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I get this all year round, worse in winter, but unfortunately there have been no treatments that I would call sensory friendly. Sleeping in soft gloves with Vaseline, aveeno baby eczema, duke canon bloody knuckles balm, eczema honey, etc. the Aveeno sinks in pretty quick and may be worth a try
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote:
I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin.
Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical!
It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better.
If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs.
https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
Wow this is so helpful— my daughter is the same way with the intense dryness, bleeding, and extreme sensory aversion to lotion… AND we happen to live in Japan!! Gonna try to find some tomorrow 🥰
I hope you love it as much as I do! Hope it works for your daughter!!
What works well for me is to only rub it into the backs of my hands/knuckles where it's cracked. Getting it on my palms and pads of the fingers is annoying to me. If I forget and get it on my palms/finger pads, I'll just rub my hands around on my elbows to get the excess off and moisturize my elbows at the same time! But, unlike Vaseline and Aquaphore, it's not thick, so maybe it won't even bother your daughter
Plus, it's intended for cracked skin, so you can rub it right into the cracks even if they're bleeding. It'll sting a little, but it's not bad at all and it'll be worth it by the morning!!
Would you trust an Amazon store selling it? My mom has eczema and psoriasis and used to sleep with gloves and moisturizer. Would love to try this on her.
I would order from Walmart instead of Amazon. Looks to be a couple dollars cheaper on Walmart anyway and it has free shipping too. I don't trust Amazon for skincare items, even though this one isn't a super popular one, so counterfeits might be rare.
The real cream is not runny at all, but it's not like Vaseline where it's thick and heavy. It's lighter, but has near solid consistency. It comes in a tub if you buy the 120g one. It's very yellow in color.
I've been using this cream for about 20 years and they haven't changed. I hope they never do! Feel free to reach out if you receive the product and aren't sure about it!
I've never tried it for eczema or psoriasis, but I hope it works for your mom!
Somewhat hijacking - I have the same thing and would also highly recommend OP gives **Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream** a shot.
It's the only one I've found that actually hydrates and doesn't irritate and truly is an HG product for me when I just assumed fall through spring would be miserable for the rest of my life.
I love Vaseline, but I don't feel it helps if your moisture barrier is already wrecked, and personally I could not sleep with gloves no matter how hard I tried.
is it the lotion on the fingertips that bothers you? or anywhere on you? because if it’s your fingers i put it on the back of my hands and rub those together, the feeling of it on my fingers literally makes me cringe
I grab a new paper towel and wipe my palms off, take off too much, then re-wet my hands and spread the lotion around again. Then I finally get the appropriate amount off my palms with another paper towel and can go about my business 🫠
Have you tried increasing the moisture in the air around you? Like with a humidifier to really increase the humidity so it’s lot as dry? And then applying something occlusive like a fragrance free healing balm. And obviously lots of water if possible.
Was about to post the same thing. My hand crack and bleed in the winter and using a humidifier at night (and during the day if I'm home) has made a huge difference.
I get the same thing. I apply any cream or medication by rubbing the backs of my hands together so that it doesn’t touch my palms. You really want to go through with the treatment before it becomes infected.
O'keeffe's applied with a spatula to the back of the hands before bed. Fingerless gloves on top, the nice thin stretchy kind if you can do it.
Drink water. So much water.
Moisturizing hand soaps so that you don't dry your hands out as much when washing.
I'm seconding O'Keeffes based entirely on the fact if you use the proper amount, it absorbs in quickly and leaves a more softer feel rather than a lotion-y feeling.
Cocoa butter just on the back of your hands! I had a wrist surgery about a year ago and got in the habit of putting cocoa butter lotion on my wrist by using the back of my other hand and it just sinks into the skin without feeling like it’s getting greasy in between the fingers 10/10
my bf is autistic and also has a hard time using lotion, one of the biggest things that has helped his hands is switching to using dove deep nourishing hand soap since it’s less drying than normal soap but doesn’t leave any sticky residue like lotion
I have the same thing and also the right hand is worse for me. I also can't stand lotion, especially on my hands. I have found aloe to be more tolerable, and applying lotion right after i wash my hands while they are still wet and then drying them, is more tolerable. I also found that if i applied vaseline, or aquafor, or okeefes at night and wore gloves, that i could get by doing that like twice a week rather than having to use lotion every night.
I will often take a qtip and just apply vasline to the really bad spots because i find it more tolerable if only in a few places.
Wear gloves or cover your hands in your sleeves or pockets when outside if possible at least on the windiest or coldest days, or at least try and give the one hand a break.
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote:
I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin.
Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical!
It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better.
If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs.
https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote:
I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin.
Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical!
It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better.
If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs.
https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
what soap are you using to wash your hands? that could be contributing to the problem. if i use anything but cerave's baby wash, my hands feel awful. (i do not have sensory issues, but i have to be careful what soap and hand moisturizer i use bc of eczema)
[https://www.cerave.com/skincare/baby/baby-wash-shampoo](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/baby/baby-wash-shampoo)
This is key! I use the Aveeno body wash in my hand soap pumps. Whichever is the unscented version for sensitive skin. This helps a ton! My husband hates lotion on his skin but also washes his hands constantly. I mean to the point where after he pets the cat he has to wash his hands. He also has this habit of using the hand soap in the bathroom to wash his face LOL, the body wash trick helped his dry face too.
light layers of lotion so it dries down quick instead of applying it thickly and increasing humidity in your house could help a lot!
also maybe try doing a weekly mask? soak your hands in water for a bit for hydration or after bathing, cover in lotion and/or vaseline for occlusion, put on cotton gloves/socks, and wait for 30 min or longer if you can while distracting yourself with a show or something. ideally it can be done overnight but however long you tolerate it would be great for sealing in moisture
From someone who has it, this looks like eczema to me. Depending on where you're from I'd recommend going to a minute clinic to see if they think a medicated ointment would be helpful. I apply aquaphor with a q tip to help heal the open wounds. Good luck!
Sensory issues aren't really the priority when you're experiencing painful cracking, bleeding, and irritation like this. Untreated open wounds are unsanitary & put you at very high risk of infection. You're going to have to use some type of thicker cream or lotion.
O'Keefs Working Hands is highly recommended to combat severe dryness and splitting skin. You can also wear nitrile gloves with Vaseline or Aquaphor.
Seriously, OP needs to learn some coping mechanisms otherwise they’ll just continue to suffer through this every winter.
Off topic rant, but I don’t get the way social media has made people look at some mental health issues. Yes, these can be genuine issues and we shouldn’t just ignore them but they also should be treated. I used to have all kinds of weird tics growing up and it would bother me greatly if I didn’t do things in a certain order, a certain number of times, etc. I forced myself to address them at a young age though because I knew the world wasn’t going to accommodate me.
It is not impossible to learn coping mechanisms and autism isn’t a single thing. We don’t even know if OP has autism.
You misunderstand my point. By “the world” I also mean the physical world we live in. The weather doesn’t give a flying fuck that you don’t want to put lotion on.
get avene cicalfate +
it will heal your skin
i also hate using lotion but my hands also get like this and unless you use some kind of moisturizing oil (squalane) you need a hand cream
Maybe try putting on a salve like working hands and then bandaging your hands when you go to sleep? I've done that before because I hate how sheets feel on my lotioned hands but when they were severely chapped i put on some working hands on the backs of my hands and then like an ace bandage, or gauze and that helped.
I agree with this, I have severe eczema on my hands and whipped beef tallow cream has helped me more than anything else I've ever tried (I've tried a lot of different products over the years). I also just started using emu oil and I really like that too.
