Tap Water Dermatitis

maguirpi

Hi everyone,

For 3-4 years now I have had very bad reactions on my hands and fingers. I tried lots of things (steroid creams, moisturisers etc.) in consultation with my doctor. A friend also has the same problems, we are science students together.

As part of our course we both lived in the UK for a semester (London and Liverpool) and found that the problem went away. I've also found that trips to Spain, the US and France have led to the problem clearing up temporarily. We both independently came to the conclusion that Irish tap water causes it (with hesistance).

I'd like to get in touch here with people who have experienced the same. Washing my hands is something I have to do frequently as a scientist and it has become very painful and debilitating. While creams can help, I need to isolate the irritant. Any help or sharing of similar stories will be appreciated, thanks for reading.

Hersheys

maguirpi wrote: »

Hi everyone,

For 3-4 years now I have had very bad reactions on my hands and fingers. I tried lots of things (steroid creams, moisturisers etc.) in consultation with my doctor. A friend also has the same problems, we are science students together.

As part of our course we both lived in the UK for a semester (London and Liverpool) and found that the problem went away. I've also found that trips to Spain, the US and France have led to the problem clearing up temporarily. We both independently came to the conclusion that Irish tap water causes it (with hesistance).

I'd like to get in touch here with people who have experienced the same. Washing my hands is something I have to do frequently as a scientist and it has become very painful and debilitating. While creams can help, I need to isolate the irritant. Any help or sharing of similar stories will be appreciated, thanks for reading.

Could it be the gloves you are using in the lab?

Alun

I wouldn't be so quick to blame the water. One thing that I suffer from, for example, is skin irritation from long term use of some kinds of commercial liquid soaps, i.e. the ones you find in public toilets. The stuff I buy for home doesn't seem to have any effect though. They bring me out in a rash and what's worse tiny little blisters. Might be worth taking in your own soap for a while and seeing if that clears things up.

Hersheys

Alun wrote: »

I wouldn't be so quick to blame the water. One thing that I suffer from, for example, is skin irritation from long term use of some kinds of commercial liquid soaps, i.e. the ones you find in public toilets. The stuff I buy for home doesn't seem to have any effect though. They bring me out in a rash and what's worse tiny little blisters. Might be worth taking in your own soap for a while and seeing if that clears things up.

Or, as much as I hesitate to admit it but we all do it , using lipsol/virkon/tuff-scrub/fairy liquid to wash your hands if there's no handsoap at the lab sink; or not wearing gloves washing glassware when your hands would come into contact with the soaps.

I ended up with horrendous rashes on my hands from nitrile gloves and have to get my lab to stock special gloves for me. Might be worth looking at other things, not just water, that your hands come into contact with. If it was the water chances are it should affect the rest of your skin from showers and the likes.

Pretzill

Having an alergy to the gloves or deterrgent is more of a possibility - were you washing your hands as often whilst abroad? Are you working on the east coast - softer water than the hard limey water in the west. Sometimes overwashing can dry out the skin but latex allergies can be common. Of course your a scientist no harm in getting water supply tested

Pumpkinseeds

I get the same problem washing my hands, usually it's worse in the Summer. I'm allergic to latex so I avoid that. I've tried betnovate which helps but thins the skin. I tried changing hand washes several times, thinking that it might be that causing it but it wasn't. So now I alternate Moo Goo products along with the steroid creams to give my skin a break from the prescription stuff. Have a look at the website and see if there's anything to suit you there.