How to wash your hands if you have eczema or dry skin in response to the coronavirus outbreak we are all being advised to wash and sanitise our hands as often as possible.
Washing up gloves for eczema.
However for people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis this can cause painful flare ups.
People with eczema especially atopic dermatitis tend to have very dry skin in general.
Wind low humidity cold temperatures harsh soaps and too much washing without the use of a moisturizer can lead to dry skin which can irritate your eczema and even make it worse.
For older children and adults gloves can be used under rubber gloves for washing up or under gardening gloves when you are gardening or just worn to school or work or over creams at night.
Latex gloves can cause allergic reactions so it s best to avoid them.
Always use gloves see next page when washing up or persuade someone else to wash the dishes.
Use rubber gloves when washing.
Rubber gloves can help reduce your exposure to dish soap which can be an irritant for people with hand eczema cynthia bailey m d a diplomate of the american board of dermatology and founder.
They can make your hands sweat and lead to an itchy eczema flare up.
Remember that if dishpan hands eczema has developed then it should be treated and managed by a dermatologist.
Rubber gloves are one of the best ways to prevent dishpan hands.
Use milder soaps rather than ones that are more astringent.
Irritating to skin such as soaps and detergents e g.
This is because the disease causes defects in the skin barrier.
If a reusable vinyl glove gets a hole in it throw it away.
The latex in rubber gloves can cause allergies afterward wash eczema reusable gloves inside out and let them air dry thoroughly.
If you have young children or a baby avoid contact with sterilising solutions and use disposable nappies for your child.
Wearing protective gloves can help them play in the sand or paint with the other children without making their hands sore.
Picture sourced from dermatology atlas brazil courtesy of samuel freire da silva m d.
For wet work put on your cotton gloves and then cover them with unlined powder free vinyl or neoprene gloves.
I ahve this problem i have found that the ecover washing up liquids are much kinder to my skin i regularly see the dermatologist at the hospital for my eczma its a nightmare and ecover is the only product that doesnt irritate tho my hands get sore anyway sometimes and dp then helps out oh and with regards to the gloves the only thing i found that worked was to wear cotton gloves underneath.
It may sound obvious but it s important to recognise the flare up in the first place and be vigilant of any changes as eczema can escalate quickly.