Problem with my skin - Wearing gloves (May/15/2007 )

The tips of my fingers are very dry and cracked lately and it seems that wearing gloves everyday at the lab is not helping
I have never experienced this problem for so long before.
Does anyone have a suggestion how I can keep working with gloves in the lab and prevent my finger tips from drying out.

Thanks a lot for your input.

Different possibilities:

- Cream your fingers all the time with some lotion or fat-containing cream.
- Change the gloves - those without powder are less likely to produce irritation, in case of some problems with latex, try out nitrile gloves.
- Use cotton-gloves within the lab gloves (I know some surgeons doing it, so the reduced sensibility should be not to much of a problem).

Maybe something helpful for you?

yes, my hands also get dry because of the gloves and all the times I wash my hands. I use hydratant cream specially for dry hands after every wash and also at home specially before going to bed, and be patient.

i also have problems with my skin...i have ecsema.
i totally agree with krümelmonster
AVOID WEARING POWDERED GLOVES !!
they will make your hands worse...(ask me !)
use special gloves designed for sensitive skin.
visit a physician to know the reason,
put the cream (medicine) on your hands then wear the gloves while working..i know it's hard,
we are used to touch things directly with our hands...
but it will go on...
be careful you may start crashing test tubes and any glass objects...(as me!)
when you finish your lab work,use moisturing cream from time to time to ensure your hands aren't dry.
before sleeping,put the medicine on your hands...
good luck
hope my notes will be helpful

avoid latex and switch to nitrile gloves.
Do not wait. Latex allegies get worst with time and from a labmate's experience tends to spread.

many people are allergic to natural rubber latex. I developed the allergy myself after a couple of years of exposure, from wearing gloves in the lab. I switched to nitrile and it's fine

sometimes it can be accelerants used in the glove manufacturing - if you get powder-free nitrile and you still have the problem, it would be good to speak with a rep from a glove manufacturer and find some different things to try

you may also wish to switch to a hypoallergenic handsoap in your lab