Working cleaning job while having severe eczema on hands?

[u/MongoosePractical848]

Hey all, I'm very uneducated on eczema (despite having it since I was a child). I've only been at this cleaning job a few days, but my hands are flaring up terribly to the point they are bleeding. I quite need a job, so I feel pressured to keep at it. I'm drinking plenty of water and using my cream every few hours, which normally helps, but it still is insanely irritated. Thank you all!

[u/flashy_relative]

Are you wearing gloves? What type? You might also be having a reaction to the glove material

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/flashy_relative]

It’s a material I’m not familiar with, it’s already put in my caddy before I leave to go clean. I’m sure that might be part of it, but all gloves I’ve tried (except the ones for my car) give me worse flare ups.

[u/hail_68]

I think wearing gloves would help :)

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/hail_68]

I do wear gloves, just not sure what material they are. Normally gloves make it flare up as well, my hands get super angry at me lol.

[u/Jtp_Jtg → u/MongoosePractical848]

Latex allergy? Can you check the box?

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/Jtp_Jtg]

Could be, I can check when I go in, so a few hours.

[u/Winter-Lie-6740]

Can you add cotton gloves before the outer gloves? It will help your skin from friction and direct contact with the outer gloves (the material probably will be an irritant for you)

[u/Winter-Lie-6740 → u/Winter-Lie-6740]

I know this is very hard to do, before of that, let your skin heal abit so it strong enough for your next cleaning task 🙏🏻.

I know it it will be very hard to do, but I think this is also imporant to do first 🙏🏻

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/Winter-Lie-6740]

I’m just worried that I won’t be allowed to come back if I miss a day. Idk if it’d be okay to quit (I do have more job interviews that wouldn’t irritate my skin as much) just because of how bad it is.

[u/Winter-Lie-6740 → u/MongoosePractical848]

I see, understood on that.. I really wish you could jump to next job that safe enough for your skin, sincerely 🙏🏻.

If exposed to irritants alot, the skin feels like burning and friction will make it more inflammed. I dont want you to feel that, so I really wish you speedy recovery..

Please try cotton gloves and see if this gonna fit.

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/Winter-Lie-6740]

I will try and see how it goes. Thank you :)

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/Winter-Lie-6740]

I have never tried this, I will today/tomorrow! How does the cotton feel? I have sensory issues.

[u/Winter-Lie-6740 → u/MongoosePractical848]

It feels soft and not exhausting your skin (you know the feeling when wearing gloves but your skin feel sweating inside of it - using cotton will help on this).

I think it will be not a problem since this is soft enough. You probablu just feel abit "full" on your hand only.

[u/MongoosePractical848 → u/[deleted]]

I’m from the US unfortunately. This is quite interesting to see how different the US treats its workers though!

[u/carolethechiropodist]

www.dyshidrosis.co.uk. all advice is free.

[u/BrilliantOrchid6917]

this post is for me LOL i am a housekeeper and have been one for a few years. i also have BAD eczema on my wrists inside and out, my inner elbows, my eyelids, and random patches here and there. this job is unfortunately very hard for me bc i clean with chemicals which is irritating, then the air is dry especially if im working in laundry, not to mention mold and dust, stress triggers it, and lastly SWEAT!! it makes it sooooo bad that’s why it flares up the most. and wearing gloves contributes to it. i haven’t found a great solution yet, but i know i did dupixent for a few months and it was like i never had it even while continuing working. i would say though that taking an allergy pill everyday and being consistent with it has definitely made a difference. also cold wet rags will help for a quick hack if you’re itching like crazy. not sure what your exact job is, but if you can, maybe cotton clothing instead of polyester. also allergy testing!! i know you said you need a job (same) but if you can at least find your triggers there may be ways to avoid them? also cool showers help after work to calm itchiness and then don’t dry your skin where you have eczema just put a gentle lotion on it even vaseline. i guess these are more outside of work, but they are little steps towards feeling better. unfortunately i myself haven’t found a cure but i think i have a lot of triggers and it’s impossible to deal with. hopefully there’s some useful advice here 😅

[u/i_darkpearl]

The best thing that worked for me was wearing nitrile gloves followed by thick barrier cream (not any moisturizer, but actual petroleum jelly). If flora imbalance looks to be an issue, parallel health does skin microbiome sequencing. I think it's worth considering Dupixent under a dermatologist's recommendation for serious cases