My hands are killing me - make the burning stop

[TrogL]

I'm in the middle of house renovations and I've got drywall dust imbedded in my hands.

I've spent the last hour in the washroom washing them. People here at the office are starting to wonder what's going on.

I've also tried moisturizer cream but it's just making matters worse and I'm reacting to the smell.

Now what?

:shrug:

[electron_blue]

1. Are you having an allergic reaction to it?

[TrogL]

2. No, they're not swelling up, turning red or anything like that

They're just gritty and moving them feels like electric shocks on my skin.

[electron_blue]

8. That's enough of a red flag to me - go get a doc's opinion.

What you describe reminds me of the awful allergic reaction I went through last year to a particular drug I was on. Esp the burning and 'shocks'. I really think you should check it out at a clinic. You might be missing other clues, and it might not be due to construction, but maybe a drug, food, cream, or something else in your environment. Ftr, allergic reactions don't always have swelling up as a primary symptom. It's complicated.

[KitchenWitch]

3. I know, too late now, but you might want to purchase some vinyl exam gloves

and wear them when you are working with the mud and the dust.

[TrogL]

4. I was wearing big heavy rubber construction gloves

but I guess some of the dust got in around them.

[TrogL]

5. I'm starting to wonder if I AM allergic to something

My hands are turning red and I've been running a fever every day I've been involved in the construction (and the day after).

[KitchenWitch]

7. I would go see a doctor if I were you

If nothing else, just to rule out the allergy. Are you wearing a mask when you are sanding?

[skygazer]

9. None of that sounds right

Especially if you were wearing gloves. I would definitely see a doctor.

[siligut]

13. If it is an allergy, try benadryl.

If you have some Benadryl, take a tab. Your first aid kit at work probably has a few doses. If it works, see how you progress, then decide if you need to see the doc.

If the rubber gloves you wore were latex, I have seen some pretty red scaley hands after just a few hours with a latex allergy.

I agree, the vinyl or nitrile gloves are pretty safe.

[qb]

6. Maybe an exfoliating sponge (like a loofah) will help clean your pores...

Then try Vaseline or Eucerine cream (not lotion) and cotton gloves at bedtime.

[Schema Thing]

10. I thought this was going to be an LOLZ of G. Gordon Liddy

[Sabriel]

11. Here's some info on what it might be. Got Adobe?

http://www.bpb-na.com/canada/english/finishing_products/downloads/Preventable_Dermatitis.pdf

[TrogL]

14. Bullseye - it's acute contact dermitis with the drywall dust

[Tyler Durden]

12. I think it's the GLOVES.

Drywall dust is gypsum and silica, as in sand. I think you're allergic to the gloves.

[TrogL]

15. If I was allergic to the gloves, I'd be allergic to all latex compounds

Like condoms.

I'd probably notice.

[Tyler Durden]

23. Heavy duty gloves are not usually made with latex.

[TrogL]

16. My hands feel just like two balloons

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pink+floyd/comfortably+numb_20108779.html

My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I cant explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

[otherlander]

17. Get ye to a doctor!

Here's a vibe fairy for yr hands:

~.,-* o(^_^o)

[grannylib]

18. Grab an ice pack out of your first aid station; that should help...

the alcohol in most lotions will just make the burning worse.

[Elidor]

19. Yes, listen to granny. She's right

Ice pack. Wrap both hands around it for about 10-15 minutes. So soooooooothing. I'm well aquainted with burning hands.

[grannylib]

21. Me too; chronic hives on my palms make ice packs a great necessity!

They're so handy for all kinds of bumps, bruises, aches and pains.

[Elidor]

22. That is the worst

Burning, itching hands. Ugh. It's enough to threaten one's sanity after a few days.

I try to remember my MSM cream for general aches and pains. My parents turned me onto it, and it's also nice and soothing.

[LaurenG]

20. Make a paste of baking soda and water and let it dry

or soak your hands in a pan of water with a 1/4 cup baking soda.

I hope it stops soon. :(