Oops! -- Severe Hand Dermititis from Dishwashing Etc.

I had a common problem with some cracks so severe that they were bleeding and very painful. I've started wearing gloves for washing dishes-latex free and my favorite product is Lansinoh lanolin. It is totally safe as it's used for dry, cracked nipples and it use it for all cuts, dry skin, etc. When my daughters were infants, I would put it on scratches they would get from their fingernails and they would be healed overnight. You might want to wear some kind of glove if you put it on at night as it is pretty goopy.

Try Aquaphor ointment with cotton gloves at night, and wear rubber gloves while doing dishes. My dermatologist even told me to wear the rubber gloves while giving my kids a bath, but it just felt so strange to me that I couldn't do that. The Aquaphor is great, though, and it will give you a lot of relief. I hope you feel better soon!

I have the same problem caused by the frequent post-diaper change hand washing and dishes. I use the same baby lotion that I use on my kids--Aveeno for Eczema (the one with the navy blue top.) It seems to have lost its effectiveness on my hands, since I've been using it for about 3 years, so I recently started using the Curel product which has also been developed for Eczema. I can't recall the name of it right now, but it's in a dark purple bottle. This seems very helpful, and is also helping my hubby's winter itch that he gets on his legs.

**Correction on the Curel product...it's called Curel Itch Defense, and it's bottle is blue, not purple.**

Aveeno Baby for Eczema is really good. You can also try olive oil. It might be more than dermatitis. Mine turned out to be eczema. Johnson's baby bath made it HORRIBLE. Make sure you are using something like Aveeno bath on your son.

I have eczema and my hands used to crack and bleed in the winter. I use Burt's Bees hand salve. Its made with waxes and oils. Lotions are water based so if you wash your hand alot your going to keep washing it off. I agree with Jenn S about the Aquafor. Its not water based so it remains on your hands longer and has more time to absorb.

I hate rubber gloves but they keep my hands from breaking out. I have sensative skin. Several times a month I have cracks that bleed. Scabs that hurt and burn. I keep lotion on them every chance I get. I also put lotion on them when I wear the rubber gloves. I don't have a favorite brand. I've tried them all from low to high end (price) and prescriptions from my dermatologist. We have a water softtner too and it helps some not much. I hope you can find some comfort I feel your pain.

I second what Jenn S wrote about the gloves at night. It really helps my hands.

Get white cotton gloves (I have gotten them at Bed Bath and Beyond in the past), but if you luck out, they sometimes have them at Dollar Tree. Lather up your hands real well with your preferred cream, and put the gloves on and sleep with them. I prefer Aquafor (it is almost like really thick, smooth Vaseline), but what ever moisturizer you have or prefer will work. I also have started wearing rubber gloves when I do the dishes.

We have 13 week old and my husband and I have gone through the exact same thing. We use Aveeno lotion after washing our hands, and we haven't had a reoccurence since. Good luck to you and kudos on the bfeeding!

Rubber gloves (Platex) for washing dishes should help keep your skin from a source of irritation. Rubber/latex disposable gloves you could use at changing time (like they do at day care centers). Also, just about anything you use for (prevention of) diaper rash would be good to rub into your skin (or wear under cotton gloves at night). I love Bag Balm, but some don't like the smell. Plain Vaseline will not smell much at all. Some people swear by cold cream on their hands, feet and face at night but I'm not sure how well that would work while you are still breast feeding. Aveeno has some great lotions that are fragrance free and hypoallergenic.

The best lotion I use is Aveeno, they make baby products as well. It doesnt contain perfumes so it shouldnt burn. My hands were always so dry and cracking when I was pregnant, it was the best solution for me. Now I swear by it. I used the Aveeno Intense Relief repair cream on my hands, but they have others as well. You should use it everyday and after each handing washing to get your hands back to normal.

Hi J.,

Most dermatitis is like eczema. It's systemic so it comes from the inside out. The dishwashing has just exacerbated it. Are you still on your prenatal vitamin? You need to make sure that your nutrition is actually absorbing, not just for the dermatitis but for your little one. I can also recommend a lotion that will heal from the inside out as well. My 91 year old Dad had extreme eczema and psoriasis for 87 years of his life and finally got relief. I also use it as a diaper cream so it's completely safe.

Regards,

M.

I tried the gloves and cant' stand sleepign with my hands covered. So I wear rubber gloves when I do anything with chemicals or washing dishes.
I use Eucerin, the doctor actually prescribed it.
Do not use hand sanitizer. THey are mostly alcohol and will dry out your hands and cause the chafing and bleeding.

There are certain foods to avoid, and healthy foods that will help, drink at least eight glasses of pure water every day. Specific vitamins can also help. If this interests you let me know and I will send you a list.

I have that same kind of skin and I have found the best thing for me is castor oil and aloe vera gel (either in a bottle or the plant). I put the castor oil on first then the aloe. The aloe penetrates the skin and takes the castor oil in with it. Castor oil is vitamin E oil that has not been processed. It was a life saver when my son had bleeding diaper rash from teething. Even Rx creams didn't work.
Castor oil can be used safely in the eyes!

I was a cosmetologist in Illinois and during the winter my hands would split and bleed from all the shampooing. I would use the castor oil and aloe and wear white cotton gloves overnight and by morning most was healed. I have not found anything that works as well.

Sleep with moisterizing gloves at night time or use when possible, before putting on the gloves slather your hands in vaseline or something like it that won't bother you or your child. Good Luck!! LisaM

I have the same problem. I try to wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning products but it only makes things worse since my hands become irritated from the inside of the gloves. A friend of mine bought me GOLD BOND hand lotion. It is amazing how this lotion soothes my hands and makes the redness, blisters and stops the itching! I have tried many lotions and have even been to the dermotologist many times and used expensive creams. This Gold Bond is the only lotion that works for me. I keep a bottle on my kitchen counter, nightstand and even carry one in my purse. I use it after washing my hands as well as many times throughout the day. I suggest you give it a try. It's worth a shot to see if it helps you too!

My husband has been using GLOVES IN A Bottle which works too. You can find it in nursing stores like srub shops.

I am a mom and an elementary school teacher - so LOTS of hand washing! I use Creamy Vaseline. It is in a navy and white tube and costs about 2.50. It says it is for deep moisturizing. I use it sparingly during the day so I don't feel too greasy. At night I use quite a bit and really rub it in before I go to sleep. Has the same properties as vaseline but not so shiny, slippery,etc.
I also have used it on both my children from the time they were infants when their skin gets dry and/or rough and irritated from the cold. It usually makes their skin nice and soft in a day or two.
Good Luck! I would also invest in a cheap pair of gloves for when you wash the dishes - that can help with prevention.

The aquaphor with the gloves at night really worked for me and I also used Aveeno hand lotion for adults that does not come off when you wash your hands. It has a maroon lid and is with all of the other Aveeno lotion. Also just make sure you really get the soap out of areas like under your ring because that is what caused my irritation at first.