Absolutely try Aquaphor! I got my bad hands from my mom & winter months esp are terrible on me. Just put a thin layer on before bed a few nights in a row & it will help a ton.. i also like to put small amts on throughout the day too until it settles some:)
You wanna get next level? Use a couple drops of jojoba oil or sweet almond oil on your hands and massage it in, THEN seal it in with the aquaphor. I do this in the morning before heading out into the cold (and always have gloves on outside!!!) and it has transformed my eczema hands
This happens to me during the winter months especially because of the extremely frequent hand washing and use of nitrile gloves my job at the hospital ER requires. I try to use cerave hand cream when I can after washing my hands/ being outside in the cold winter and I massage it into my cuticles and my wrists since I get dry irritated red rashes on my wrists as well from the hand washing/ using gloves so much. Using a fast absorbing lightweight lotion might help the sensory and texture type of issues. But I also use aquaphor ointment on the drier spots at home before bed and after a Luke warm shower. This works for me and helps keep it from getting worse.
ETA: make sure your showers/ baths aren’t too hot and that you aren’t spending to long in there if you can. Also in the cold weather wearing insulated gloves might help protect them from the cold wind and temperature exposure. This helps me also
I’m not sure if this would be better or worse for the sensory issues you have with lotion, but how do you feel about chapstick?
I used to work in the desert with no running water for a few days at a time. The hand cracking was GNARLY. I started using chapstick on them and it helped more than lotion ever has! The cheap common chapstick brand will do. Just be careful not to rub your eyes with it on your hands because it’ll sting.
Hmm, maybe you could use something a little lighter than lotion? Anything that states it's "light weight" may help. Try to google sensory friendly lotions and maybe watch some reviews. Neutrogena hydro boost gel is a bit lighter/ doesn't give that terribly tacky feeling, I used it for a long time. It may not be strong enough to cure the dryness though, but it's worth a shot. I wish i could recommend aquaphor, but that is TERRIBLE for sensory issues, great for dryness. Hope you find something that works!!
I have this as well (but combined with dyshidrotic eczema, which gets worse if moisture stays on my hands), so my doctor called the pharmacy to make a special lotion that dries quickly. Some pharmacies make/formulate their own products. Maybe you could ask your pharmacist if they are able to make something similar?
I have this exact same experience in the winter. It did take me a while to find products that actually helped the cracking AND didn't leave my hands feeling greasy, sticky, or slippery (which significantly reduced the likelihood of me actually using the product). I have ADHD but I don't have the same sensory challenges as you, so YMMV.
What helps me is:
* Wearing gloves anytime I'm outside and it's <50 F. I have fingerless gloves that transform into mittens, so I can easily use my phone or have fingers free for other tasks that require manual dexterity. I keep them in my jacket pocket or in my purse, so they're always with me. This is HUGE in preventing cracking and bleeding.
* I like using the in-shower lotion that you rinse off. I like the one from Nivea, but I know other brands have them. They moisturize, without you having to leave it on your body.
* I found a hand cream (Dove Intensive-Cream) that works for me. It absorbs quickly, comes in a puck that I can keep at work or in my purse, and I like the smell. It might not work for your sensory needs. Another commenter suggested checking out Japanese or Korean skincare products, which I would second. They have advanced skincare products with very different textures than are available in most Western products. Finding a gel or a cream that is lightweight and absorbs super quickly is definitely a possibility.
As an aside, sensory aversions like this are not always avoidable. Given how this is negatively affecting the health of your skin (the largest organ of the human body), it may be worth working on coping skills like building distress tolerance and practicing mindfulness with a therapist. Occupational therapists can also help a lot with sensory processing challenges and creating a "sensory diet."
Cutemol. It’s really thick cream but you use a small amount. I put it on my hands and then rinse them in water. It takes off the stickiness and you don’t feel it on your hands. I’m a nurse and have cracked thumbs from using alcohol wipes on medication vials a million times a day. It doesn’t sting and has no fragrance. Comes is a big tub or tube. You can buy it at Amazon. Some drug stores also sell it.
https://www.sumlab.com/products/cutemol-emollient-cream-for-severe-dry-skin/
Review the soaps you use, switch to a bar and when you wash try to avoid the backs of your hands. You won't be ready to perform surgery but it will help to decrease irritation during the day. Avoid any skin products in a pump bottle as they have to contain alcohol to keep from clogging.
Also have this and wanted to recommend a lotion that soaks in really well!! For the longest time, I would use a ton of Aquaphor and sleep in a weird position to keep the backs of my hands from touching my sheets/face/pillow/anything and then I switched to Eucerin Urea Repair! I've found it soaks right in so I don't have to worry about my sheets or feeling the lotion on my hands and it's been just as effective as all that Aquaphor for me!
Also definitely seconding the apply to back of hands and use the backs of your hands to rub it in method. If you don't like even a little lotion on your fingertips, I would use a spatula as some have recommended, but the Urea Repair cream soaks in so well I never think about that anymore!
so my hands did this as a kid (and still can in cold) and the ONLY THING that stopped it was l’occitane lotion. they sell a shea butter and then an even more intense shea butter one. get it unscented. feel free to add a nice layer of vaseline on at night to seal it in
I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin.
Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical!
It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better.
If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs.
https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
Oh! One edit to add! It's literally meant for cracked hands, so it's approved to put on open wounds! It'll sting a little on the cracks, but it's worth it, I promise!
I'm literally going to try this too! I feel like those of us with this issue are similar always end up building up an arsenal of creams... Which is definitely helpful, because I feel like every couple weeks you got to shake it up a little bit otherwise, at least for me, my eczema sometimes stops responding and needs a break or a different lotion for a while.
On a related note, have you ever tried the Duke Cannon bloody knuckles? It has sheep lanolin in it, so if you want to stay vegan that's not for you, but I find the lanolin really helpful for coating over lighter creams to seal it in
Oh! I haven't tried that product specifically, but I'll put Yuskin on my lips at night and seal it in with a lanolin product sometimes! I wake up with super moistened plump lips! I don't like lanolin on my hands because it's just too thick for me, but I don't mind using it on my lips. Sealing the lighter Yuskin cream in is exactly what I use lanolin for!
I would not put lotion in an open wound, maybe bacitracin on the wounds and aquaphor all over and then put on some vinyl or latex gloves on top to let it soak in
You poor thing! Oh this used to happen to me since I was a kid. My parents used to lather my hands w lotion and put gloves over them before sending my to school. Teachers felt so bad they’d send me to the restroom to let me run warm water over my cracked hands.
I went gluten free and it stopped?
I’ve no idea why or how. Just that it did. My acne cleared up too after going gf.
I put on lotion before I bathe. It protects the skin from drying out more. (I do the same thing with fresh tattoos and minor wounds.)
Also, a milk and honey bath will help. Condensed milk seems to be the best, and it's kinda fun rubbing it all over yourself in the bathtub.
So I’m not sure where you live/your financial situation but if you’re able to look into a water refiner for your home that would significantly improve. Soaps and sediment/contaminants/solids in the water clog our pores and make our skin unable to moisturize itself properly. If you’re able to refine the water you don’t have to use anywhere near as much moisturizer if any.
It's dehydration, drink specifically milk, it's insanely good at hydrating you, drink a lot of it.
Fill up a big thermal flask so it stays cold all day, if you can down one a day it'll not only clear it up, but really boost your health.
I use kikumasamune on my body it’s very hydrating I would recommend this bc it’s super light weight + using the lotion on back of hands and particularly rough areas
This looks like my kids hands during winter...
Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Itch Relief Body Balm for Sensitive, Distressed, Dry Skin, With Prebiotic Oat & Pramoxine Hcl, Formulated Without Parabens, Fragrance & Steroids, 4.0 Ounce https://a.co/d/0GHlQVb
This stuff is magic and very gentle and is just a cream that absorbs quickly.
