melanie in mary
11-06-2004, 08:28 AM
My cuticles are constantly dried out. I suppose from water, etc.. But the skin actually tears around my nail. This hurts. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks :cool:
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Marti
11-06-2004, 05:46 PM
My cuticles are constantly dried out. I suppose from water, etc.. But the skin actually tears around my nail. This hurts. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks :cool:
When the skin and nails become dried out from overexposure to chemicals (even water is a chemical), they will split and peel. Yes, it is very painful when it happens to the skin. Try wearing gloves when having your hands inwater for longer than 3 minutes, or whenever using any type of household cleaning solution. Go to Sally Beauty Supply and get a bottle of Botanical Oil from the nail department. Apply it to the skin and nails at least twisce daily and massage in. Apply more often depending on how often you have your hands wet or if they become dry during the day.
When the skin and nails become dried out from overexposure to chemicals (even water is a chemical), they will split and peel. Yes, it is very painful when it happens to the skin. Try wearing gloves when having your hands inwater for longer than 3 minutes, or whenever using any type of household cleaning solution. Go to Sally Beauty Supply and get a bottle of Botanical Oil from the nail department. Apply it to the skin and nails at least twisce daily and massage in. Apply more often depending on how often you have your hands wet or if they become dry during the day.
mel1977
11-09-2004, 04:55 AM
other treatments:
Neosporin with pain reliever-put a layer on the affected skin and wrap a band aid on it and leave on over night. During the day, use Sally Hansen Hands, nails and cuticle creme. I would swear by this stuff. It is really great. Cuticle oil is good too, you can also get a heavier hand cream and wear gloves on over night. Good luck!
Neosporin with pain reliever-put a layer on the affected skin and wrap a band aid on it and leave on over night. During the day, use Sally Hansen Hands, nails and cuticle creme. I would swear by this stuff. It is really great. Cuticle oil is good too, you can also get a heavier hand cream and wear gloves on over night. Good luck!
Marti
11-09-2004, 08:43 AM
other treatments:
Neosporin with pain reliever-put a layer on the affected skin and wrap a band aid on it and leave on over night. During the day, use Sally Hansen Hands, nails and cuticle creme. I would swear by this stuff. It is really great. Cuticle oil is good too, you can also get a heavier hand cream and wear gloves on over night. Good luck!
I wouldn't recommend wearing a bandaid - especially over a fingernail. Bandaids are notorious for allowing excess moisture to build up in the skin and nail. Excess moisture is just what bacteria need to live. Apply the ointment or oil, but do not cover it. Just apply your treatment more often during the day.
Neosporin with pain reliever-put a layer on the affected skin and wrap a band aid on it and leave on over night. During the day, use Sally Hansen Hands, nails and cuticle creme. I would swear by this stuff. It is really great. Cuticle oil is good too, you can also get a heavier hand cream and wear gloves on over night. Good luck!
I wouldn't recommend wearing a bandaid - especially over a fingernail. Bandaids are notorious for allowing excess moisture to build up in the skin and nail. Excess moisture is just what bacteria need to live. Apply the ointment or oil, but do not cover it. Just apply your treatment more often during the day.
mel1977
11-09-2004, 03:23 PM
I do this often and have no problems. You dont put it over the nail just the bed of the cuticle-enough to make sure it is covered. You need to make sure your hands are clean-don't forget neosporin is an antibiotic-we use it often in hospitals and yes, sometimes over the nail. If you leave on overnight only, you will be fine. No different than having a cut on your finger.
Marti
11-09-2004, 04:21 PM
I do this often and have no problems. You dont put it over the nail just the bed of the cuticle-enough to make sure it is covered. You need to make sure your hands are clean-don't forget neosporin is an antibiotic-we use it often in hospitals and yes, sometimes over the nail. If you leave on overnight only, you will be fine. No different than having a cut on your finger.
