What about hand care/lotion?

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garnet131
garnet131 Member Posts: 64
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

As someone who kept hand lotion everywhere (desk, car, by bed, by chair, etc) and used it all the time, I've been watching my hands deteriorate for months now. Since lotions are bad for the glove that I'm wearing almost every waking hour, what can I do?  What does everyone do to deal with this problem?

While I was in bandages, at one visit to my hairdresser when part of my other hand was like sandpaper, she did a paraffin dip in her daughter's (manicurist) wax and that helped a lot. I'm not a manicure person--only had one in my life, but really having a tough time dealing with these hands and cuticles.

Garnet

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2012

    If paraffin helps, consider getting a home "paraffin wax bath" (those are the search terms you'll want--but I suspect you'll find them available locally).   Not terribly expensive, and you can give your hands a treatment when you're between gloves/wraps.

    Glad you found something that helps!

    LisaAlissa 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    Garnett, you need to moisturize your hand/arm--just let it sink in before you put on the glove. I personally use vanicream

    http://www.psico.com/products/vanicream_skin_cream.cfm 

    I'd be concerned about the paraffin bath due to the warmth.

    The lotion won't adversely impact the gloves, and you have to do it to avoid dry skin.

    Kira 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2012

    Garnet, my LE therapist said any lotion that is water-based (one of the first ingredients listed would be 'aqua') then it won't harm the sleeve or glove. She also emphasized the importance of moisturizing the affected hand and arm since dry skin can crack, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited January 2012

    Garnet--My therapist also said to use a water based lotion and just be sure to let it dry before putting on sleeve or glove back on.  It has not seemed to hurt my fabric.  Becky

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited January 2012

    I also use vanicream.  I too would be afraid of the warmth of the wax causing more problems on the LE. 

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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    Wow--thanks for all the answers. Guess I took the "no lotion" instructions with my sleeve/glove a bit too literally. I have a big bottle of Eucerin Plus from when I was bandaging and see that it has water as the first ingredient. So as soon as I read all your posts, I threw sleeve/glove in the washer and slathered my arm and hand with Eucerin!

    I hadn't been using the Eucerin because I use thicker body butters after I shower (on all but LE arm), but now will use the Eucerin on arm. My LE hand at least got some treatment while spreading the body butter, but poor arm has been neglected, though not showing any effects. But then I'd be sure to wash it off hand before putting on glove.  It's both hands that are seriously dry. I need to be more conscientious about putting lotion on as soon as I take off garments at night--when I sometimes even "go bare" for an hour before bed (if I'm just sitting around. Laughing

    FYI - Only mentioned the wax treatment in reference to how bad my non-bandaged hand was from lack of lotion. I am not thinking of getting one--trying to simplify my life, not add another appliance.

    Garnet

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  • hotandcold
    hotandcold Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2012

    Another vote for Vanicream.  I've even got my husband using it.  It absorbs in 2 min. I put it on right after I shower and the lotion up the rest of me with some less expensive stuff. It's worth the money.

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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    I'll be looking for the Vanicream next time I'm at CVS.

    Garnet

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    Garnet, at CVS, I go to the pharmacy and ask if they have any, or they order it for me. It's on the shelves at Walgrens.

    Kira

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited January 2012

    I like Bioron's calendula cream.  My radiation oncologist suggested it for use during radiation treatment.  It doesn't smell, dries fast, is soothing and doesn't stain clothing (or sheets whe doing MLD).  Haven't tried vanicream yet -- Does it stain clothing?  KS1

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited January 2012
    I use Vanicream from Walgreen's.  No stains, dries fast.  Becky
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  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for the info, Kira.  I can just go to Walgreens then--they're on every other corner. Wink

    Might also check out the Bioron cream, as I've used other products of theirs and mostly shop at food coop that carries their stuff.

    Already see a difference on my hands since I've started using the Eucerin--so glad I asked the question!

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