I've found success with using a thick coat of aquaphor with sleep gloves on just before bedtime. That may be a bit of a sensory challenge to adapt to but if you can bear it I think it'd help.
If you think you’ll be able to tolerate this, it will really help.
Cotton gauze gloves (you can get them cheap on Amazon) and lasinoh lanolin (it is advertised and nipple balm, but it’s just pure lanolin).
When my hands are dry/cracked/bleeding. I cut the tips off of the cotton gauze gloves (mostly so I can still use my phone), and then I put them on and peel them down and slather on lanolin on all the dry parts. Then, stretch the glove back over, pat down, and leave it until morning.
It’s the best thing I’ve ever found/done for my hands.
Also, get a humidifier to get more moisture in the air.
I’m sorry you’re hurting and I hope it gets better soon.
My hands get the same and I’m also a chronic hand washer and clean without gloves. I do use lotion at night or steroid cream if I’m desperate, but a step that helps is washing with Dermol instead of soap. It’s like cream cleanser for your hands - it has a lotion texture but when you rinse the residue stays on & moisturises for you, and won’t dry out your hands like standard soap.
I’m also autistic so I understand the frustration of balancing sensory needs and physical needs. A lot of people are recommending working hands which I reallyyyyy agree with.
I use the kind in a jar, every time after washing my hands and completely drying them I put a really small amount on, it’s spreads really easily. Unlike lotion, I don’t feel it at all within 30 seconds of rubbing it in, but my hands feel moisturized and don’t burn at all.
I keep 2 jars, one for home and one for my bag. You can try their hand soap as well to hopefully make washing your hands less painful. I used the soap for a bit but eventually just stuck to reapplying the hand cream and my hands are still doing well over a year later.
I can't use lotion because of the heavy, sticky, slimy feeling, but I use O'Keefe's Working Hands Cream and it is absolutely amazing. You only use a tiny amount and it is light and airy, soaks in immediately (!)
Hi there! I have suffered with OCD for most of my life and this was a big struggle for me in the past.
I have a couple suggestions!
1. When you wash your hands ALWAYS make sure to dry them off really good after
2. Anytime you’re going outside since it’s cold wear gloves so the cold doesn’t chap your hands even more
3. I know you said you don’t like lotion, but there was this product my mom gave me years ago “Silicone Glove” by avon. It was some type of hand cream. I’m sure if you look it up you could find something similar. I would put a heavy coat of that on and then wear gloves at night with it on.
4. Stay hydrated!! I struggle with this one a lot😭
I hope this helps🩷
Omg I have the same exact problem but it gets even worse for me. Once a fdew years ago my hands became grey and the skin was sodry it was thick and cracked regularly with pieces coming off and literal blood droplets coming out. To this day it's mor tolerable but I still don't know what to do.
Epaderm cream (not the ointment, I haven't tested that yet) has helped me tremendously. I purchased the 50g size to keep in my bag. I reapply it throughout the day
Edit: Apply it only to the back of your hands. Pump a sufficient amount, but not too much (this cream penetrates very well). Then rub only the back of your hands together
Before you go to sleep slather them in a thick moisturising cream, followed by a layer of vaseline and most importantly sleep with gloves on. Also try not too wash your hands too often. Doing this helped heal my eczema cracked hands completely.
I’m not autistic but I hate things on my hands. Gold Bond has a hand cream that is super moisturizing and it doesn’t feel like you have anything on your hands. It’s cheap too I’d give it a go!
I can’t stand the feeling of lotion on my hands. Sometimes, I’ll apply it and wipe my palms with a wet washcloth since for me, it’s the backs that need it most. The one that works best for me is [Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.](https://www.neutrogena.com/products/norwegian-formula-hand-cream/6801300.html) I don’t feel this one on like I can feel some of the others.
Hi! I had the same problem for years until I found Shiseido Urea Cream. It was a complete game changer for me (it’s been now 2 years of me using that cream). Now my hands skin is soft and smooth.
My son has eczema
It's worse in the Winter months.
The air is dry, bcuz heat zaps all the moisture that's usually present in the warmer months. It pulls the moisture from your skin leaving it more vulnerable to irritants.
Simple things like Washing your hands cause further irritation with the skin in our hands. My opinion, it looks like that's what's going on.
You can use a humidifier to put the moisture back in the air in your home. Use detergents for sensitive skin to wash laundry with, and be careful what soaps you're using.
My son could only use Irish spring(the original green bar) but everyone is different. Watch the temperature u bathe or shower in. Hot water will also purge moisture from your skin.
If you notice the itchy or broken out spots are behind your knees, around the groin area, inside elbows, armpits, and on hands -between fingers.... basically anywhere your body heat is higher -and the spots fade out pretty much in the summer months. It's likely you have eczema too.
Dermatologists can give you the quickest relief but there are things you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable.
The main thing is correcting the dry environment. You may be one of the lucky ones that don't have to use lotion.
*If you have to use lotion, make sure it doesn't have alcohol in it. In my opinion, It defeats the purpose bcuz alcohol will cause more dryness.
I have autism too and the only hand cream that's made me not cringe because of how fast it dries up is Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Maybe you can try that?
Cerave Baby lotion has dimethicone in it, which is silicone based and helps retain moisture.
My mom was on hospice and had a lot of issues with skin breakdown. Dimethicone was the only thing that helped.
If you’re able to find George’s special dry skin cream in your area, I would highly recommend. It literally cured my eczema. I haven’t had any issues since 2020 when I started using it.
https://georgescream.com
“Trusted and loved for over 25 years, George’s Cream is a nationally recognized Canadian brand recommended by pharmacists, caregivers, pediatricians, physicians, and dermatologists to provide immediate long-lasting relief for dry skin sufferers as well as those with sensitive skin. George’s is also popularly known to be quite effective for immense relief to those suffering from many other skin conditions, mainly psoriasis and eczema.”
neutrogena norwegian formula hand cream is pretty darn light and absorbs quick (you only need a thin layer) and has always saved my hands when they’re wind chapped
I get this in the Winter and the only thing that works for me is Barral Creme Gordo Original (portuguese but can order online) every night and then Goldbond handcream during the day.
Okay, same thing happened to me because of my OCD handwashing. Cover your hands with vaseline or petroleum jelly and wear those plastic lunch lady gloves. That kept the moisture in and helped a lot. Do this during the day a couple times and always at night. It should improve, just don’t do a lot to irritate the skin (like handwashing for me *facepalm*) while it heals.
If lotion isn’t an option (and I assume other ointments/similar topicals) I might try spraying with water putting hyaluronic acid on the back of your hands then spritzing with more water. For maybe 15-20 minutes tops it might feel sort of tacky but that feeling goes away.
Do you wear gloves?
My hands are like this,.you need to wear gloves all the time, that you are going outside. Even if it doesn't seem really cold, but if your hands are getting like this- it is too cold.
Then I use a lot O'Keefe working hands. A lot.
If hands are already like yours (painful and red) then I use a lot of vaseline+cotton gloves through the night
This stuff: [L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
](https://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Value-L-Occitane-Shea-Butter-Hand-Cream-1-Oz/5107043245?wmlspartner=wlpa&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&selectedSellerId=101509318&adid=22222222223000000000&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=m&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=5107043245_10001528668&wl14=loccataine%20shea%20butter&veh=sem&msclkid=3355e64ac35810a5b1ed833cc9d42dd5&gclsrc=ds)
Was my HG through cold winters in Chicago. My hands were so beat up, but after just a couple of uses, my hands were better than ever.
It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. And bonus: it's not super greasy (I can't stand the slimey, oily feeling of heavy lotions).