The reason I said not to cover ANY portion of the nail plate with a bandaid, regardless of antibacterial ointment, is because the bacterium that mostly invades the spaces between the nail plate layers and between the nail plate and the nail bed is pseudomonas, and this type of bacterial infection dearly LOVES the nail plate - even more so when it is chock full of moisture, oils and contaminates.
My friend Dottie is a surgical nurse and didn't follow my advice on NOT wearing bandaids over her nails (fingers OR toes) and ended up with a very serious pseudomonas infection due to the excess moisture that built up in the nail plate. Pseudomonas live on our skin, in dirt/sand, etc., are airborne, thrive on doorknobs and any other 'contaminated' surfaces. They are not a problem unless there is a cut, tear or break to the skin or to the seal surrounding the nail unit, and split, torn or ragged cuticles is the perfect superhighway for them to enter and set up housekeeping.
It is MUCH better to apply your treatment in smaller amounts, more times per day than to hope one or two applications covered with a bandaid will do the trick. I do not keep any bandaids in my house, much less use them. I just think they are useless where nails and cuticles are concerned. That's JMHO! Take that from an award winning nail technician and educator of over 35 years experience. When any of my clients came into the salon wearing any type of bandaid over thier nails/cuticles, it was just about an even bet that I would find pseudomonas (the greenies) under the bandaid.
The reason I said not to cover ANY portion of the nail plate with a bandaid, regardless of antibacterial ointment, is because the bacterium that mostly invades the spaces between the nail plate layers and between the nail plate and the nail bed is pseudomonas, and this type of bacterial infection dearly LOVES the nail plate - even more so when it is chock full of moisture, oils and contaminates.
My friend Dottie is a surgical nurse and didn't follow my advice on NOT wearing bandaids over her nails (fingers OR toes) and ended up with a very serious pseudomonas infection due to the excess moisture that built up in the nail plate. Pseudomonas live on our skin, in dirt/sand, etc., are airborne, thrive on doorknobs and any other 'contaminated' surfaces. They are not a problem unless there is a cut, tear or break to the skin or to the seal surrounding the nail unit, and split, torn or ragged cuticles is the perfect superhighway for them to enter and set up housekeeping.
It is MUCH better to apply your treatment in smaller amounts, more times per day than to hope one or two applications covered with a bandaid will do the trick. I do not keep any bandaids in my house, much less use them. I just think they are useless where nails and cuticles are concerned. That's JMHO! Take that from an award winning nail technician and educator of over 35 years experience. When any of my clients came into the salon wearing any type of bandaid over thier nails/cuticles, it was just about an even bet that I would find pseudomonas (the greenies) under the bandaid.
mel1977
11-10-2004, 01:39 AM
well, I understand, but my cuticles are BAD. Not just the cuticle but the side of my fingers from chewing (I know that is gross ). The bandaids are the only things that work for me. I am in nursing and keeping lotion, meds or anything on my nails just doesn't happen. My skin looks more cut-does that make sense? I quit smoking and my fingers went straight to my mouth. I use other products too during the day, but have found that the bandaids work for me. NOW, b/c you obviously know more about this than I, what signs or symptoms should I look for where this infection is concerned, just incase? I really would appreciate it, even though I may bring it on myself.
Marti
11-10-2004, 08:50 AM
well, I understand, but my cuticles are BAD. Not just the cuticle but the side of my fingers from chewing (I know that is gross ). The bandaids are the only things that work for me. I am in nursing and keeping lotion, meds or anything on my nails just doesn't happen. My skin looks more cut-does that make sense? I quit smoking and my fingers went straight to my mouth. I use other products too during the day, but have found that the bandaids work for me. NOW, b/c you obviously know more about this than I, what signs or symptoms should I look for where this infection is concerned, just incase? I really would appreciate it, even though I may bring it on myself.
