Our skin is very a important organ. Its our first protection against microbes and it does a lot more. It needs to be look after very well. Some of us have sensitive skins and things we handle can affect it. Chemicals and metals are a few that can irritate or can cause untoward reactions leading to skin damage. Even the latex in the gloves can cause this. Also worth mentioning medical skin disorders and autoimmune skin disease. I'm a medical doctor by profession though my specialty is in Geriatrics Medicine I regularly encounter this on my ward rounds. Relevant to our discussions here are the environmental or work related factor that can cause skin irritation and damage. As mentioned, chemicals we handle and metals are a few of the culprit. The general term my dermatology colleagues used is contact dermatitis (with a wide range of causative agents including metals).
The only effective treatment is to avoid the irritants but then again this is near impossible in this hobby. I do resin casting in my sculpture and guess what, it caused so much skin irritations. I have to apply emollients then latex free gloves then wash thoroughly with soap and more water then re apply emollients again.
The important thing is to understand what we are handling especially chemicals and apply precautions. We don't do skin allergy with metals routinely in the NHS but if its work/livelihood related then this needs discussion with your GP. How I wish that treating illnesses is easy but the reality is this is very individualistic and a good deal of understanding is needed including contact dermatitis related to work and environment. Water would be the most neutral way of rinsing things, soap can dry your skin easily and will need re-moisturizing again however soap can emulsify oily substance easily. Remember that our skin reacts to a lot of materials, even to medications applied to it such as topical steroids. I can advice on steroids but I don't think its appropriate here. This is just an advice from my side having a medical background. Enjoy and stay safe!
Raph
Edited By RAPHAEL VAL GOLEZ 1 on 01/06/2018 23:22:25
Edited By RAPHAEL VAL GOLEZ 1 on 01/06/2018 23:23:08