Hi as you may know I'm a HCA in a hospital and things have been very different recently with PPE. So I now have to wear a safety glasses and a vapour resistant surgical mask for 8 hours a day. My problem is that my cheeks are getting sore from all the moisture sitting against my skin (from breathing out into a mask). I wash my face in sensitive wash twice a day and apply light facial moisturiser. Does anyone have nay ideas what could help my skin stay in tact please?
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Not a dermatologist, but Sudocrem has been a godsend to me when i worked in the steel industry in stifling conditions wearing PPE.
Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not sure my face would cope with sudocreme. I have tried using the barrier cream at work. But it makes my skin spotty and sore.
I feel for you, hope you can get a solution.
Have you tried Bepanthen? It is a nappy rash cream but adults can use it and it acts as barrier to stop sores and rashes forming and helps recovery of skin.
Thanks, but it's really thick and I think it will make me more spotty. I know I sound really ungrateful, sorry that's not the case, I'm grateful for your support/suggestions.
What about Lanacane anti-chafing gel? I used to use it as a make-up primer years ago.
Not a specialist but the owner of some very sensitive skin! Maybe an emoliant like Dermol, it isn't heavy on the skin, it helps and nourishes the skin so it can heal.
The skin on my face and neck has become very dry and itchy over the last few weeks. A few things help: hydromol, slapped on overnight; Avene's skin recovery cream (from Boots - bit pricy but good); antihistamine tablets - over the counter; a light steroid cream - also over the counter but the 1% one. Moisturisers with hyaluronic acid - again, Boots sell a good one. CeraVe products are also great - again, Boots or online. I'm not a dermatologist. Good luck!
I’m a nurse and our advise was not to use any sort of cream as it will affect the barrier. I’m really struggling with my hands and arms, I get Rash’s if I work 2 long days. Reckon I wash my hands 200 times at a minimum if I have a team of patients. I wish this was all over and quickly
GoGirl12 wrote:
MsR I would be very very careful with steriod cream on the face, Elidel cream is preferable to steriod cream
Thank you, and I know. I'm using it on the advice my my GP, just for a few days at a time.
Have you tried Tropics skincare? I've used it for a number of years and really rate it. I use the Tamanu balm which is a natural product but helps calm and soothe inflamed skin. It's not for everyone as it can be seen as a MLM product but you could see if there is someone in your area who sells it?
BL140505 wrote:
I’m a nurse and our advise was not to use any sort of cream as it will affect the barrier. I’m really struggling with my hands and arms, I get Rash’s if I work 2 long days. Reckon I wash my hands 200 times at a minimum if I have a team of patients. I wish this was all over and quickly
We have been advised not to use creams, but also to use emollient, so that seems a bit mixed to me as advice goes. To help your hands I have been using a real thick hand cream, and wearing cotton gloves overnight so the moisture soaked into the skin and not on the bedsheets. My hands are ok, dry but not too bad.
Thanks for all the suggestions, this could go on for months or even years so I'm hoping my skin gets use to this.
Lush Dream Cream has worked well for us. 👍
On the hands front, have you tried that cream that's in a round green pot. It's called Working hands I think. It's pretty pricey as hand cream goes but certainly still under £10. Lots of people I know swear by it as does my sister who is a district nurse!Fun Louise wrote:
BL140505 wrote:
I’m a nurse and our advise was not to use any sort of cream as it will affect the barrier. I’m really struggling with my hands and arms, I get Rash’s if I work 2 long days. Reckon I wash my hands 200 times at a minimum if I have a team of patients. I wish this was all over and quickly
We have been advised not to use creams, but also to use emollient, so that seems a bit mixed to me as advice goes. To help your hands I have been using a real thick hand cream, and wearing cotton gloves overnight so the moisture soaked into the skin and not on the bedsheets. My hands are ok, dry but not too bad.
Aveeno lotion (not hand cream) applied after hand-washing. It's very effective but not heavy so won't cause too much drag getting gloves back on.
Lovehoney sells what could be your new best friend - Pjur Med Cleansing Spray. It will kill any microbes that could cause a problem and help with soreness. I've used it to clear my daughter's hormonal acne after she went on the pill so I know it's safe to use on the face. She'd used anibiotic lotions but they didn't clear it but the PM worked like magic. Just spray into your hands or on a cotton pad to apply and avoid your eyes.
If your safety glasses are reusable you can sanitise the parts that touch your skin with it, too.
Your moisturiser should have some "slip" so there's no friction with your masks, but not oily enough to cause the mask to slip. Clinique's Moisture Surge is light, won't clog your pores or make your skin oily. It will help protect your skin from moisture from water vapour yet keep your natural barrier intact. I use it over my eyelids to help relive dry eyes.
I know that sounded cotradictory but there's a big difference between the damp caused by vapours or water and the moisture that your skin needs.
I can see where the advice you're being given comes from. Your skin will suffer under these conditions - we went through it when my partner (also an ex-steel worker who used used full PPE in 1500 degree heat - waves to WillC). was working in the steel works. The area my partner worked in was known as Canesten Central due to the sweaty conditions causing lots of fungal infections! Driving a lorry is a LOT easier on the skin. Now if only he'd remember the sunscreen.
Anyway, maybe try a heavier emollient when you're off duty to help repair your skin but keep clear of the heavy stuff with your kit on. Slathering a bit of Sudocrem (or other mild baby bum cream like Boots Zinc & Castor) on to wear for a few hours as a face mask on days off might be very comforting, too.
If you're interested in taking skincare a step further look at any of the French Pharmacy creams that contain copper (Bioderma Cicabio is one of my faves for healing and repairing). They're very reasonably priced, usually way under a tenner. Check out a company called Escentual (.com) for these as they sell a lot, have comprehensive reviews (just like Lovehoney) and frequently have a third off their French pharmacy brands. (I think I'm allowed to mention them as they don't sell sex toys or any other items in competition with Lovehoney.)
Hope this helps a bit.
Forever his ♡ wrote:
On the hands front, have you tried that cream that's in a round green pot. It's called Working hands I think. It's pretty pricey as hand cream goes but certainly still under £10. Lots of people I know swear by it as does my sister who is a district nurse!Fun Louise wrote:
BL140505 wrote:
I’m a nurse and our advise was not to use any sort of cream as it will affect the barrier. I’m really struggling with my hands and arms, I get Rash’s if I work 2 long days. Reckon I wash my hands 200 times at a minimum if I have a team of patients. I wish this was all over and quickly
We have been advised not to use creams, but also to use emollient, so that seems a bit mixed to me as advice goes. To help your hands I have been using a real thick hand cream, and wearing cotton gloves overnight so the moisture soaked into the skin and not on the bedsheets. My hands are ok, dry but not too bad.
Thanks yes I know the one you mean and I really don't like it, it doesn't suit me, the burns bees is better for me, but recently I have been using Australian heel balm on my hands, a bit greasy, but it really softens and moisturises the skin. It also has urea in it. With a pair of cotton gloves it fine to go to bed in.
VR thanks for the info and suggestions, I will look at the website.
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