Pseudomonas begins as a light yellow stain on the nail plate, it will then progress through the stages of light green, darker bright green, brown then black. It can attack the nail plate itself, or enter into the space between the nail plate and the nail bed if there is a cut, break or tear to the sealed skin surrounding the nail unit. If the bacterium invades this space, it can cause the nail plate to separate from the nail bed. If you are in nursing, then you know that pseudomonas is everywhere - it is the bacteria responsible for pneumonia and many patients aquire pneumonia while in the hospital because it is rampant in hospitals. Simple handwashing will 'kill' the bacterium, but as we know, most nurses do not wash their hands before OR after touching a patient, much less wear gloves. Wearing a bandaid can allow that area to harbor the bacterium regardles of if you have applied antibacterial ointment underneath the bandaid. Sticking your fingers in your mouth only makes the bacteria colony worse because everything you touch has the potential to transfer the bacteria to your skin, then to your mouth. As a nurse, I am suprised that the hospital or the doctors you work with allow you to wear bandaids all the time. Why not wash your hands really well, dry them really well, apply the ointment, then pull on a pair of surgical gloves - this may work better for you, but the final decision is yours.
Pseudomonas begins as a light yellow stain on the nail plate, it will then progress through the stages of light green, darker bright green, brown then black. It can attack the nail plate itself, or enter into the space between the nail plate and the nail bed if there is a cut, break or tear to the sealed skin surrounding the nail unit. If the bacterium invades this space, it can cause the nail plate to separate from the nail bed. If you are in nursing, then you know that pseudomonas is everywhere - it is the bacteria responsible for pneumonia and many patients aquire pneumonia while in the hospital because it is rampant in hospitals. Simple handwashing will 'kill' the bacterium, but as we know, most nurses do not wash their hands before OR after touching a patient, much less wear gloves. Wearing a bandaid can allow that area to harbor the bacterium regardles of if you have applied antibacterial ointment underneath the bandaid. Sticking your fingers in your mouth only makes the bacteria colony worse because everything you touch has the potential to transfer the bacteria to your skin, then to your mouth. As a nurse, I am suprised that the hospital or the doctors you work with allow you to wear bandaids all the time. Why not wash your hands really well, dry them really well, apply the ointment, then pull on a pair of surgical gloves - this may work better for you, but the final decision is yours.
mel1977
11-11-2004, 03:18 AM
I dont' wear bandaids at work, I wear gloves and wash my hands. Plus, I haven't worked in four months and my cuticles have only been really bad b/c of the amount of pain I am in-I am on disability right now. The ONLY time I suggested using the bandaids was overnight-since you don't touch your nails during that time. WE HAVE to wear bandaides or some cover if we have open skin though from a cut-it is policy. BUT< we clean the cut well with iodine and alcohol. Of course, you can't keep a bandaid on well when you do wash your hands so often. actually there are many reasons pneumonia is aquired, the most common is through inhilation. But, that is just something I have learned through work and experience in a hospital setting.
I never said I didn't wash my hands, infact, I get severely chapped skin all the time from washing them so much-they turn bright red, crack and become very sore. That comes not only from washing them so much, but also putting on the powdered latex gloves right after-and I do dry my hands the best I can.
I appreciate your help with the symptoms though.
I never said I didn't wash my hands, infact, I get severely chapped skin all the time from washing them so much-they turn bright red, crack and become very sore. That comes not only from washing them so much, but also putting on the powdered latex gloves right after-and I do dry my hands the best I can.
I appreciate your help with the symptoms though.
Marti
11-11-2004, 09:36 AM
I dont' wear bandaids at work, I wear gloves and wash my hands. Plus, I haven't worked in four months and my cuticles have only been really bad b/c of the amount of pain I am in-I am on disability right now. The ONLY time I suggested using the bandaids was overnight-since you don't touch your nails during that time. WE HAVE to wear bandaides or some cover if we have open skin though from a cut-it is policy. BUT< we clean the cut well with iodine and alcohol. Of course, you can't keep a bandaid on well when you do wash your hands so often. actually there are many reasons pneumonia is aquired, the most common is through inhilation. But, that is just something I have learned through work and experience in a hospital setting.
