cracking/bleeding hands - need solutions!!

[alison77]

my husband has been having this problem for the past few years - initially it was only in the winter time, but now it's all the time. he has dryness, peeling, itching and cracking/bleeding on his hands - mostly on his fingertips, but also on one of his palms. it is terrible uncomfortable for him - he is often in a lot of pain.

he went to a dermatologist last year and she thought that it was eczema. she prescribed a steriod cream which he used, but it didn't help.

any suggestions??

[ASusan]

lansinoh

florasone homeopathic cream

Maybe figure out what is causing it? I have eczema on my fingers that I believe is clearly a contact case - it is only where my fingers and thumb touch the steering wheel, and I get it only when I drive an hour or more. I am looking into a steering wheel cover.

[alison77]

thanks. i'll look at those 2 products. he hasn't tried either.
at first we knew that it was because of exposure to cold air (or the dry heat inside), b/c it got better during the summer. now he has it year round, and it gets worse in winter still, but also when washing dishes, or other long term water exposure, and when doing paperwork. i think he probably has some sensitivities and i'm trying to have him start only using one basic cream on his hands.

[alison77]

One question to ASusan - should he use an emollient cream with the homeopathic or not need to??

[ASusan]

I have no idea. I'd use the lasinoh at night, because it's gooey and sticky. The other cream for all other times, if it works, of course.

And how is his diet? Can you get more good fats and liquid into him to help keep the skin hydrated?

[ASusan]

and gloves for washing dishes, of course. I haven't been able to wash a dish without gloves for 20+ years.

[pianojazzgirl]

I get the same thing (only in the winter though) and I use Lansinoh at night and Glaxal Base in the day (be warned that the GB smells awful, but it does work). I also try to drink lots of water and take my fish oil... not sure if it makes a difference.

[balancedmama]

Could it be pernio?

[poppan]

This works really well for me:
http://www.strandarcadepharmacy.co.n...kin-creme.html

(Yeah I actually do order it all the way from New Zealand... but shipping is included in the price and the dollars are New Zealand dollars so it works out to around $23-26 per very large jar, depending on how many I order at once.)

In addition... have you seen those cotton gloves that hand models use? I think I've seen them sell it at drug stores like Walgreens etc. Put on a thick layer of cream (any good hand cream, although I really do recommend this New Zealand one over any other) before bed and then put the gloves on over it. It helps hold the cream in and you can also apply more than you would if you didn't have gloves on. Then you wear the gloves all night. It's a bit annoying but it really does help the cream work its way into the skin.