Cracked an bleeding fingers

**MTS04** · 10-02-2009, 02:38 PM

Can I get some suggestions/ideas?

My part time job is in a vets office. I'm constantly washing my hands. I think it's the soap that's doing it. I'm to the point where 2 of my fingers have actually started to crack and bleed from my skin being irritated by the soap.

I'm going to start bringing my own small bottle of handsoap to use. Lotion isn't a good idea to keep putting on there as it takes too long and then sometimes does not dry before I touch an animal and then I have fur stuck to my hands.

Also, do you have any tricks that may help my hands to heal on my days off?

I would love to hear your suggestions .

Thank you.

**frugalfranny** · 10-02-2009, 02:46 PM

I think changing the soap will help, if you can do it. I would guess that your vet is using a highly disinfectant soap......which is probably hard on your hands. Also, that sanitizing gel that is out now is really hard on your hands. Quit using it if you are currently using.

BUT......what sort of soap are you using at home? Maybe try something softer there too. I had to quit using one of B & Body Works soap as it was tearing up my hands.

At night, if you can do the gloves and either vaseline or bag balm on your hands and sleep with the gloves on (not plastic as this will make your hands sweat).......that will help get them healed. Then in your 'off time'...even in the evenings, when you work......keep gobs of cream on them before going to bed.

**frugalwarrior** · 10-02-2009, 02:54 PM

Bag balm is the popular favorite here. Put it on your hands at night. I would use thin rubber gloves over it unless latex bothers you.

**stinkbug** · 10-02-2009, 02:56 PM

Go to your local pahrmacy and ask for Gloves in a Bottle. OTC, kinda spendy, comes in a dark blue bottle. It will heal up your hands and also put a protective layer on them to keep them from chapping, etc. Not greasy
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...n%20a%20bottle

**Greebo** · 10-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Can you wear latex gloves while working? I mean - doctors and nurses do - and putting them on and taking them off would be easier on your skin.

**melanies** · 10-02-2009, 04:50 PM

another thing that might help is to first wash with the disinfectant soap and then wash again with Cetaphil (or generic equivalent) rinse lightly. It will help to put some moisture back in your hands without having to use lotion.

**frugalfriend** · 10-02-2009, 06:12 PM

I second wearing gloves at work if you are able to, at least part of the time.

This happens to me too in the winter because it is so dry and I wash my hands a lot. Putting Neosporin and bandaids on the cuts at night, and a good hand cream on the rest of my hands really helps.

**tervsforme** · 10-02-2009, 06:33 PM

My mom has that problem and she puts NuSkin on the cracked areas. It's sort of like that Glove in a Bottle. It works for her.

**kaurand554** · 10-02-2009, 06:43 PM

I suggest glycerin under gloves at night, it really helps moisturize the skin, and relatively inexpensive.

**erinny1983** · 10-02-2009, 07:13 PM

I worked in a clinic for a year and it tore my hands up. After a few months, I started treating my hands every night. This is what I did:

Step one: dab cornhuskers on any really dry scaly areas, let dry
Step two: slather on some balm made for cow's udders, or petroleum jelly
Step three: put on clean cotton gloves (I found mine at walmart in the health&beauty area) clean socks would work too, if you don't mind mitten hands

wear for as long as you can stand then wash with gentle soap to get the residue off.

Works great for cracked heels/dry elbows too.

**YankeeMom** · 10-02-2009, 07:17 PM

I had a similar problem when my son was in the pediatric ICU. The nurse recommended Vaseline Intensive Care Water Resistant. It really works great. It lasts through at least half a dozen hand washes and doesn't take long to rub in when you put it on.

**lisaflex** · 10-02-2009, 08:01 PM

definitely wash w/ cetaphil.

aquahor helps heal also

put some neosporin on your hands after washing w cetaphil when you get home. that helps heal them

**HisDaisy** · 10-02-2009, 08:44 PM

I feel your pain. I used to work in a public health lab and between gloves and hand washing my knucles would crack and bleed.
At home I use to use bag balm on my hands (I even use chapstick when I was desperate). I also used Jergens Cherry Vanilla lotion at work. I seemed soak in easily. The thicker lotions would not soak in and then you can't get gloves on.

I hope you find something that works.

**MTS04** · 10-03-2009, 12:26 AM

Thank you all for your help.

I'm off to arm myself with anti-cracking solutions. I'll let you know which ones work best.

Thank you all again.

**Luckybustert** · 10-03-2009, 12:52 AM

It's also possible that the constant exposure to water is causing the cracking and bleeding. That happens to me if I wash my hands a lot, no matter what soap I use or even if I use no soap at all. A dermatologist once suggested to me to use Crisco on my hands....I can't stand the feel of the stuff but I know what you're going through and it's gotten so bad at times that I'd be willing to try just about anything. I agree with the suggestion to wear gloves if possible, and also the suggestion to use glycerin. Alternatively, any lotion that has glycerin as one of the top ingredients should be helpful.