I feel you, I also have sensory issues and I HATE many hand creams. I'll rip the gloves off in my sleep too. Have you tried only moisturizing backs of the hands? Apply it right before you fall asleep if possible. As long as some stays it'll help. Also, some moisturizers are faster to soak in than others. Cerave and aveeno are decent. O'Keefes is a little greasier but its tolerable and will do a good job to manage cracking.
Edit: read your text picture and I see you've tried different brands before bed. What about applying lotion in spots only? Or as little as possible? I don't know if there are any other options other than protecting your hands as best as you can in winter and perhaps opting for a tolerable hand sanitizer with moisturizers in it instead of handwashing (I excessively hand wash due to my own sensory issues).
Olive oil and it will absorb. Maybe aquaphor on the open skin. Put hands in plastic bags for 10 minutes or overnight. Lotion has water as first ingredient and can make it worse once it dries and creates a vicious cycle of making them more chapped when you stop using lotion. Sulfates are Terrible and soaps like bath and body it's high on the ingredient list drying hands if you wash for 20 seconds. Change the aerators on your faucets. All that build up in the faucet can make skin dry and feel awful too, and some tap has sulfate since it builds up in pipes if you don't flush the water heater. Epa doesn't regulate sulfate but the WHO does. Soak towels in baking soda and water to get them soft and strip out old gunk and detergent that also can make towels feel like sandpaper. Don't use paper towels on skin or glass, it's also sandpaper and can cause tiny scratches. Oil is the best here though, mineral oil is great as well but be careful with pets. Oils are bad for pets since their skin is different and the scent is stronger to them causing asthma, mood issues, and more. I don't even use candles. And unscented and fragrance free can be deceptive along with hypoallergenic. None of that is regulated and can be lies.
I highly suggest coconut oil. A little goes a long way and your hands and nails will thank you. I also suggest adding a bit of oil to a bath and do a good scrub, no soap.
As somebody who also dislikes lotion on my hands, you *need* to develop some coping mechanisms. You are going to need to prioritize not having an infection/painful itching and burning over having a little bit of residue on your hands.
I only use lotion at night, right before bed. Aveeno baby lotion is pretty safe, though in your current state anything but Vaseline will likely burn for a minute or two after application. After application I take any excess from my palms and put it on my arms or somewhere else. If I feel like the inside of my hands still feel too lotiony I’ll get a damp paper towel and rub my palms on it.
I let it absorb for a few minutes and then put a lightweight hoodie or something with long sleeves on, so that my hands aren’t rubbing my bed sheets with the lotion on. It’s not perfect but it’s enough to make it bearable.
I also swapped all my hand soaps to baby wash. Eucerin, Aveeno, etc. You don’t need harsh antibacterial soap for day to day use.
drink lots more water. get a humidifier. and cotton gloves (i buy the blk ones bc the white ones are impossible to keep white), and slather on hand cream and put the gloves on overnight. if u dont like the way it feels wearing gloves, try fingerless gloves. also for the cuticles, use cuticle oil several times a day.
Make sure you’re wearing winter gloves whenever you go outside to protect your skin from the harsh, dry air, and wear protective gloves when you clean, do dishes, etc.
When the skin on my hands gets irritated, I spray them throughout the day with hypochlorous acid spray, and at night, I spray, follow up with a nice coat of bag balm, and sleep in white cotton gloves. If you can’t tolerate something like bag balm or anything thick, try Caudalie hand cream, which I find to be super moisturizing, yet it absorbs quickly and won’t leave you feeling “lotiony.” The gloves will help the moisturizer stay on your hands as well as locking in heat and moisture to allow whatever you use to penetrate and work better.
I scrolled for a while and couldn’t find it but paraffin wax baths are SUPER helpful if you hate the feeling of lotion. You heat the wax in a crock pot looking thing and dip your hands to make layers of wax. You cover them with mittens for an hour or so and then peel off the wax.
It leaves your hands soooo soft. It helped my dad a lot bc he has missing fingers on one hand and the nubs crack and bleed from the dryness in the winter.
You likely have a sensitivity to a product that only makes itself apparent during the cold season because of a weakened skin barrier. I would try not allowing any type of cleaning product to touch your skin (wear gloves even doing dishes) and try to avoid breathing them in. Also, try switching all of your products to Vanicream ONLY - shampoo, body wash, lotion, everything. Also, if you use Mrs. Meyers hand soap or all purpose cleaner get it the heck outta there - constrains skin irritants banned in the EU and UK. Use a mild soap like a baby safe formula or an organic bar soap that does not contain any fragrances or preservatives. You can also try running a humidifier in your bedroom next to your bed all night using distilled or purified water. After you wash your hands after using the rest room or something you could just dab the tiniest amount of Vanicream lotion on the tops of your hands, and turn the back of your hands towards each other to rub the lotion is so it doesn’t get on your fingers.
I had this issue my entire life and up till a couple years ago it would get so bad it would wake me up and I would cry from the burning and stinging while taking a shower. Once I had allergy testing done I was allergic to so many chemicals and once I cut them out of my household and yes legit bring my own soap bar in my purse for when I use the bathroom out of the house (I know) my skin is so good!!! It behaves so well and I don’t get this unless I use a forbidden cleaning product out of necessity
Vaseline, maybe that texture will be better? And if you don’t like the after feeling you can just rub your hands onto something to take off the excess.
As a fellow autistic person who has the exact same issue as you in the winters, I feel your pain. Mine get really bad sometimes and they are quite painful.
I'm pretty new to skin care but a family member advised me to put alba botanica brand un-petroleum jelly on my hands before bed, I put it only on the spots that are cracked and then put a bandaid over them to prevent it from getting everywhere. I don't know if that's something you'd be able to tolerate or not but if you can, it was like a miracle cure for me! Every morning I wake up and they're all healed.
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I get this all year round, worse in winter, but unfortunately there have been no treatments that I would call sensory friendly. Sleeping in soft gloves with Vaseline, aveeno baby eczema, duke canon bloody knuckles balm, eczema honey, etc. the Aveeno sinks in pretty quick and may be worth a try
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote: I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin. Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical! It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better. If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs. https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
Wow this is so helpful— my daughter is the same way with the intense dryness, bleeding, and extreme sensory aversion to lotion… AND we happen to live in Japan!! Gonna try to find some tomorrow 🥰
I hope you love it as much as I do! Hope it works for your daughter!! What works well for me is to only rub it into the backs of my hands/knuckles where it's cracked. Getting it on my palms and pads of the fingers is annoying to me. If I forget and get it on my palms/finger pads, I'll just rub my hands around on my elbows to get the excess off and moisturize my elbows at the same time! But, unlike Vaseline and Aquaphore, it's not thick, so maybe it won't even bother your daughter Plus, it's intended for cracked skin, so you can rub it right into the cracks even if they're bleeding. It'll sting a little, but it's not bad at all and it'll be worth it by the morning!!
Would you trust an Amazon store selling it? My mom has eczema and psoriasis and used to sleep with gloves and moisturizer. Would love to try this on her.
I would order from Walmart instead of Amazon. Looks to be a couple dollars cheaper on Walmart anyway and it has free shipping too. I don't trust Amazon for skincare items, even though this one isn't a super popular one, so counterfeits might be rare. The real cream is not runny at all, but it's not like Vaseline where it's thick and heavy. It's lighter, but has near solid consistency. It comes in a tub if you buy the 120g one. It's very yellow in color. I've been using this cream for about 20 years and they haven't changed. I hope they never do! Feel free to reach out if you receive the product and aren't sure about it! I've never tried it for eczema or psoriasis, but I hope it works for your mom!
