# Oh, the scourge, the heartbreak and embarrassment. And the pain, yes PAIN **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867 "2020-07-20T20:12:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/1 "2020-07-20T20:12:51Z")
I have the dreaded dish-pan hands. Red, raw and burning. It’s bad. I got the O’Keefe’s out. It burnt like fire on my poor hands. Now, see, here’s the thing. I’ve been putting my bare hands in everything I’ve done for years. I have busy hands. Manicures last about half a day on me. I haven’t had red, raw hands since I had babes in diapers and no dish washer in the house. I have 2 dishwashers now. We have been canning and preserving for 2 weeks. Looks like another week of intense work and then the trees start bearing ripe fruit and jamming will start (ugh). That is why my hands have been in lots of water. Hot soapy water. Big pans, thousands of Mason jars and odd shaped implements . None of these go in the dishwasher easily. The dishwashers are needed for the umpteen plates, bowls and glasses these people use around here. The washers run at least once a day(each). I still have pans and skillets to handwash. I’ve always used Dawn liquid. I’ve discovered a new Dawn. It’s called ‘Dawn, platinum Power Wash’ I love this stuff. It’s positively magical. Will power off any mess. Even 3day old dried up cereal in a bowl. Which I found under the couch. (Mr. Nobody struck again) The bottle it comes in has the very satisfying long trigger action. It seems to know how much you need on any dish. I’m telling you it’s super-natural. Alas, it must be this stuff that’s ruining my hands for future hand modelling jobs I may have gotten. I have a box of latex gloves. I’m kinda sensitive to latex too. It might be less of an irritant. We’ll see. I told DIL to order me some Rubbermaid yellow gloves on the Walmart order. I really hate those things. Then, I decided the bushel of tomatoes we pulled this morning needed to be dehydrated. I like sun-dried tomatoes but I’m not set up for that. Son-of-a-wrek said I could use the trampoline. EWWWW. Nope. Too many nekkid feets been on there. He drug out the dehydrator for me. He cleaned it up while I sliced tomatoes. Ouch! Tomatoes burn like hell fire on red, raw hands.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Somebody please come rescue me from my life! I beg you. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/2 "2020-07-20T21:11:58Z")
If you’re sensitive to Latex have you tried Nitrile gloves? they are damn near as cheep these days, as much better for things like carb cleaner or naval jelly that chew up and spit out latex. like these [https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Disposable-Nitrile-Gloves-50-Count-00290-50LBD14/202196087](https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Disposable-Nitrile-Gloves-50-Count-00290-50LBD14/202196087) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/3 "2020-07-20T21:15:24Z")
Lubriderm lotion applied several times a day always helps my chapped hands. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream is better for raw hands. Walmart has it ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/4 "2020-07-20T21:21:44Z")
I once had a severe case of raw and burning hands. I was washing down the walls in my apartment and was using bleach. Well–I didnt’ read the directions and I barely diluted the bleach with water. It was probably something like 90 percent bleach/10 percent water. Didn’t realize the severity until a few hours later and then holy shit! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/5 "2020-07-20T21:27:37Z")
I really like this stuff: > **[Bee Balm Lotions](https://www.beebalmlotions.com/)** > > Durable beeswax cream lotion for dry, rough, and cracked skin. A favorite with potters, nurses, and gardeners. TheCuse, lucky you didn’t gas yourself, also. Bleach is useful if used with caution, but it’s actually pretty nasty stuff. Always, always read the labels, even with common household chemicals; just because it’s on the shelves in the grocery doesn’t mean it’s nontoxic. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/6 "2020-07-20T21:32:01Z")
Mr. Wrekker claims bleach is pure poison. He doesn’t like it in the house. I use it with wild abandon. @wolfman, I’ll get me some of those. Thx. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/7 "2020-07-20T22:15:26Z")
At night, before you crawl into bed, rub cortisone cream into your hands, concentrating on those poor, abused cuticles. That will give the O’Keeffe’s a head start in the morning. Also, it’s time to put all your slave labor to work. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/8 "2020-07-20T22:32:03Z")
Today I made some plantain salve made from coconut oil infused with [plantain](https://www.ideahacks.com/plantain-benefits/) from the yard, beeswax from my own hives, and lavendar and tea tree oil. It’s supposed to be great for bug bites, scrapes, poison ivy, etc. StG ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/9 "2020-07-20T22:43:38Z")
I do like coconut oil. @VOW, the slaves are working. They don’t like it but they work. Hamza, ppb, has stepped up. He’s handy as a shirt pocket. He gets a Stoopid grin when I brag on him. The lil’wrekker will never be ok with manual labor. She’s such a weenie. And complains!! OMG. It is very hot so the dehydrator is a cooler way to preserve. I have it set up in the garage. No large pot of boiling liquid in the kitchen today. Thank heavens. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/10 "2020-07-21T10:39:45Z")
