I need help with dry hands and cracked cuticles

[lilminx]

I wash my hands at least a dozen times a day because of all the kiddie germs in my classroom. My hands get really dry because of it.

During the winter it's even worse- my cuticles split and peel. It's gross. I put lotion on my hands when I can remember, which is usually twice a day, to no avail.

Does anyone have any tried-and-true methods- certain lotions, or things they do- to prevent this from happening?

 

[perks]

everytime you wash your hands, especially with antibacterial anything, you should be lotioning too.

the lotion helps trap moisture in, and if you're washing that much, you need to do it every time.

 

[Guest]

 

[horny_giraffe]

Try an egg, yolk and all. I wait until it starts to dry--maybe thirty seconds or a minute. It softens and moisturizes my hands and face. It'll probably clog your pores so you might not want to use it on your face if you are acne prone.

 

[lilminx]

everytime you wash your hands, especially with antibacterial anything, you should be lotioning too.

the lotion helps trap moisture in, and if you're washing that much, you need to do it every time.

I'm not able to lotion my hands after every single washing- I'm teaching most of the times that I'm washing.

EE, what's bag balm?

 

[intrigued]

Also, before bed, apply a thin coat of Vaseline and then wear some type of gloves to bed. Vaseline seals in moisture and provides a barrier, and will soften your hands too.

 

[perks]

I'm not able to lotion my hands after every single washing- I'm teaching most of the times that I'm washing.

EE, what's bag balm?

bag balm is cow udder salve.

 

[Summery]

A fairly inexpensive way to help with dry hands and cuticles, is Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion. Get the one that says, extra dry.
The winters here where I live, dry my hands and cuticles out something fierce. This lotion has helped a lot. You can even get it pocket size to keep it with you, where ever you go.

 

[modest mouse]

When I was bartending I got hooked up with some Cornhusker's lotion. bartenders wash their hands all day and swear by it. Maybe it will provide the serious lotion power you need.

 

[Monazwx]

Bag balm. all over hands, wear gloves with it to bed.

Bag balm - Lotion small enough to fit into a bag?

Wearing Gloves to bed is an excellent suggestion.
Washing and lotioning the hands, excuse the pun, go hand in hand.

 

[kiwiwolf]

*biting my tongue...

 

[teresafannin]

I have the same problem, compounded by excema. My sweetie found a cream called "RexEme" that works fairly well. I put it on my hands every night & sleep in thin cotton gloves. At work, I use Vaseline Intensive Care Water Resistant lotion & it also helps. I wear cotton gloves under rubber gloves when I wash the car & things like that. Good luck, I hope you find something that works.

 

[kotori]

When I was bartending I got hooked up with some Cornhusker's lotion.

"Tending bar." I hate back-formations.

 

[Killswitch]

All these suggestions are fine.....but take my advice.

You need to find a cream called Eucerin.....in a tub, not a tube or pump bottle. It is water based and not oily. It is also not water thin and crappy like some of the more popular water based creams.

Cracked cutes, and cracks from dry skin call for a cream called Corona.

Corona is a cream mainly used in the livestock industry for cracks and cuts on livestock....hooves etc.

Listen to me.....

 

[Killswitch]

Reading up I see Mona, and Emerald have suggested Bag Balm....similar to Corona, but not as good....You try what I told you and thank me later.

 

[lilminx]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I guess that no matter what lotion I use, I should put some on my hands before bedtime and cover them with gloves.

 

[Agent99]

Another country heard from

Skip the antibacterial soap. Switch to Dove soap if you can.

The petroleum jelly with gloves is excellent advice. I actually do this in the winter time by slathering it all over my feet and then putting on white cotton socks. My dogs are soft and smooth.

 

[lilminx]

I kind of need to use the antibacterial soap. I'm around other people's germy little kids all day.

 

[Guest]

 

[Weird Harold]

I kind of need to use the antibacterial soap. I'm around other people's germy little kids all day.

Use regular soap, and follow it with an anti-bacterial moisturizer like Avon's Skin-So-Soft (tm) anti-bacterial moisturizing gel. (Jergens sells something similar.

You won't have to wash your hands as often and they won't be greasy or slimy because of a lotion or cream. The Avon Gel dries quickly and leaves your hands protected against little kid germs longer than simple washing.

 

[lilminx]

Thanks WH, for the advice, but the problem is that even though my hands may be protected with the antibacterial cream, when the kids grab my hands I still can't help but feel like my hands get dirty. I have to wash them or I'll go crazy. You should see some of the things that these kids do with their hands- ick. Half the time, when I tell them to wash their hands they forget to use soap.

 

[Guest]

 

[Rubyfruit]

I love my Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter. It seems to penetrate better than most cuticle oils I've tried.

The Beeswax Moisturizing Creme is wonderful for hands too. Try switching to a cream instead of a lotion. Also, leave hands damp before applying cream - you'll lock in the moisture that way.


Harold, you have mail.

 

[morninggirl5]

Purell makes a hand sanitizer with moisturizers that doesn't require any water. I use it all day long. I've started having the kids use it after they use the bathroom, as well.


It's not too expensive, and one bottle lasts about 2 weeks in my class.

 

[kiwiwolf]

I kind of need to use the antibacterial soap. I'm around other people's germy little kids all day.

Sterilise the kids.