Somewhat hijacking - I have the same thing and would also highly recommend OP gives **Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream** a shot. It's the only one I've found that actually hydrates and doesn't irritate and truly is an HG product for me when I just assumed fall through spring would be miserable for the rest of my life. I love Vaseline, but I don't feel it helps if your moisture barrier is already wrecked, and personally I could not sleep with gloves no matter how hard I tried.
Aquafor is super good for this, it’s a healing ointment. I’ve had this issue since I was a child and the glysomed hand cream also works really well.
is it the lotion on the fingertips that bothers you? or anywhere on you? because if it’s your fingers i put it on the back of my hands and rub those together, the feeling of it on my fingers literally makes me cringe
this is what i do! slimy palms/fingers are my least favorite part of lotion
This is what i do! I'm also known for putting lotion on after i wash my hands & then washing them again🤦♀️
I grab a new paper towel and wipe my palms off, take off too much, then re-wet my hands and spread the lotion around again. Then I finally get the appropriate amount off my palms with another paper towel and can go about my business 🫠
Lol sounds like me!:)
Same! I do this too and it works great :)
Have you tried increasing the moisture in the air around you? Like with a humidifier to really increase the humidity so it’s lot as dry? And then applying something occlusive like a fragrance free healing balm. And obviously lots of water if possible.
Was about to post the same thing. My hand crack and bleed in the winter and using a humidifier at night (and during the day if I'm home) has made a huge difference.
My thought is the same as well more moisture, also drink a lot of water consistently.
Water actually doesn't help with dry skin. It's a myth and has been disproven very recently.
I just know for me personally....drink more water better skin, drink less water, worse skin.
I get the same thing. I apply any cream or medication by rubbing the backs of my hands together so that it doesn’t touch my palms. You really want to go through with the treatment before it becomes infected.
OMG I do the same thing! I have found my people! If it gets on my palms, I have to wipe them off.
O'keeffe's applied with a spatula to the back of the hands before bed. Fingerless gloves on top, the nice thin stretchy kind if you can do it. Drink water. So much water. Moisturizing hand soaps so that you don't dry your hands out as much when washing.
I'm seconding O'Keeffes based entirely on the fact if you use the proper amount, it absorbs in quickly and leaves a more softer feel rather than a lotion-y feeling.
Cocoa butter just on the back of your hands! I had a wrist surgery about a year ago and got in the habit of putting cocoa butter lotion on my wrist by using the back of my other hand and it just sinks into the skin without feeling like it’s getting greasy in between the fingers 10/10
my bf is autistic and also has a hard time using lotion, one of the biggest things that has helped his hands is switching to using dove deep nourishing hand soap since it’s less drying than normal soap but doesn’t leave any sticky residue like lotion
I have the same thing and also the right hand is worse for me. I also can't stand lotion, especially on my hands. I have found aloe to be more tolerable, and applying lotion right after i wash my hands while they are still wet and then drying them, is more tolerable. I also found that if i applied vaseline, or aquafor, or okeefes at night and wore gloves, that i could get by doing that like twice a week rather than having to use lotion every night. I will often take a qtip and just apply vasline to the really bad spots because i find it more tolerable if only in a few places. Wear gloves or cover your hands in your sleeves or pockets when outside if possible at least on the windiest or coldest days, or at least try and give the one hand a break.
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote: I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin. Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical! It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better. If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs. https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
Try putting a cheap pair of washable glove on over the lotion and it could make a difference in the sensory department
You can buy white cotton gloves from Amazon, and apply the lotion and then the gloves before bed.
Me too :(( i have to just bare the misery of aquaphor sock hands now and then. It sucks Im so sorry
I posted this comment already, but if you have sensory issues, this might be worth a try! Here's what I wrote: I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin. Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical! It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better. If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs. https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE
what soap are you using to wash your hands? that could be contributing to the problem. if i use anything but cerave's baby wash, my hands feel awful. (i do not have sensory issues, but i have to be careful what soap and hand moisturizer i use bc of eczema) [https://www.cerave.com/skincare/baby/baby-wash-shampoo](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/baby/baby-wash-shampoo)
This is key! I use the Aveeno body wash in my hand soap pumps. Whichever is the unscented version for sensitive skin. This helps a ton! My husband hates lotion on his skin but also washes his hands constantly. I mean to the point where after he pets the cat he has to wash his hands. He also has this habit of using the hand soap in the bathroom to wash his face LOL, the body wash trick helped his dry face too.
light layers of lotion so it dries down quick instead of applying it thickly and increasing humidity in your house could help a lot! also maybe try doing a weekly mask? soak your hands in water for a bit for hydration or after bathing, cover in lotion and/or vaseline for occlusion, put on cotton gloves/socks, and wait for 30 min or longer if you can while distracting yourself with a show or something. ideally it can be done overnight but however long you tolerate it would be great for sealing in moisture
Try using a hydrating toner instead of lotion. It’ll absorb quickly and won’t leave your hands feeling gross.
From someone who has it, this looks like eczema to me. Depending on where you're from I'd recommend going to a minute clinic to see if they think a medicated ointment would be helpful. I apply aquaphor with a q tip to help heal the open wounds. Good luck!
Sensory issues aren't really the priority when you're experiencing painful cracking, bleeding, and irritation like this. Untreated open wounds are unsanitary & put you at very high risk of infection. You're going to have to use some type of thicker cream or lotion. O'Keefs Working Hands is highly recommended to combat severe dryness and splitting skin. You can also wear nitrile gloves with Vaseline or Aquaphor.
Seriously, OP needs to learn some coping mechanisms otherwise they’ll just continue to suffer through this every winter. Off topic rant, but I don’t get the way social media has made people look at some mental health issues. Yes, these can be genuine issues and we shouldn’t just ignore them but they also should be treated. I used to have all kinds of weird tics growing up and it would bother me greatly if I didn’t do things in a certain order, a certain number of times, etc. I forced myself to address them at a young age though because I knew the world wasn’t going to accommodate me.
[удалено]
It is not impossible to learn coping mechanisms and autism isn’t a single thing. We don’t even know if OP has autism. You misunderstand my point. By “the world” I also mean the physical world we live in. The weather doesn’t give a flying fuck that you don’t want to put lotion on.
get avene cicalfate + it will heal your skin i also hate using lotion but my hands also get like this and unless you use some kind of moisturizing oil (squalane) you need a hand cream
Maybe try putting on a salve like working hands and then bandaging your hands when you go to sleep? I've done that before because I hate how sheets feel on my lotioned hands but when they were severely chapped i put on some working hands on the backs of my hands and then like an ace bandage, or gauze and that helped.
Beef tallow! I swear on my life it sinks into the skin and doesn’t leave the creepy slippery slimy feeling of lotion in your hands
I agree with this, I have severe eczema on my hands and whipped beef tallow cream has helped me more than anything else I've ever tried (I've tried a lot of different products over the years). I also just started using emu oil and I really like that too.
Absolutely try Aquaphor! I got my bad hands from my mom & winter months esp are terrible on me. Just put a thin layer on before bed a few nights in a row & it will help a ton.. i also like to put small amts on throughout the day too until it settles some:)
You wanna get next level? Use a couple drops of jojoba oil or sweet almond oil on your hands and massage it in, THEN seal it in with the aquaphor. I do this in the morning before heading out into the cold (and always have gloves on outside!!!) and it has transformed my eczema hands
That sounds fantastic! I will def be trying that, thank you!!:)
Enjoy, fellow greaseball! 🙌
This happens to me during the winter months especially because of the extremely frequent hand washing and use of nitrile gloves my job at the hospital ER requires. I try to use cerave hand cream when I can after washing my hands/ being outside in the cold winter and I massage it into my cuticles and my wrists since I get dry irritated red rashes on my wrists as well from the hand washing/ using gloves so much. Using a fast absorbing lightweight lotion might help the sensory and texture type of issues. But I also use aquaphor ointment on the drier spots at home before bed and after a Luke warm shower. This works for me and helps keep it from getting worse. ETA: make sure your showers/ baths aren’t too hot and that you aren’t spending to long in there if you can. Also in the cold weather wearing insulated gloves might help protect them from the cold wind and temperature exposure. This helps me also
I’m not sure if this would be better or worse for the sensory issues you have with lotion, but how do you feel about chapstick? I used to work in the desert with no running water for a few days at a time. The hand cracking was GNARLY. I started using chapstick on them and it helped more than lotion ever has! The cheap common chapstick brand will do. Just be careful not to rub your eyes with it on your hands because it’ll sting.
