Hands

Kimwhiz

Member
Hi everyone. My husband is 55. For the last couple of years he has had horrible rough, itchy, slitting open skin on his hands. They have gradually gotten worse. He has gone to two drs. They say it’s something his hands are reacting to, maybe from the past. He’s worked on airplanes his whole career so used lots of chemicals. They give him a steroid shot and it clears up. But he can’t take those very often. They have given him creams, laser therapy and he sleeps with vasoline on his hands with gloves on. He came home from work today almost in tears. His hands hurt so bad. They are cracked and the skin is so thick and cracked. Has any one else had this happen after working with chemicals for their whole working career? I feel terrible for him.
 

Do you think it would be helpful if they took a skin sample from him and did an analysis? Perhaps there is some chemical contained in the skin and they can make a determination and then to consider treatment options. I don’t know why but I just thought of this. I feel for your husband that’s so difficult. And I also feel for you too because I know it’s probably breaking your heart.
 
It seems like he should start with his PCP and then get a referral to a Dermatologist or an Allergist to figure out what is causing the problem.

If they can't fix it and he can't take another position within the company to protect his seniority I would talk to the PCP and an attorney about filing for early retirement/disability.

Good luck to both of you!
 

Do you think it would be helpful if they took a skin sample from him and did an analysis? Perhaps there is some chemical contained in the skin and they can make a determination and then to consider treatment options. I don’t know why but I just thought of this. I feel for your husband that’s so difficult. And I also feel for you too because I know it’s probably breaking your heart.
He’s so reluctant to go back except for the laser treatments but that’s a good idea. Although they did say something of the sort that it’s autoimmune.
 
It seems like he should start with his PCP and then get a referral to a Dermatologist or an Allergist to figure out what is causing the problem.

If they can't fix it and he can't take another position within the company to protect his seniority I would talk to the PCP and an attorney about filing for early retirement/disability.

Good luck to both of you!
He did go to his pcp for this referral. Maybe it’s time to see a third doc. 👍
 
just by the way ..
might this be a workers comp. claim?at least he could stop working ,,
He has bad days like today but not so bad days also. I think if I could talk him into seeing another dr maybe a autoimmune specialist we can get it figured out. Hopefully someone on this forum has seen this before and give some advise on where to go from here. Thanks. 😄
 
Goodness. This is terrible.
He could have an allergy to the chemicals he works with, seborrhoea dermatitis ? It could be the gloves he’s wearing at night making it worse.

Perhaps you could get tested for allergies and sensitivities. The soap at work? It could be anything.

Does he have a journal or log book to note any changes or observations for his own benefit and for informing any specialist he might see?

Perhaps he could ask the doctor for a note to stay off work. This could be a compensation case

There is no way I’d work at any place that caused my hands to get that damaged.

Good luck to you both.
 
Goodness. This is terrible.
He could have an allergy to the chemicals he works with, seborrhoea dermatitis ? It could be the gloves he’s wearing at night making it worse.

Perhaps you could get tested for allergies and sensitivities. The soap at work? It could be anything.

Does he have a journal or log book to note any changes or observations for his own benefit and for informing any specialist he might see?

Perhaps he could ask the doctor for a note to stay off work. This could be a compensation case

.
There is no way I’d work at any place that caused my hands to get this dahaged.
Hi. Journaling is a good idea. We aren’t sure it’s chemicals. It was just a thought the dr had. They are very careful with chemicals and wear protective gear. Maybe it’s the gear. Or the dr said it could have been when he was young and it stayed in his system. We are looking for answers right now.
 
Hi. Journaling is a good idea. We aren’t sure it’s chemicals. It was just a thought the dr had. They are very careful with chemicals and wear protective gear. Maybe it’s the gear. Or the dr said it could have been when he was young and it stayed in his system. We are looking for answers right now.
He could be allergic to the protective gloves he wears everyday at work. It gets worse after he works. I’d go for an elimination list. Check to see if he has an allergic reaction to the gloves he wears at work. I’d test every product he uses on his hands including the protective gloves he wears at night. I’d eliminate the obvious first.

It appears his doctor isn’t doing much.
Try to talk some logic to him and choose someone who really listens.
 

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