Ouch! Sore hands

[EvianBaby]

I get dermatitis, usually when it's hot in the summer but I guess all the heating being on at the moment has brought it on recently and I've woken up this morning have scratched my hands to buggery in my sleep.

Can anyone reccommend a really good cream to help stop the itching and sooth the sore bits where I've scratched the skin off?

[tiggerblue10]

I would try aloe vera gel first for the sore bits then use Cetraben or E45 on top to moisturise. I have dermatitis all year round but I reckon its caused by my constant hand washing (OCD).

[tinkerbell23]

HC45 mabye? It looks like e45 but is a hydrocortisone cream xxx mabye wear those cotton gloves in bed to stop scratching or even fill them with a suitable cream? Even vaseline soothes a bit x

[Traci66]

You could try vitamin e oil, that works on everything.

[EvianBaby]

Oh yeah, hadn't thought of aloe vera. Will see what I can find when I pop to Tesco. Horrible isn't it! And my hands look awful, it's embarrassing.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks Tinks and Traci too, missed you there. Used to have to wear the cotton gloves in bed a lot. Think it might be a good idea to go back to them.

[tiggerblue10]

Where do you get cotton gloves from? I think I need some.

[EvianBaby]

Think I always got them from Boots. Smothered my hands in whatever cream was handy and shove the gloves on. Did feel odd to begin with but you get used to it.

[gingejbee]

If your Tesco has a pharmacy get some own-brand 1% hydrocortisone cream- lot cheaper than branded stuff from Boots etc. When cleared, lots of emollient cream and white cotton gloves.

[rowanwitch]

http://www.allergybes...andchildren-902.shtml

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks Tinks, I'll get some on Monday :o)

Another thing I've also realised is that some hand creams sting.

[jamesnan]

I would have thought that anything with a perfume would just aggravate your skin, and that includes soap or handcream. Better to stick to unperfumed, eg Simple soap, etc.

[237SJ]

Try Eurax cream (the hydrocortisone and crotamiton one)

[kitty123]

E45 ITCH is excellent.

[tamborine]

I use caneston or any athletes foot cream (an antiseptic) & keep my hands dry in rubber gloves.

[gingejbee]

Canesten and "athletes foot cream" are not antiseptic - they are antifungal and shouldn't be used unless there is a fungal infection.

[boxtops]

good old E45 - you can use it for so many problems

[ubasses]

Go straight to the HC45 if you leave it too long a fungul infection can get hold. Been there and it is not pleasant

[DaisyNonna]

Have you tried calendula cream? Very soothing, available from Boots.

[vegasmad]

Try Pure Potions skin salvation.

[Eve]

If you're going to be using a lot then watch overdoing anything with steroids in due to potential other effects on the skin, unless it really warrants it.

I love aloe vera gel as a more natural cooling calming thing. Aqueous cream is also good and quite thick but not quite as messy as the thicker emolient creams. Really cheap too!

Do you tend to keep your nails long? Could help to have them filed short and rounded to minimise damage from nails if scratching.