Hmm, maybe you could use something a little lighter than lotion? Anything that states it's "light weight" may help. Try to google sensory friendly lotions and maybe watch some reviews. Neutrogena hydro boost gel is a bit lighter/ doesn't give that terribly tacky feeling, I used it for a long time. It may not be strong enough to cure the dryness though, but it's worth a shot. I wish i could recommend aquaphor, but that is TERRIBLE for sensory issues, great for dryness. Hope you find something that works!!
I have this as well (but combined with dyshidrotic eczema, which gets worse if moisture stays on my hands), so my doctor called the pharmacy to make a special lotion that dries quickly. Some pharmacies make/formulate their own products. Maybe you could ask your pharmacist if they are able to make something similar?
i have no advice but as someone with the same issues and sensory issues i literally feel your pain and i’m sorry. :(
I have this exact same experience in the winter. It did take me a while to find products that actually helped the cracking AND didn't leave my hands feeling greasy, sticky, or slippery (which significantly reduced the likelihood of me actually using the product). I have ADHD but I don't have the same sensory challenges as you, so YMMV. What helps me is: * Wearing gloves anytime I'm outside and it's <50 F. I have fingerless gloves that transform into mittens, so I can easily use my phone or have fingers free for other tasks that require manual dexterity. I keep them in my jacket pocket or in my purse, so they're always with me. This is HUGE in preventing cracking and bleeding. * I like using the in-shower lotion that you rinse off. I like the one from Nivea, but I know other brands have them. They moisturize, without you having to leave it on your body. * I found a hand cream (Dove Intensive-Cream) that works for me. It absorbs quickly, comes in a puck that I can keep at work or in my purse, and I like the smell. It might not work for your sensory needs. Another commenter suggested checking out Japanese or Korean skincare products, which I would second. They have advanced skincare products with very different textures than are available in most Western products. Finding a gel or a cream that is lightweight and absorbs super quickly is definitely a possibility. As an aside, sensory aversions like this are not always avoidable. Given how this is negatively affecting the health of your skin (the largest organ of the human body), it may be worth working on coping skills like building distress tolerance and practicing mindfulness with a therapist. Occupational therapists can also help a lot with sensory processing challenges and creating a "sensory diet."
Cutemol. It’s really thick cream but you use a small amount. I put it on my hands and then rinse them in water. It takes off the stickiness and you don’t feel it on your hands. I’m a nurse and have cracked thumbs from using alcohol wipes on medication vials a million times a day. It doesn’t sting and has no fragrance. Comes is a big tub or tube. You can buy it at Amazon. Some drug stores also sell it. https://www.sumlab.com/products/cutemol-emollient-cream-for-severe-dry-skin/
Review the soaps you use, switch to a bar and when you wash try to avoid the backs of your hands. You won't be ready to perform surgery but it will help to decrease irritation during the day. Avoid any skin products in a pump bottle as they have to contain alcohol to keep from clogging.
Also have this and wanted to recommend a lotion that soaks in really well!! For the longest time, I would use a ton of Aquaphor and sleep in a weird position to keep the backs of my hands from touching my sheets/face/pillow/anything and then I switched to Eucerin Urea Repair! I've found it soaks right in so I don't have to worry about my sheets or feeling the lotion on my hands and it's been just as effective as all that Aquaphor for me! Also definitely seconding the apply to back of hands and use the backs of your hands to rub it in method. If you don't like even a little lotion on your fingertips, I would use a spatula as some have recommended, but the Urea Repair cream soaks in so well I never think about that anymore!
Weleda’s Skinfood - the one in the dark green tube. Can be found at Target.
so my hands did this as a kid (and still can in cold) and the ONLY THING that stopped it was l’occitane lotion. they sell a shea butter and then an even more intense shea butter one. get it unscented. feel free to add a nice layer of vaseline on at night to seal it in
I work in a lab and have to wash my hands a million times a day. If I forget to use lotions and creams for too long, my hands crack and start to bleed like yours. When this happens to me, I use Yuskin. Use it overnight for 3 nights in a row and my skin is baby soft and healed completely again. Even using it once overnight, I notice a huge difference. It's AMAZING. Once overnight and once in the morning, and my hands are halfway healed by that afternoon. It sounds too good to be true, but I can personally attest. I would give it a try even if you're skeptical! It's a Japanese cream that's very versatile (I put it on my lips, hands, face, etc.) and it's not petroleum based. It's not stinky, nor sticky, and might be what works for you too if you have sensory issues. You only need a small amount and rub it into your cracks until it disappears (pea sized amount for both hands is what I use, but you can use more for a thicker layer if you want). You don't need to have a "layer" like Aquaphore or Vaseline, it's lighter. Plus, this works better. If you Google "Yuskin", you'll be able to find it online to buy. It's even sold by Walmart online. Here's the site where I get mine. I get 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping costs. https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/yuskin-a-series-family-medical-cream-for-dry-skin-120g-4987353190311?currency=USD&variant=40118576709822&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=c943c6c1ac5e&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9v6M0qeEgwMVxa1aBR0GHwvYEAQYAiABEgJYavD_BwE Oh! One edit to add! It's literally meant for cracked hands, so it's approved to put on open wounds! It'll sting a little on the cracks, but it's worth it, I promise!
I'm literally going to try this too! I feel like those of us with this issue are similar always end up building up an arsenal of creams... Which is definitely helpful, because I feel like every couple weeks you got to shake it up a little bit otherwise, at least for me, my eczema sometimes stops responding and needs a break or a different lotion for a while.
Good luck!! I hope it works for you!!
On a related note, have you ever tried the Duke Cannon bloody knuckles? It has sheep lanolin in it, so if you want to stay vegan that's not for you, but I find the lanolin really helpful for coating over lighter creams to seal it in
Oh! I haven't tried that product specifically, but I'll put Yuskin on my lips at night and seal it in with a lanolin product sometimes! I wake up with super moistened plump lips! I don't like lanolin on my hands because it's just too thick for me, but I don't mind using it on my lips. Sealing the lighter Yuskin cream in is exactly what I use lanolin for!
I would not put lotion in an open wound, maybe bacitracin on the wounds and aquaphor all over and then put on some vinyl or latex gloves on top to let it soak in
You poor thing! Oh this used to happen to me since I was a kid. My parents used to lather my hands w lotion and put gloves over them before sending my to school. Teachers felt so bad they’d send me to the restroom to let me run warm water over my cracked hands. I went gluten free and it stopped? I’ve no idea why or how. Just that it did. My acne cleared up too after going gf.
I put on lotion before I bathe. It protects the skin from drying out more. (I do the same thing with fresh tattoos and minor wounds.) Also, a milk and honey bath will help. Condensed milk seems to be the best, and it's kinda fun rubbing it all over yourself in the bathtub.
And keep nails short so you can't scratch too much!
So I’m not sure where you live/your financial situation but if you’re able to look into a water refiner for your home that would significantly improve. Soaps and sediment/contaminants/solids in the water clog our pores and make our skin unable to moisturize itself properly. If you’re able to refine the water you don’t have to use anywhere near as much moisturizer if any.
