What saltwater does to us

[acharpenter]

I have had Eczema since I was like 4 years old. It went away until I was in my early 20's but was still manageable

For those who do not know what Eczema is, it is a Hereditary skin condition that causes your skin to be UNBELIEVABLY sensitive. You need to keep the skin moisturized like you wouldn’t believe or you get what I have in the pics in this thread.

There is a lot more to it - but this was the easiest way to put it.

Anyway- since I got into this hobby, my hands are constantly in my tank and based on what I said above, you can just imagine what has happened to my hands since they are constantly in saltwater that dries them out.

Everyone says, get gloves....but I can’t stand not being able to "feel" what I am doing in the tank.
I will not get gloves....and yes my skin is paying for it but I have to figure there are other solutions....

Just wondering what everyone else in this similar predicament has done???

PS - These are my hands on a good day - ugh

[RaysReef]

Wow "Man Hands"

I would try to get those powder free latex gloves if that helps. You can also use rubber bands to wrap around your wrist so water doesn't get in. This was you can still feel around since the glove is very thin compared to those dishwashing gloves.

[cj_doede]

thats grody

[dustybaker]

I used to have it real bad when I was younger. I don't know if you can get it up here, but there is this stuff called Bag Balm, it is actually for chapped cow udders, but I used to put it on my hands overnight and where laytex gloves to keep from getting it in the bed. It works miracles!

[wkjames]

Bag balm works amazingly, but would not be reef friendly. Available at walgreens, fleet farm and elsewhere.

FWIW, I think the glove idea with rubber bands would be a winner Angie.

[fishyfriend]

Sorry that is happening :(

[acharpenter]

Eh - I sleep with the gloves on every once in awhile but it just drives me nuts

I think I may try the latex form fitting gloves with rubberbands around my wrists - that sound the best - the latex wont cause any issue in the tank will it????

and yes Ray - I have "man hands" not like I am proud of it....UGH

[irish02bk]

Put duck tape on it when you sleep and then keep it on as long as you can a few days sometiems a week depending on the cracks/dryness, i know it may seem weird but it works!

[acharpenter]

Not weird at all for those of us who have been there. I just cant stand leaving them on other than when I sleep - know what I mean?

[bemi0701]

I'm a big fan of nitrile gloves myself. My hands aren't quite that bad yet but they are cracking. Pretty sure touching the nem didn't help either (He was moving way to close to my brain coral!). Good luck with it Angie, I've just always tried to take as good of care of them at night as possible so they're ready to get beaten up the next day. Just one more hint though, don't use all the alcohol based hand sanitizers out there, they'll dehydrate your hands. (and drink plenty of water always). Good luck

[acharpenter]

Originally Posted by bemi0701

I'm a big fan of nitrile gloves myself. My hands aren't quite that bad yet but they are cracking. Pretty sure touching the nem didn't help either (He was moving way to close to my brain coral!). Good luck with it Angie, I've just always tried to take as good of care of them at night as possible so they're ready to get beaten up the next day. Just one more hint though, don't use all the alcohol based hand sanitizers out there, they'll dehydrate your hands. (and drink plenty of water always). Good luck

Dude - hook me up with some good gloves. I do not use any moisturizers that contain fragrances or alcohol - I steer towards oatmeal based lotion and I use Fluticasone 0.005%

[RaysReef]

just make sure your using the powder free gloves

[rihanssu]

You may not like gloves but have you ever seen what the infections from saltwater tanks do? the bacteria that is in our tanks is not ment to get into our blood. check into online...... you'll wear gloves after seeing that. the one that comes to mind was a dude picked up a zoa and he had a cut on his hand and it ballooned to the size of a basketball!

[bemi0701]

Angie you may want to look into investing in a paraffin wax hand bath too, a friend of mine who is a massage therapist swears by them and though I've only had this done twice, I swear by it.

[SvRider]

I didnt not it bother you tonight. She is floating btw. I am sorry about your hands. That really sucks.

[acharpenter]

Originally Posted by SvRider

I didnt not it bother you tonight. She is floating btw. I am sorry about your hands. That really sucks.

Awwwwwwww- it always bothers me Jay, just becuase I stick my hand in the tank - does not mean it doesnt hurt dude!

..............how is she, I am so excited?????

[SvRider]

I just didn't notice but either way I'm sorry. I am so blessed that it doesnt even effect my hands no matter how long they are in my tank.

She is anxious to get out of the bag. It was so awesome to meet you. Could have stayed all night!

[acharpenter]

Happy, happy, joy, joy dude! Glad ya hanged to chat!!

Come on over anytime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want pics of Mandy and her new BF!!!!

[Matt D.]

I have psoriasis on my scalp, guess I'm lucky I don't have to stick my head in the tank.

[Nanofins]

Dang Angie! That looks painful! I feel bad for you.

Thank God my hands don't seem to mind the saltwater; I've got them in there half the day most days, heh. I've heard other people swear by that bag balm stuff too. Supposed to be really good for healing up cracked/dry skin. I imagine you'd want to wash it off before going into the tank, but it could help. And dude, if it's damaging your skin that bad, use the gloves! Powder free latex or nitrile will allow you to have a decent amount of tactile sensitivity. Good luck!