Compost

[clareg]

Hi,

Does anyone know what is in compost (shop bought) that could cause the skin on my hands to peel off?

Doesn't happen with soil so much, but if I handle compost without gloves it makes a real mess of my hands (palms to be precise). It's not nice and I have to avoid shaking hands with people!

Wearing gloves if fine, but sometimes you need to "feel" the soil/compost to get planting right, if you know what I mean (or does that sound weird??).


Clareg

[veg4681]

Sorry to hear you have allergic reaction to shop bought compost. I'm afraid I don't know the answer (hopefully someone will come along shortly) but have a little solution, if it's any use to you.

At one time I was doing so much gardening, the skin on my hands suffered so I used rubber gloves that are used in the hospital, you can buy the hobby stuff quality too that you will be able to buy in a box. Unlike the garden gloves and washing up gloves, they're much thinner and the feel of compost in your hand is pretty close.

[Dobby]

I have heard that the organic one Tesco sells it say you must wear gloves
makes me wonder what cemicals are in it

[Sue]

Clareg
Don't know what it can be, some of the nutrients added to the basic mix, does your own compost do the same?
I do find that getting my hands covered in my clay soil drys them out terribly so I do wear latex gloves (from Lakeland) also helpful when it's really muddy.
It's an expensive and wasteful option but gardening gloves are too thick as you say you feel the need to be in contact with what you're doing.
best wishes
Sue

[clareg]

Hi Sue, Dobby and Veg4681, thanks for all your advice, rubber or latex gloves sound like the right way to go, last handled compost on Sunday, its now Thurs and my hands are still peeling. I'm going through my moisturiser quick!

Home-made compost doesn't seem to have the same reaction, there must be something in there that is reacting. It's was bad enough that nearly every plant (especially pumpkin and courgette) I touch causes some sort of rash now its compost too!!! I must just be soo delicate, I bruise easily too!

Ah well, its still not going to stop me from growing my own veg!

Thanks for all your advice,

Clareg

[Flummery]

I wonder if it conatains any lime? You must be very sensitive - like the Princess and the Pea. (Can you pee through 20 matressess? Don't answer that! )

[Madasafish]

I suffered from that. Neutrogena hand moisturiser - in a tube - is wonderful. I can recommned it throughly.

In the end, I took a course of pills (prescription) over 6 months to clear toe fungal infections. After that my hands did not crack. So I assume it was a fungal infection?

[lainey lou]

Is there any itchiness at all? Might be worth a visit to the GP.

[clareg]

Hi,

No itchiness, just dry peeling skin. I wondered about lime in compost myself. It's happened before and I am sure it will clear up eventually.

I've been told before I should be wrapped in bubblewrap before I leave the house!! I've already walked into a desk at work this week!

Clumsy Clareg

[NOG]

Buy some barrier cream from a motor spares shop

http://shop.comdir.co.uk/Products.as...rWebTemplate=T

or use a somthing like

http://www.firstaidwarehouse.co.uk/x...ier+cream+50gs