Hand Eczema & Contact Dermatitis: Stop the Crack-Itch Cycle (For Real)

The truth: it’s not just “dryness.”
It’s a broken barrier — the outer layer of your skin struggling to hold itself together.

Water, soap, and sanitiser strip away the lipids that keep your hands soft. Cold air takes the rest. The result? Micro-cracks that sting, itch, and never quite heal.

We keep calling it dryness. But what it really is, is damage.

Why Your Hands Won’t Heal

Everyday habits make recovery harder than it should be:

• Constant wet/dry swings cause swelling and shrinkage — tiny fissures open and close until they split.

• Detergents and fragrances disrupt pH and strip oils, even in “gentle” soaps.

• Gloves at work trap sweat and friction, softening the skin, then tearing it again.

Over time, the barrier breaks down completely. Skin stops holding water. It cracks faster, burns with soap, and itches until you scratch it raw.

What Actually Helps (External Care)

Let’s keep this simple — your hands don’t need 10 steps. They need a rhythm: clean, seal, protect.

1. Short, lukewarm washes. Skip hot water and foaming cleansers. Choose a low-suds, fragrance-free option.

2. Pat, don’t rub. Leave a whisper of dampness — that’s water you can lock in.

3. Seal immediately. Within 60 seconds, smooth on a thin layer of a plant-oil balm to trap moisture and cushion micro-cracks.

4. Night repair ritual. Before bed, coat hands in balm and pull on thin cotton gloves. Sleep does the rest.

5. Work shield. Before putting on rubber or nitrile gloves, rub a little balm over knuckles and palms. It reduces friction and prevents that hot, damp irritation loop.

Your 7-Day Hand Reset

Think of it as rehab for your skin barrier:

• AM: gentle cleanse → balm → cotton liners under work gloves.

• Midday: rinse with water only (skip soap if you can) → reapply balm.

• PM: cleanse → balm → cotton gloves for 30–60 minutes (or overnight).

• Swap list: trade fragrance, alcohol, harsh surfactants, and air dryers for simplicity.

Within a week, cracks start closing. Stinging fades. Skin starts remembering what comfort feels like.

Petroleum vs Plants

Petroleum seals — but it doesn’t heal. It’s like shrink-wrapping a drought.

Plant butters and oils — shea, jojoba, vitamin E — create a similar barrier but feed the skin at the same time. They restore the missing lipids your body recognises, softening rough patches while locking moisture in.

That’s the philosophy behind Nooks Super Balm™ — external care that actually helps the body do its job.

The Habit That Heals

Keep a tin by every sink, one in your bag, one by your bed.
Every wash is a chance to repair — not restart the cycle.

Put a tin by every sink. One habit, fewer cracks → Shop Nooks Universal Balm™.