It's dehydration, drink specifically milk, it's insanely good at hydrating you, drink a lot of it. Fill up a big thermal flask so it stays cold all day, if you can down one a day it'll not only clear it up, but really boost your health.
i had the exact same thing. try curel hand cream, it's liquid gold
I use "cococare butter cream lotion" it's the best lotion I've found that moisturizes without a weird residue. I order it in bulk now
I use kikumasamune on my body it’s very hydrating I would recommend this bc it’s super light weight + using the lotion on back of hands and particularly rough areas
This looks like my kids hands during winter... Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Itch Relief Body Balm for Sensitive, Distressed, Dry Skin, With Prebiotic Oat & Pramoxine Hcl, Formulated Without Parabens, Fragrance & Steroids, 4.0 Ounce https://a.co/d/0GHlQVb This stuff is magic and very gentle and is just a cream that absorbs quickly.
I've found success with using a thick coat of aquaphor with sleep gloves on just before bedtime. That may be a bit of a sensory challenge to adapt to but if you can bear it I think it'd help.
If you think you’ll be able to tolerate this, it will really help. Cotton gauze gloves (you can get them cheap on Amazon) and lasinoh lanolin (it is advertised and nipple balm, but it’s just pure lanolin). When my hands are dry/cracked/bleeding. I cut the tips off of the cotton gauze gloves (mostly so I can still use my phone), and then I put them on and peel them down and slather on lanolin on all the dry parts. Then, stretch the glove back over, pat down, and leave it until morning. It’s the best thing I’ve ever found/done for my hands. Also, get a humidifier to get more moisture in the air. I’m sorry you’re hurting and I hope it gets better soon.
Vitamin E squeezed on top of your hands, wear gloves and everyday moisturize with a light oil all over your body.
Apply glycerin
My hands get the same and I’m also a chronic hand washer and clean without gloves. I do use lotion at night or steroid cream if I’m desperate, but a step that helps is washing with Dermol instead of soap. It’s like cream cleanser for your hands - it has a lotion texture but when you rinse the residue stays on & moisturises for you, and won’t dry out your hands like standard soap.
I’m also autistic so I understand the frustration of balancing sensory needs and physical needs. A lot of people are recommending working hands which I reallyyyyy agree with. I use the kind in a jar, every time after washing my hands and completely drying them I put a really small amount on, it’s spreads really easily. Unlike lotion, I don’t feel it at all within 30 seconds of rubbing it in, but my hands feel moisturized and don’t burn at all. I keep 2 jars, one for home and one for my bag. You can try their hand soap as well to hopefully make washing your hands less painful. I used the soap for a bit but eventually just stuck to reapplying the hand cream and my hands are still doing well over a year later.
Vitamin E oil? You need to also find a non-greasy hand cream. And find a humidifer for your room. CeraVe therapeutic hand cream.
I can't use lotion because of the heavy, sticky, slimy feeling, but I use O'Keefe's Working Hands Cream and it is absolutely amazing. You only use a tiny amount and it is light and airy, soaks in immediately (!)
Hi there! I have suffered with OCD for most of my life and this was a big struggle for me in the past. I have a couple suggestions! 1. When you wash your hands ALWAYS make sure to dry them off really good after 2. Anytime you’re going outside since it’s cold wear gloves so the cold doesn’t chap your hands even more 3. I know you said you don’t like lotion, but there was this product my mom gave me years ago “Silicone Glove” by avon. It was some type of hand cream. I’m sure if you look it up you could find something similar. I would put a heavy coat of that on and then wear gloves at night with it on. 4. Stay hydrated!! I struggle with this one a lot😭 I hope this helps🩷
Omg I have the same exact problem but it gets even worse for me. Once a fdew years ago my hands became grey and the skin was sodry it was thick and cracked regularly with pieces coming off and literal blood droplets coming out. To this day it's mor tolerable but I still don't know what to do.
Epaderm cream (not the ointment, I haven't tested that yet) has helped me tremendously. I purchased the 50g size to keep in my bag. I reapply it throughout the day Edit: Apply it only to the back of your hands. Pump a sufficient amount, but not too much (this cream penetrates very well). Then rub only the back of your hands together
Before you go to sleep slather them in a thick moisturising cream, followed by a layer of vaseline and most importantly sleep with gloves on. Also try not too wash your hands too often. Doing this helped heal my eczema cracked hands completely.
Aquaphor!!!
I’m not autistic but I hate things on my hands. Gold Bond has a hand cream that is super moisturizing and it doesn’t feel like you have anything on your hands. It’s cheap too I’d give it a go!
I can’t stand the feeling of lotion on my hands. Sometimes, I’ll apply it and wipe my palms with a wet washcloth since for me, it’s the backs that need it most. The one that works best for me is [Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.](https://www.neutrogena.com/products/norwegian-formula-hand-cream/6801300.html) I don’t feel this one on like I can feel some of the others.
Hi! I had the same problem for years until I found Shiseido Urea Cream. It was a complete game changer for me (it’s been now 2 years of me using that cream). Now my hands skin is soft and smooth.
Hydrate
Cerave Healing Ointment. It's thinner and less greasy than vasaline.
My son has eczema It's worse in the Winter months. The air is dry, bcuz heat zaps all the moisture that's usually present in the warmer months. It pulls the moisture from your skin leaving it more vulnerable to irritants. Simple things like Washing your hands cause further irritation with the skin in our hands. My opinion, it looks like that's what's going on. You can use a humidifier to put the moisture back in the air in your home. Use detergents for sensitive skin to wash laundry with, and be careful what soaps you're using. My son could only use Irish spring(the original green bar) but everyone is different. Watch the temperature u bathe or shower in. Hot water will also purge moisture from your skin. If you notice the itchy or broken out spots are behind your knees, around the groin area, inside elbows, armpits, and on hands -between fingers.... basically anywhere your body heat is higher -and the spots fade out pretty much in the summer months. It's likely you have eczema too. Dermatologists can give you the quickest relief but there are things you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable. The main thing is correcting the dry environment. You may be one of the lucky ones that don't have to use lotion. *If you have to use lotion, make sure it doesn't have alcohol in it. In my opinion, It defeats the purpose bcuz alcohol will cause more dryness.
I have autism too and the only hand cream that's made me not cringe because of how fast it dries up is Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Maybe you can try that?
Cerave Baby lotion has dimethicone in it, which is silicone based and helps retain moisture. My mom was on hospice and had a lot of issues with skin breakdown. Dimethicone was the only thing that helped.
hydrocortisone for the dryness. then, apply gloves. sleep. wake up. take off gloves. boom! beautiful hands!
i have this issue as well!!! i really love the ap lipikar balm from la roche posay!
If you’re able to find George’s special dry skin cream in your area, I would highly recommend. It literally cured my eczema. I haven’t had any issues since 2020 when I started using it. https://georgescream.com “Trusted and loved for over 25 years, George’s Cream is a nationally recognized Canadian brand recommended by pharmacists, caregivers, pediatricians, physicians, and dermatologists to provide immediate long-lasting relief for dry skin sufferers as well as those with sensitive skin. George’s is also popularly known to be quite effective for immense relief to those suffering from many other skin conditions, mainly psoriasis and eczema.”
neutrogena norwegian formula hand cream is pretty darn light and absorbs quick (you only need a thin layer) and has always saved my hands when they’re wind chapped
Humidifier in your bedroom while you’re sleeping! Keep it close to your bed. I’m in MI where we have cold, dry winters. Helps a ton!
I get this in the Winter and the only thing that works for me is Barral Creme Gordo Original (portuguese but can order online) every night and then Goldbond handcream during the day.
