topic Re: Washing My Hands So Much in Community Chat

Washing My Hands So Much

Desert Lily — Sat, 09 May 2020 21:45:17 GMT

Washing my hands so often, much longer than 20 seconds, using so much soap and hand sanitizer, and with very warm water has caused me to have a small red patch on the back of one of my hands. (I do wear gloves when I can.) It itches and burns like eczema, which I've never had before. I've tried all kinds of lotions that help little if at all, and I tried Vaseline which made it burn. I'm now using a mild soap, turning the temp down to plain warm, and found relief in argan oil.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

Janey2 — Sat, 09 May 2020 22:03:46 GMT

I had that exact problem when I first started washing my hands. I am pretty sure it was the hot water, not the soap. Make the water lukewarm and try to use hand cream as often as possible. Mine cleared up in a day or two. I also started using a softer towel to dry my hands. I now pat them dry.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

willdob3 — Sat, 09 May 2020 22:09:51 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
Washing my hands so often, much longer than 20 seconds, using so much soap and hand sanitizer, and with very warm water has caused me to have a small red patch on the back of one of my hands. (I do wear gloves when I can.) It itches and burns like eczema, which I've never had before. I've tried all kinds of lotions that help little if at all, and I tried Vaseline which made it burn. I'm now using a mild soap, turning the temp down to plain warm, and found relief in argan oil.

@Desert Lily

Are you out in public and handling things others touch that often? There is no need to wash one’s hands more than usual when you are staying home and handling your own possessions; they are safe to touch.

Use hand sanitizer only when you are away from home and there is no soap and water to use.

There is no need to use extremely hot water. Warm is better. I’m glad you found something that relieves your hands.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 09 May 2020 22:34:19 GMT

I am not washing my hands that much more than before I always washed my hands when I came home from being some where, before starting a meal, etc.

...I only use the disinfecting soap when I get home from running an errand, grocery store, touching something out of the house. If I have not been anywhere, no need to over wash your hands.

I keep hand sanitizer in my purse, always have. My hands/cuticles have always been really dry...so I am not going to over do it...+it's not healthy to use to much sanitizer.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

godi — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:01:51 GMT

I put Aveeno lotion by all my sinks. After I wash I use it. I have no issues. I knew all this washing would be damaging to skin. I wonder if your allergic to any of the products your using?

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

gidgetgh — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:19:44 GMT

I have been washing my hands a ton and am really going through the liquid soap quickly. My hands are dry, but the Glysomed hand lotion and L'Occitane Intensive Hand Balm I use are doing a good job with the dryness.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

Desert Lily — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:22:52 GMT

@godi @willdob3 I'm washing my hands when I get the mail, get a box from amazon, when I get groceries delivered, when I take the dogs out/feeding, etc. I did change to a different dishwashing liquid soap a couple weeks ago because my usual one was unavailable, but I had been using the same handsoap. I've been doing more dishes by hand since I've been home - I wonder if that could be causing the irritation (or perhaps allergy that I hadn't thought of) along with my overdoing the washing. Thank you for your thoughtful input.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

millieshops — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:24:17 GMT

The only time I use hand sanitizer in the house is to clean my iPhone or iPad screens. That takes so little I've been using the same small bottle for well over a year and still have a few months worth left.

I do use sanitizer and wipes when I'm out and touching things like doorknobs, car door handles, store carts, etc.

Otherwise just soap - usually gentle, but antibacterial when I return from the store before I store my groceries. Lots of lotion also for my old, dry hands.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

willdob3 — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:30:33 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
@godi @willdob3 I'm washing my hands when I get the mail, get a box from amazon, when I get groceries delivered, when I take the dogs out/feeding, etc. I did change to a different dishwashing liquid soap a couple weeks ago because my usual one was unavailable, but I had been using the same handsoap. I've been doing more dishes by hand since I've been home - I wonder if that could be causing the irritation (or perhaps allergy that I hadn't thought of) along with my overdoing the washing. Thank you for your thoughtful input.

@Desert Lily If your hands just got this bad in the past couple weeks, it might just be that new dishwashing soap. It is often hard to pinpoint a cause.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

Twins Mom — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:32:32 GMT

Glad I succumbed to temptation of B&B soap sales last winter! Surprised how they don't seem drying.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

stuyvesant — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:39:25 GMT

I found this product at Trader Joe's that I use several times a week or when I think of it actually, which is when something dry is up with my hands.

Trader Joe's Antioxidant Facial Serum for all skin types. I use the two pumps recommended for the face and spread it around my hands, keeping it away from the nails. It's amazing how the two little pumps can cover a large area and it dries super fast.

I also spot treat because I have one problem spot that's like a face blemish on my hand. I like spot treating better than using hand lotion all over because of the one spot.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

RealtyGal2 — Sun, 10 May 2020 08:02:23 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
Washing my hands so often, much longer than 20 seconds, using so much soap and hand sanitizer, and with very warm water has caused me to have a small red patch on the back of one of my hands. (I do wear gloves when I can.) It itches and burns like eczema, which I've never had before. I've tried all kinds of lotions that help little if at all, and I tried Vaseline which made it burn. I'm now using a mild soap, turning the temp down to plain warm, and found relief in argan oil.

I have had the same thing across my nuckles on both hands. Burning and itching and very red. I think I must have burned my hands with the hot water? I have used Aloe, and several anti-itch/burn creams without a lot of success. Most things have alcohol in them which cannot be good. I finally stopped using anything (including lotion) and using cold water to wash my hands and drinking more water and I see an improvement.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

ID2 — Sun, 10 May 2020 10:47:24 GMT

I've always have been a hand washer. Now that I've been held up in my home for the past few months, I only wash my hands when I have to. But, my whole life, upon entering my home after an outing, I've always headed right to washing my hands. I can't stand the feel of dirty hands!

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

Pearlee — Sun, 10 May 2020 16:48:16 GMT

@Desert Lily. I have had issues with the skin on my hands having all kinds of problems in cold weather. What works the best on them for any skin issue is 100% pure African shea butter. It is kind of greasy stuff so I'd put it on before bedtime and in the morning my hands were miraculously healed up overnight ( redness, bleeding cracks in skin, itching, redness, whatever). That stuff is miraculous! It is kind of hard right out of the jar so you warm it up in your hands to melt it and then rub it in. It can also be used for many other things(softens your hair, on your face to soften skin --- lots of uses and healing properties). Do make sure it is 100% shea butter.

Re: Washing My Hands So Much

shoesnbags — Sun, 10 May 2020 18:22:02 GMT

@Twins Mom wrote:
Glad I succumbed to temptation of B&B soap sales last winter! Surprised how they don't seem drying.

Me too @Twins Mom ! This is one time my addiction to those B&B soaps paid off, ha ha. I just keep hitting my stash in the closet.