The “Goldilocks” Lotion
If you’ve been reading my articles for a while you know that I usually like to regale you with tales of my skincare experimentation, or anecdotes from my life relating to eczema. This article, however, is a little bit different. This is more of a plea for advice rather than a story from my own life.
What problem am I facing this season?
You see, I’ve found myself in a bit of a predicament lately with one of my common seasonal eczema flare-ups. I’m speaking specifically about the eczema that I have on my hands. The problem isn’t that it is happening in the first place. This flare-up is seasonal and recurrent: it comes with the cold weather and usually leaves when spring starts. The problem I’m having this year is that I can’t find a single product that fits my needs. Honestly, I’m feeling unbelievably frustrated about it. I guess I am looking for my “Goldilocks” lotion. Not too oily, not too quick to dry - but just right!
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View all responsesWhy aren't my tried and true products working?
Of course, as you might’ve guessed, my tried and true products are not working. My usual go-to for really bad flare-ups, no matter where they’re located, is my Uriage Soothing Oil Anti Itch Balm. While it is working to relieve the itching and dryness on my hands, it is causing another problem that I was hoping reaching out to this community might help me solve. It’s making my hands way too greasy to do anything for a very long time, and by the time it dries, it is time to reapply it again.
How does crocheting help?
You may be thinking to yourself, “What exactly is the problem with that, Emma?”
Well, the problem is that I crochet. It started as a practice to have something to do with my hands, and it has ended up, saving my mental health and teaching me some skills along the way. I’m getting quite good at it too! However, the one thing that makes it very hard to crochet is when my hands are too greasy from lotions or too dry from eczema. Lately, I have been finding myself in this predicament more often than not.
How is my eczema getting in the way?
It’s a task unto itself to attempt to grip a crochet hook when your hand is so freaking oily. When I can’t get a grip on my hook, I imagine it’s like watching someone grasp at a bar of slippery soap in a shower. As comical as that imagery may be, the even bigger problem is that it leaves grease stains on my clothing and yarn.
If I let my hands go dry so that I can crochet, I also risk blood on my yarn when they crack from being dry. Unfortunately, it is just as hard to grip a crochet hook with ultra-dry hands as it is with ultra-oily ones!
You may be wondering to yourself, “Well then why don’t you apply the lotion, let it dry and THEN crochet?” The answer to that is because apparently, that window is milliseconds in length. Of course, I’m being hyperbolic, but it is honestly quite frustrating! It feels like this is just another thing to add to the list of things that eczema has taken away from me.
Do you have any advice?
So, my dear community, I send my plea out to you! Please let me know what lotions you have found that could fit the bill of what I’m looking for! Do you have a lotion that seems to always work the right way when you need it? Tell me about your Goldilocks lotion in the comments!
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