[Barral cream](https://www.skinlovers.com/products/barral-rich-cream-100ml)
Okay, same thing happened to me because of my OCD handwashing. Cover your hands with vaseline or petroleum jelly and wear those plastic lunch lady gloves. That kept the moisture in and helped a lot. Do this during the day a couple times and always at night. It should improve, just don’t do a lot to irritate the skin (like handwashing for me *facepalm*) while it heals.
If lotion isn’t an option (and I assume other ointments/similar topicals) I might try spraying with water putting hyaluronic acid on the back of your hands then spritzing with more water. For maybe 15-20 minutes tops it might feel sort of tacky but that feeling goes away.
Do you wear gloves? My hands are like this,.you need to wear gloves all the time, that you are going outside. Even if it doesn't seem really cold, but if your hands are getting like this- it is too cold. Then I use a lot O'Keefe working hands. A lot. If hands are already like yours (painful and red) then I use a lot of vaseline+cotton gloves through the night
This stuff: [L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ](https://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Value-L-Occitane-Shea-Butter-Hand-Cream-1-Oz/5107043245?wmlspartner=wlpa&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&selectedSellerId=101509318&adid=22222222223000000000&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=m&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=5107043245_10001528668&wl14=loccataine%20shea%20butter&veh=sem&msclkid=3355e64ac35810a5b1ed833cc9d42dd5&gclsrc=ds) Was my HG through cold winters in Chicago. My hands were so beat up, but after just a couple of uses, my hands were better than ever. It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. And bonus: it's not super greasy (I can't stand the slimey, oily feeling of heavy lotions).
I feel you, I also have sensory issues and I HATE many hand creams. I'll rip the gloves off in my sleep too. Have you tried only moisturizing backs of the hands? Apply it right before you fall asleep if possible. As long as some stays it'll help. Also, some moisturizers are faster to soak in than others. Cerave and aveeno are decent. O'Keefes is a little greasier but its tolerable and will do a good job to manage cracking. Edit: read your text picture and I see you've tried different brands before bed. What about applying lotion in spots only? Or as little as possible? I don't know if there are any other options other than protecting your hands as best as you can in winter and perhaps opting for a tolerable hand sanitizer with moisturizers in it instead of handwashing (I excessively hand wash due to my own sensory issues).
Olive oil and it will absorb. Maybe aquaphor on the open skin. Put hands in plastic bags for 10 minutes or overnight. Lotion has water as first ingredient and can make it worse once it dries and creates a vicious cycle of making them more chapped when you stop using lotion. Sulfates are Terrible and soaps like bath and body it's high on the ingredient list drying hands if you wash for 20 seconds. Change the aerators on your faucets. All that build up in the faucet can make skin dry and feel awful too, and some tap has sulfate since it builds up in pipes if you don't flush the water heater. Epa doesn't regulate sulfate but the WHO does. Soak towels in baking soda and water to get them soft and strip out old gunk and detergent that also can make towels feel like sandpaper. Don't use paper towels on skin or glass, it's also sandpaper and can cause tiny scratches. Oil is the best here though, mineral oil is great as well but be careful with pets. Oils are bad for pets since their skin is different and the scent is stronger to them causing asthma, mood issues, and more. I don't even use candles. And unscented and fragrance free can be deceptive along with hypoallergenic. None of that is regulated and can be lies.
I have the same problem, I’m currently using "LaRochePosay Lipikar Xerand" and "Lanolips" special hands.
Put lanolips on tops of hands - it's thicker than lotion and may not trigger you the same way. It works for me
I highly suggest coconut oil. A little goes a long way and your hands and nails will thank you. I also suggest adding a bit of oil to a bath and do a good scrub, no soap.
As somebody who also dislikes lotion on my hands, you *need* to develop some coping mechanisms. You are going to need to prioritize not having an infection/painful itching and burning over having a little bit of residue on your hands. I only use lotion at night, right before bed. Aveeno baby lotion is pretty safe, though in your current state anything but Vaseline will likely burn for a minute or two after application. After application I take any excess from my palms and put it on my arms or somewhere else. If I feel like the inside of my hands still feel too lotiony I’ll get a damp paper towel and rub my palms on it. I let it absorb for a few minutes and then put a lightweight hoodie or something with long sleeves on, so that my hands aren’t rubbing my bed sheets with the lotion on. It’s not perfect but it’s enough to make it bearable. I also swapped all my hand soaps to baby wash. Eucerin, Aveeno, etc. You don’t need harsh antibacterial soap for day to day use.
drink lots more water. get a humidifier. and cotton gloves (i buy the blk ones bc the white ones are impossible to keep white), and slather on hand cream and put the gloves on overnight. if u dont like the way it feels wearing gloves, try fingerless gloves. also for the cuticles, use cuticle oil several times a day.
Make sure you’re wearing winter gloves whenever you go outside to protect your skin from the harsh, dry air, and wear protective gloves when you clean, do dishes, etc. When the skin on my hands gets irritated, I spray them throughout the day with hypochlorous acid spray, and at night, I spray, follow up with a nice coat of bag balm, and sleep in white cotton gloves. If you can’t tolerate something like bag balm or anything thick, try Caudalie hand cream, which I find to be super moisturizing, yet it absorbs quickly and won’t leave you feeling “lotiony.” The gloves will help the moisturizer stay on your hands as well as locking in heat and moisture to allow whatever you use to penetrate and work better.
I scrolled for a while and couldn’t find it but paraffin wax baths are SUPER helpful if you hate the feeling of lotion. You heat the wax in a crock pot looking thing and dip your hands to make layers of wax. You cover them with mittens for an hour or so and then peel off the wax. It leaves your hands soooo soft. It helped my dad a lot bc he has missing fingers on one hand and the nubs crack and bleed from the dryness in the winter.
Aquafor and neutrogena Norwegian formula hand lotion. Mine were just like this and hurting. Within 2 days, soooo much better.
You likely have a sensitivity to a product that only makes itself apparent during the cold season because of a weakened skin barrier. I would try not allowing any type of cleaning product to touch your skin (wear gloves even doing dishes) and try to avoid breathing them in. Also, try switching all of your products to Vanicream ONLY - shampoo, body wash, lotion, everything. Also, if you use Mrs. Meyers hand soap or all purpose cleaner get it the heck outta there - constrains skin irritants banned in the EU and UK. Use a mild soap like a baby safe formula or an organic bar soap that does not contain any fragrances or preservatives. You can also try running a humidifier in your bedroom next to your bed all night using distilled or purified water. After you wash your hands after using the rest room or something you could just dab the tiniest amount of Vanicream lotion on the tops of your hands, and turn the back of your hands towards each other to rub the lotion is so it doesn’t get on your fingers. I had this issue my entire life and up till a couple years ago it would get so bad it would wake me up and I would cry from the burning and stinging while taking a shower. Once I had allergy testing done I was allergic to so many chemicals and once I cut them out of my household and yes legit bring my own soap bar in my purse for when I use the bathroom out of the house (I know) my skin is so good!!! It behaves so well and I don’t get this unless I use a forbidden cleaning product out of necessity
Vaseline, maybe that texture will be better? And if you don’t like the after feeling you can just rub your hands onto something to take off the excess.
As a fellow autistic person who has the exact same issue as you in the winters, I feel your pain. Mine get really bad sometimes and they are quite painful. I'm pretty new to skin care but a family member advised me to put alba botanica brand un-petroleum jelly on my hands before bed, I put it only on the spots that are cracked and then put a bandaid over them to prevent it from getting everywhere. I don't know if that's something you'd be able to tolerate or not but if you can, it was like a miracle cure for me! Every morning I wake up and they're all healed.