**At least** it isn’t _The Heartbreak Of Psoriasis._ ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/11 "2020-07-21T10:45:35Z")
Bag Balm It’s the best! So great for anything on your skin, it’s been around for several decades, made by/for farmers, naturally antibiotic, and amazingly speeds healing for any cut, scrape, wound. We swear by it at my house. I cannot encourage you enough to give it a try. I promise, you will not be disappointed! ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/12 "2020-07-21T12:22:01Z")
I’ve been reading about plantain, of course it’s growing in my yard, just another vigorous weed I had to ID it first, like I do all the weeds. Illl keep it around now. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/13 "2020-07-21T12:52:02Z")
I’ve used it for bee stings since I started keeping bees last year. But then I usually just pluck a leaf, chew it up and wad the leaves on the sting. I think it really helps take the pain and swelling away. I decided to make the salve partly for convenience, partly to see if it’ll work as well. StG ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/14 "2020-07-21T14:32:33Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > If you’re sensitive to Latex have you tried Nitrile gloves? > like these > [https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Disposable-Nitrile-Gloves-50-Count-00290-50LBD14/202196087](https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Disposable-Nitrile-Gloves-50-Count-00290-50LBD14/202196087) I’ll second this recommendation. I began noticing mechanics, plumbers, etc wearing them so I ordered a few boxes for myself. So nice chopping onions/garlic/hot-peppers/etc and still having clean hands. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/15 "2020-07-21T14:34:52Z")
> [@chela](#): > > I’ve been reading about plantain, of course it’s growing in my yard, just another vigorous weed I had to ID it first, like I do all the weeds. In a corner of our yard I have a 10’x10’ area planted with broad leaf plantain and dandelion, two of our tortoises favorite foods. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/16 "2020-07-21T14:49:18Z")
@Beckdawrek If you ever get a notion to dehydate onions, move the dehydrator as far away from the house as you can! String together every extension cord you own, if you have to! True story: Mr VOW’s stepmom was living with us for a spell, and she acquired a bounty of onions that had to be used right this very minute. I had a nifty Oster Kitchen Center (I still grieve for that gizmo) and a dehydrator, and I gave her the green light to use both. She mowed through those onions and stuffed the dehydrator. It was set up in the enclosed back porch, off the kitchen. The following morning, we all woke with migraines from the intense smell! She moved the dehydrator out to the garage, and the neighbors wanted to know if we had any dead animals anywhere. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/17 "2020-07-21T17:03:12Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > String together every extension cord you own, if you have to! Please ignore this tip and buy an extension cord of the correct length. It’s safer! And I third the nitrile gloves. So much better than latex. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/19 "2020-07-22T04:04:31Z")
Two days of dehydrated tomatoes and I’m done with it. Corn production starts tomorrow. Ugh! I think I’ll have 2 bushels. And the peas keep pea-ing. Butter beans are beaning. If I say I’m planting a garden next year someone should shoot me. It would be an easier death. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/20 "2020-07-22T05:27:39Z")
I would surely hate to shoot you. How about I sit you down in the shade with a tall glass of iced tea and a book til the feeling passes? Booze gets splashed into all subsequent refills, as long as you don’t reach for a seed catalog. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867/21 "2020-07-22T06:08:58Z")
I made pickled serranos. First you have to slice the serranos. I used gloves–and still got blistered hands. Actually had to take off my wedding ring because that area in particular just would not stop burning. It must be not as tough as the rest of my hands…maybe? But wait, I used gloves, how could this happen? And, also, dare I eat the resulting pickled serranos? (I did. Some of them were in fact quite hot. But tasty.) Oh, PS, I used to be a hand model. Ages ago. There is a long, long list of things you can never do if you want to be a hand model. Write with a fountain pen, write with a pencil, play frisbee or tennis or anything that might cause a blister or a callus, wear a ring or a bracelet or anything that might cause one part of your hand and wrist to be a different color on account of tanning–oh, and no tanning. At the time they also didn’t like fake nails, and they did like your nails to be even, so also: anything that might break a nail. Such as opening a car door, tying your shoes, the list goes on… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-the-scourge-the-heartbreak-and-embarrassment-and-the-pain-yes-pain/915867.md?page=2)