How often do you wash your hands?

[lizgrace07]

Originally Posted by ShanaV I'm so relieved to know that there is a strong consensus to not wash unless necessary. Because that's how I roll, and I'm so glad not to be the only filthy mama. Has anyone else used oral meds for eczema? Have they been successful? My mom suffers from eczema too and she said she can take one tiny Hydroxyz pill and it will calm her rashes for several days. I'm so tempted to try it!

"Not the only filthy mama"

I am apparently very gross because I pretty much only wash my hands for food prep and if I actually touch poop. And in the shower, obviously. Or a public bathroom. And in airports... they just feel germy to me. So far I have not come down with any terrible diseases as a result.

[jjgammon]

Originally Posted by ShanaV Not sure which forum I should post this in, but here goes... I have developed really bad eczema on my hands since I have to wash my hands constantly with my boys. 100 diaper changes a day, wiping them, washing food, cleaning up after food, baths, etc etc etc. My hands are always in water and this rash is killin me. I've been to my family doctor and also a derm and they confirm that it is dishydrotic eczema -- basically, from all the hand washing. So my question to you is, how often do you wash your hands? After every diaper change, even just a little pee diaper? If I could cut down on my hand's exposure to water just a little bit, I'd like it.

My uncle, brother, daughter, and I all have the same condition. When I was first diagnosed around age 9ish the doctor told me to slather my hands with Cortisone 10 and wrap them in Saran Wrap every night before bed.

I wash my hands every time I use the bathroom, change a diaper, wipe DD, or go in the kitchen to cook. BUT- unless I am washing off poo or raw meat germs I only use lukewarm water. I also shower less frequently, but that requires some strategy to avoid the stinkies. I NEVER wash more than 2 or 3 dishes. When my mother-in-law moved in DH made it clear to her that dishes are her responsibility.

I find that wearing gloves tends to make it worse. As does stress.

Good luck mama, feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about D.E.

[amandacv86]

I hate it when my hands are cracking and any lotion I put on them burns! When this happens I will generally use A+D ointment or cortisone cream(prefer the A+D) during the day and before bed slather vaseline on it and have my OH roll socks over my hands. I usually wake up during the night with the socks off but usually it's better by morning.