I never said I didn't wash my hands, infact, I get severely chapped skin all the time from washing them so much-they turn bright red, crack and become very sore. That comes not only from washing them so much, but also putting on the powdered latex gloves right after-and I do dry my hands the best I can.
I appreciate your help with the symptoms though.
Ok, now we have gotten down to the possible source of your problem! Have you ever thought that you may be allergic to the Latex? You might have to switch to a different type of glove. Latex allergies, or allergies to powdered gloves, will often manifest themselves in this manner; especially when it effect the skin on the entire hand and not just around the nails.
Try using gloves made with something other than latex and try to get ones that ren't powdered. If you are allergic to the powder or the latex, your hands should improve dramatically!
Allergic reaction occurs after 'repeated' adn 'prolonged' contact to a potential allergen, adn now I am suspecting it is the gloves and/or the powder and not just the water.
I never said I didn't wash my hands, infact, I get severely chapped skin all the time from washing them so much-they turn bright red, crack and become very sore. That comes not only from washing them so much, but also putting on the powdered latex gloves right after-and I do dry my hands the best I can.
I appreciate your help with the symptoms though.
Ok, now we have gotten down to the possible source of your problem! Have you ever thought that you may be allergic to the Latex? You might have to switch to a different type of glove. Latex allergies, or allergies to powdered gloves, will often manifest themselves in this manner; especially when it effect the skin on the entire hand and not just around the nails.
Try using gloves made with something other than latex and try to get ones that ren't powdered. If you are allergic to the powder or the latex, your hands should improve dramatically!
Allergic reaction occurs after 'repeated' adn 'prolonged' contact to a potential allergen, adn now I am suspecting it is the gloves and/or the powder and not just the water.
KrFr
11-11-2004, 12:55 PM
That makes sense. Isn't latex an aquired allergy. "Aquired" may not be the right word. I mean, isn't it an allergy that you could get from over exposure? I think I also heard it can get worse with every exposure. That could really mean trouble for someone in the nursing field. I've enjoyed reading this thread. One of my cuticles has gotten very cracked and seems "looser". I have been using the Botanical oil from Sallys and it has helped a lot.
Marti
11-11-2004, 02:29 PM
That makes sense. Isn't latex an aquired allergy. "Aquired" may not be the right word. I mean, isn't it an allergy that you could get from over exposure? I think I also heard it can get worse with every exposure. That could really mean trouble for someone in the nursing field. I've enjoyed reading this thread. One of my cuticles has gotten very cracked and seems "looser". I have been using the Botanical oil from Sallys and it has helped a lot.
ALL allergies are 'aquired' from repeated and prolonged contact to a substance that the skin deems an 'irritant'. There are two kinds of allergic reaction: contact and irritant. Yes, allergic reaction will worsen with each exposure. I get numerous email from my website inquiring about allergies to acrylics. Usually, they want to know if they can switch to either gel or wraps. I have to explain to them that ALL artificial nail products are acrylic, including gels, wrap resins and nail adhesives (glue). The general rule is that once we are allergic, we are allergic for life.
ALL allergies are 'aquired' from repeated and prolonged contact to a substance that the skin deems an 'irritant'. There are two kinds of allergic reaction: contact and irritant. Yes, allergic reaction will worsen with each exposure. I get numerous email from my website inquiring about allergies to acrylics. Usually, they want to know if they can switch to either gel or wraps. I have to explain to them that ALL artificial nail products are acrylic, including gels, wrap resins and nail adhesives (glue). The general rule is that once we are allergic, we are allergic for life.
mel1977
11-11-2004, 06:09 PM
I wondered if I had an allergey to latex, but that is the only time you'll see a problem. I actually think I am seriously over drying my hands. After washing the hands, I can't always get all the water completely dried off, so the powder is probably the culprit. I try to use non powdered gloves when ever possible, but can't always. So, I do think it is the powder-it doesn't happen when I use regular gloves. Sucks though, especially when we run out of the ones w/o powder.