Nappy hands!

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Just wondering what others use to protect their hands. I have two littlies in nappies and am constantly washing my hands. They are splitting at the knuckles, the skin is cracking and peeling on the backs of my fingers and well they are really not looking very manicured at all.

Any suggestions? A good moisturiser? I'm not willing to spend a small fortune. I hate the smell of sorbolene and can't use anything fragranced cos of allergies. I'm using QV wash and lotion and sudocrem when they get really bad.

[gi_jo]

Hi Annamac, try using antibacterial handwash instead of washing your hands. I had this too with my first baby and ended up with an infected finger around the nail.

I use Becoderm which is a concentrated rehydration cream to keep my hands moisturised. The cream is for eczema and dermatitis as well so should be fine for allergies. I think its about $12 for a large tube.

[mim1]

I use Rosken skin repair moisturiser for my hands when I remember. When they get really bad I use calmoseptine zinc cream (from the chemist) and put it on my hands then cover with bandaids. My hands were really, really bad 24 hours ago and I put the cream and bandaids on and took them off this morning. My hands are not 100% but they are a lot better. I also have some cortisone cream from the GP which I use when it gets REALLY bad.

[Ellads]

I had this problem until recently, when a friend suggested changing my soap, i'm trying a liquid castille soap from the health food store, she uses ecostore from the supermarket. It's not cheap but i've watered mine down 50/50 ( one bottle has now given me enough for standard handwash bottles in four different places!)and it is working really well, i noticed a difference within a day! I was just putting up with my hands until DS toilet trained and is washing his hands lots too and he got dry hands all of a sudden so i wanted to do something and knew I wouldn't have time to moisturise all the time, this way I think your not stripping your hands of their oils and so don't need the moisturisers!

[florence]

Barrier cream is the best thing.
I am an ex hairdresser and many hairdressers suffer from having their hands in water alot.
Also, you can get a foam that is like a mouse that also puts a barrier on your hands...dermofilm or something like that? I should imagine there are a few of them on the market.
Also, a medicated cream whilst wearing gloves (over the top) to bed should help in speeding up the rocovery process.
Good luck :)

[Opinionated]

paw paw cream or lanolin on your hands at bedtime, and if you can, during the day as well. When I had more than one in nappies, I went through this as well.

You could try disposable gloves for a few changes to give your hands a break and let them heal.