Dermatitis on my hands-need a new job in the industry

[lilmissjessjess]

I started my nvq2 in sept 2010- did my general/spa nvq 3 and makeup level 3 from sept 2011- Qualified may 2011- been working in spa's ever since.

So a year and a half our in industry but if you count nvq 3 as a year too, its 2 and half years in the industry working as a spa therapist.

Unfortunalty ever since my second year of beauty therapy course from sept 2011 - i have a rash appear on one finger of one of my hands only to spread to my other hand. since working out in the industry it has now spread over my palm area of my hands aswell inbetween a few of fingers and over 3/4 fingers, and now into and all around my elbow crease of one of my arms.

It was exzema/dermatitus worst nightmare! even though i now work in a spa that is very green and use Ren,Voya and mama mio who all do not use un-natural or nasty chemicals in their products i still have dermatitus and nothing seems to help except steriods which is thinning my skin and long term will not last.

I am now thinking even though i enjoy my job (lots of massage -facials not to everyones taste) of leaving the therapy side of beauty and exploring a different avenue?

Has anyone had or know anyone else with this - and have they left the industry completely or did they find something else to do?
I have on my agenda of possibliltes, - beauty blogger - sales rep -

any suggestions would be great

 

[Tomme]

I started my nvq2 in sept 2010- did my general/spa nvq 3 and makeup level 3 from sept 2011- Qualified may 2011- been working in spa's ever since.

So a year and a half our in industry but if you count nvq 3 as a year too, its 2 and half years in the industry working as a spa therapist.

Unfortunalty ever since my second year of beauty therapy course from sept 2011 - i have a rash appear on one finger of one of my hands only to spread to my other hand. since working out in the industry it has now spread over my palm area of my hands aswell inbetween a few of fingers and over 3/4 fingers, and now into and all around my elbow crease of one of my arms.

It was exzema/dermatitus worst nightmare! even though i now work in a spa that is very green and use Ren,Voya and mama mio who all do not use un-natural or nasty chemicals in their products i still have dermatitus and nothing seems to help except steriods which is thinning my skin and long term will not last.

I am now thinking even though i enjoy my job (lots of massage -facials not to everyones taste) of leaving the therapy side of beauty and exploring a different avenue?

Has anyone had or know anyone else with this - and have they left the industry completely or did they find something else to do?
I have on my agenda of possibliltes, - beauty blogger - sales rep -

any suggestions would be great

I'm a hairdresser who gets dermatitis really bad in the winter (and quite a lot this year because of the weather). Iv taken offs rings and always dry my hands thoroughly after being in water. When the dermatitis is bad I can't get gloves on so it turns into a vicious circle and stings with chemicals. The best thing I have found to work is barrier cream (iv used different brands and they all help) you can get from the hair section of the warehouse, put a coating on your hands, wipe most off ad spread the rest evenly over your hands and up the wrist a bit.
Makes a huge difference to me and has helped me stick with my passion.

Oh and when washing it off, after washing hands and drying thoroughly put some talcum powder on them.
Hope you can continue doing what you love using the above xoxo

 

[Littletigerlily]

I started my nvq2 in sept 2010- did my general/spa nvq 3 and makeup level 3 from sept 2011- Qualified may 2011- been working in spa's ever since.

So a year and a half our in industry but if you count nvq 3 as a year too, its 2 and half years in the industry working as a spa therapist.

Unfortunalty ever since my second year of beauty therapy course from sept 2011 - i have a rash appear on one finger of one of my hands only to spread to my other hand. since working out in the industry it has now spread over my palm area of my hands aswell inbetween a few of fingers and over 3/4 fingers, and now into and all around my elbow crease of one of my arms.

It was exzema/dermatitus worst nightmare! even though i now work in a spa that is very green and use Ren,Voya and mama mio who all do not use un-natural or nasty chemicals in their products i still have dermatitus and nothing seems to help except steriods which is thinning my skin and long term will not last.

I am now thinking even though i enjoy my job (lots of massage -facials not to everyones taste) of leaving the therapy side of beauty and exploring a different avenue?

Has anyone had or know anyone else with this - and have they left the industry completely or did they find something else to do?
I have on my agenda of possibliltes, - beauty blogger - sales rep -

any suggestions would be great

I've suffered from dermatitis since before I even started hairdressing, I used to get a ring of it around my neck and still have it quite bad behind my knees.
I only get patches on my hands now and again, I guess maybe they have toughened up over the years. Completely agree with Tomme about making sure your hands are dried properly.
Most moisturises/hand creams will irritate it rather than help, savlon or E45 would feel like fire when I put it on the affected area. I only use my steroid cream out of sheer desperation when I have a bad break out, your completely right about it thinning the skin so be very sparse.
Weather, stress, anxiety and diet provoke mine, I try to lower my salt intake, use emulsifying cream and while working I put johnsons baby powder in my gloves and keep a little of the emulsifying cream in my handbag. Also in winter I wear thermal gloves so that the cold air can't "nip" my hands.
If it continues to get worse it may be worth discussing using light treatment with your doctor. I've never bothered with this personally, instead I use a sunbed for 3 mins when it's flared up and that works for me. I am in no way suggesting or advising that you use a sunbed yourself.
Hopefully your skin will build up a resistance to it and you can continue enjoying what you do xx

 

[Violet-Rose]

I feel for you, I have the exact same thing and it's horrible. My hands are fine in the summer months but the minute the weather starts getting chilly (From October through to March normally) I get terrible dermatitis. I think it's a combination of the cold weather and the fact I have to constantly wash my hands. Also possibly a combination of various products etc. I have previously been to my g.p and tried betnovate(?) which clears it up temporarily but it always comes back. It starts on my fingers and goes all over my hands and up to my elbows. It really is miserable, it's so sore and I constantly scratch it. I too am wondering what to do with my career as it's honestly becoming unbearable

 

[lilmissjessjess]

I want to stay in the beauty industry but not sure what really is out there..
i have thought sales rep, but what else could i try and go for.

any help, suggestions would be a great help!

 

[Violet-Rose]

I guess you could go for a sales rep position. I was going to suggest a spa manager so there would be more paper work & less treatments, but if you've not got that much experience, that might not be an option right now.
How about specialising in one area such as make up? Or you could work at a salon suppliers for a while til you figure something out? Personally, working with massage oils (especially when doing hot stones) always makes my dermatitis much worse so perhaps try avoiding those treatments for a while.

 

[snyggiss]

have same problem as you and only thing that ever helped and cured my hands has been a true lifesaver = Udderly Smmoth hand cream that you can buy online. Someone on salongeek recommended it and its like nothing else, try it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!