By: Laura Hunnewell
They first appeared as itchy red patches on my hands and in between my fingers. Working as an esthetician at a busy spa, I often experience dry skin from frequent hand washing and irritation from application of oils, cleansers and serums.
A skin crack followed by swelling and flaking lead me to the dermatologist’s office. My primary concern was to not put my clients or myself at risk of infection.
After a culture, I was started on an immediate antibiotic to guard from infection followed by a mild steroid ointment to soothe the irritation and bring down swelling. She also recommended that I use a mild soap for cleansing such as unscented Dove bar soap or Cerave Hydrating Cleanser (instead of the botanical hand washes we use in the spa) followed by a light application of Cerave Moisturizing Cream. Additionally, I was prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide ointment 0.1%.
Identifying the source of the irritation would be a tricky one, as I work with a number of different products and required patch testing for skin allergies. Dr. Basko suggested I make an appointment with Dr. Andrew Scheman, a board certified dermatologist with special expertise in patch testing for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis.
Before
After
After 8 days off work and following this strict regime, my hands returned to their normal state and I even rewarded myself with a pretty manicure. During treatments I wear gloves to prevent further irritation and am sure to use fragrance free hand washes and lotions. I also discovered some relief with a light application of SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm (an occlusive ointment) which not only acts a protective barrier but provides some relief and allows the skin to heal and retain moisture.
