Dry hands

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Discussion

Garett

Original Poster:

1,638 posts

199 months

Sunday 31st October 2010
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My work is fairly tough on my hands at the moment, I come into contact with oil and a lot of general metallic grime.

I wash my hands probably 5 times a day whilst at work, usually with swarfega, then when I get home I scrub with a nail brush and sometimes a pumice stone to try and get rid of the remaining crud, not always successfully because my hands are so dry the dirt seems to get stuck in the dry bits so they never look 100% clean.

Can anyone recommend a heavy duty hand cleaner that isn't too hard on the skin and a decent moisturiser, so I can get the missus of my back about it!

About a mundane a question as anyone could ask but thought there are probably some PHers who get there hands dirty for a living.

AlexC1981

5,050 posts

224 months

Sunday 31st October 2010
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Can you wear latex gloves at work? Prevention being better than cure.

Sugar soap is a very effective at getting off grease. Use the stuff you get from chemists like Boots though, rather than the stuff you get from DIY shops! It will be in the bath or shower section.

I have found Atrixo to be a really effective hand cream. Apply before going to bed to maximise effectiveness and any dryness should soon be cleared up.

Parsnip

3,135 posts

195 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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In the workshop at work we use a swarfega type stuff (Powergold I think it is called) - does the job of getting oil based mud and grease off yer paws.

As above, a lot of the time I will use gloves, other times getting manky can't be helped, so after washing there is some industrial man moisturiser - can't remember the name, but it smells like a sheep and works great.

While talking about moisturiser is usually grounds for a loss of man points, I like to think that mentioning swarfega in the same post in some way redeems it.

T84

6,941 posts

201 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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I have dry hands and latex gloves make it worse, so be careful!

Parsnip

3,135 posts

195 months

Monday 1st November 2010
quotequote all
Pair of the cotton ones underneath the latex ones is the answer, stops them getting all sweaty and horrid.

Tumbler

1,432 posts

173 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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You need a good barrier cream rather than a moisturiser, work should provide you with one if you are unable to wear gloves, it needs to be reapplied during the day.

http://www.hand-cleaners.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d71_...

ShadownINja

77,473 posts

289 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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Unfortunately, as you probably already realise, the multiple washing of hands is removing natural oils. One way of rehydrating your skin is to drink more water or other non-dehydrating fluids (ie not coffee, alcoholic drinks etc).

T84

6,941 posts

201 months

Monday 1st November 2010
quotequote all
Steroid cream on the hands whilst wearing cotton gloves, overnight.

Lemmonie

6,314 posts

262 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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I work as a nail technician and would suggest as girly as it sounds to go get a good manicure. I treat a good few men folk with manicures and usually a few treatments close together can get your habd into a good condition that can be maintained easily at home.

You need a good scrub and probably a few parrafin wax treatmens to soothe and soften the skin.

If you really cant bear going for a treatment then get a mixture of salt or suger and olive oil and rub it all over your hands for a good few mins then rinse and apply a nourishing handcream.

I cant really recomend any high street creams as I use professional only brands but i would recomend Almond Soothing creme by CND. You can only buy from salons so get the missus to get you some or if you cant i can always send you tub. This cream is perfect for very dry hans and is both soothing and extreamly hydrating as it contains jojoba oil which is the oil oil which molocles (sp) are small enough to penetrate the nail plate (if you want nice nails too!)


T84

6,941 posts

201 months

Monday 1st November 2010
quotequote all
It's mostly likely contact dermatitis which will be set off by a certain allergen he is coming into contact with, gloves + steroid cream.

Or see your GP.

freecar

4,249 posts

194 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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Jeeeze, didn't anyone else learn how to wash their hands at college?!?! I am not kidding either! My mechanic buddies have been over the moon with this learning.

When washing oil and grease off of one's hands it is important to do it properly. The most important factor is cold water!!! Yes I know, cold isn't as nice as hot, but hot opens up the pores in your hands and makes them dirty again later. Once you have removed the grease and oil you can turn up the hot for a good hot rinse.

Hand cleaners like swarfega are designed to be used dry, so do so, work it well into dry hands and rinse all the dirt off with nice cold water, finish with a hot water rinse and you're well away!

Gusanita

365 posts

197 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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I've found cooking oil to be good at getting rid of oily substances. I used it once when my hands were covered in gloss paint and it got it off incredibly quickly. It then took a relatively small amount of washing up liquid to remove it rather than scrubbing my skin off.

Rueh

70 posts

181 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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I've got very dry skin on my hands as well as contact dermatitis, due to my job. I've seen my GP twice about it and the best thing I've used so far is a mild steroid cream. I also put on a good thick layer of barrier cream after my breaks and before I start in the mornings, this helps too. As others have said, try to avoid latex gloves without something (thin cotton gloves) underneath, they tend to really dry them out. Make sure your hands aren't dry when you go to bed too, else they'll just get worse and worse. It all sounds a bit poncey, but having your hands crack open and bleed like mine used to isn't all that great either.

Garett

Original Poster:

1,638 posts

199 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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Cheers for the input everyone, I don't think its Dermatitis because its not so bad that I'd go and see a GP about it, it isn't actually bothering me. What is bothering me about it though is my missus!

I think barrier cream is probably a good idea, used some today and my hands are cleaner than usual after a good scrub. Latex gloves wouldn't last 2 minutes and wouldn't offer me the same level of dexterity.

Some very good advice Lemmonie, thanks, I'll try the salt, sugar and olive oil combo, I've got some 'Dove intensive cream' so I'll see how that goes.

Tuscanless Ali

2,187 posts

216 months

Monday 1st November 2010
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Not very macho, but you could slather them in lanolin or glycerine, put on a pair of cotton gloves and sleep in them. Your hands will definitely feel softer after a few nights.

Anthony Micallef

1,123 posts

202 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
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I use hand cream as I have eczma. I can recomend this http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/catalog/produ...

Anthony Micallef

1,123 posts

202 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
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I use hand cream as I have eczma. I can recomend this http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/catalog/produ...

littlegreenfairy

10,134 posts

228 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
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Crabtree and Evelyn Gardeners handcream is just wonderful.

My hands get so dry constantly washing up and it puts them right in no time.