They feel like sandpaper. I shudder to think how my beautiful hands will be in 5 years!
I used Eucerin years ago. No go. I appreciate the suggestion, though. I will try the other suggestions. Thanks again!
MaryAnn
I’m sorry you didn’t win, mom, but I’ll give you a constellation prize! -Greg
I agree with Shirley on the Crisco if all else fails. I’ve seen it recommended as a frugal treatment for dry skin a few places. I use Vaseline at night just because I work outside a lot in the cold and it works for me. There used to be a lotion called Shepard’s (spelling ?) that was olive oil based that my dermo used to recommend but I don’t know if they make it anymore.
Try using aloe vera directly from the plant. Just break a leaf off, split it lengthwise and apply directly to your skin. The plant is very easily maintained, and the wound you leave is self healing. Although water soluble the juice will afford an amount of protection. Applied before bed time and left on it will amaze you with its healing ability. Plus the cost is a very small amount of water and time.
Have you tried the non-latex gloves that are (I think) made of vinyl? The dentist I work for gets us both latex and vinyl and I only use the latex for when I’m only going to use them for a short period, like cleaning the instruments. My hands sweat and the latex seems to almost melt and get sticky. The other gloves however are not so suffocatingly tight and a lot more comfortable, you do get a bit of air in through the cuffs so I haven’t had a problem with sweating like I do with the latex. Also, they are VERY slippery when wet and I’m thinking they might not be as hard to get through the hair as latex. You can get some free samples to try through the same place you get your other gloves, I’m guessing. A dental supply house, if not.
As far as the cracking skin goes, I’ve found that once the skin breaks and bleeds you have to heal that first before going about re-moisturizing the rest of the skin. What worked for me was Neosporin (the triple antibiotic formula). I’d wear that at night and use regular lotion during the day. (Have you tried a urea-based lotion? That’s what’s most commonly prescribed for super-dry skin, I think. I was able to buy some over-the-counter when I was in Toronto, but I don’t know if you can get it in the states w/o seeing a doctor first.)
“You’ll find the chap stick right next to the public toothbrush on a string.” – Miss Gretchen
