Hi guys,
I have been suffering what I believe to be contact dermatitis for about 10 months now and after relentlessly applyingezcema creams and making up aromatherapy blendstoo, nothing seems to be helping. Its localised to my left hand middle and fourth finger and my littlefinger on my right hand only -and is driving me nuts! I don't know exactly whatit is that I am having a reaction to but it is especiallybad after a days work massaging which leads me to believe it is the base oil, although I am well aware it could just about be anything!I have switched from Sweet Almond to Grape Seed oil and have also stopped using essential oils for about 6 months now,which temporarily helped but its back with a vengence!
I am sick to death of scratching my skin red raw, sometimes it wakes me up at 3am its so bad. I have an appointment with a dermatologist at the hospital but its not until late December.
Has anyone else suffered with this or is there any such thing as a barrier cream you can recommend thatI can apply before massaging to protect my hands from the oil?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Helen
RE: Massage Barrier Cream?
It could be whatever you are using to wash your hands with in between treatments. Soaps have many artificial ingredients and can be very drying.
Lesley
RE: Massage Barrier Cream?
Thanks Lesley,
I have considered the soap issue as obviuosly I am washing hands before/after each client. That alone can total up to approx 10 times in a day.
I was previously using that industrial pink soap which is in the treatment room I am hiring, but now take in my own fragrance free soap.
The other thing that has occurred to me is that I do hot stone therapy and I am wondering if the heat is agitating the skin.
People have suggested massaging with gloves on but I will have to do some research on that one!
Helen
RE: Massage Barrier Cream?
It could be the sulfur in the handwashing soap. "TTO" makes sulfur free variant. Also bodyshop have cream called 'Almond oil Hand rescue treatment' which does wonders if your hands are too "de-fated". Have look at the cuticles do the look alright or broken?, if not it be a sulfur issue.
RE: Massage Barrier Cream?
I wonder if it is to do with tight muscles or tendons squeezing your blood vessels and this affecting your skin? Maybe you can do less with your hands and more with your arms?
RE: Massage Barrier Cream?
Hi,
As the previous post says - use your arms more - you could go on a no hands massage course - this has saved many massage therapists hands in the past - My forearms and elbows are very useful and save my hands no end.
I also am quite fussy now about the carrier oils and essential oils I use - I try to go for organic in preference.
At times I have had to wear gloves if I've had cuts or abrasions on my hands and strangely enough clients have not been averse to it - some not even noticing any difference.
Luv & Light
Binah
xx