Days spent changing nappies/diapers, constant washing and applying anti-bacterial gels, hopsital stays, the friction of daily lifting and the endless use of baby wipes soon take its toll, leaving hands dry, chapped and very, very sore.
The pain of dry, cracked hands can have a big impact on the challenges and daily routine of caring for a child or children with special needs.
Hands are exposed to the elements as much as the face, they are one of the first places to show aging this shows just how important it is to protect them.
We asked some special needs mums what their favourite hand creams were.
This is what they came up with:
Bodyshop Hemp Hand Protector
‘My hands were always sore and dry but not anymore. I always find the winter months particularly bad and would often have hacks but one application of Hemp Hand Protector before I go to bed is enough to restore the moisture and repair the hack. I’ve tried many hand creams in the past and this is by far the best. Truly an amazing product.’
Claire Smyth
Crabtree & Evelyn Verbana & Lavender
‘This is my favourite hand cream. I absolutely love the smell, it dries really quickly and leaves my hands silky smooth with no horrible residue. I got it given to me as a gift so I don’t know how I’ll feel about buying it for myself as it is much more expensive than previous ones I would’ve used. But it repairs any damaged or dry areas almost immediately. My mum also uses it so it reminds me of her.’
Laura Rutherford
Nivea Smooth and Nourishing Hand Cream
‘I love this hand cream. It leaves my hands soft but it’s also great for Ethan’s hands as his little hands curl. This cream, I’ve found, dries quicker and keeps his skin soft rather than other creams which take ages to dry, meaning his hands curl in again with wet cream on, Nivea doesn’t do this! It also gets bonus points for being cheap.’
Ger Renton
Soap & Glory Hand Food
‘This is definitely the best hand cream out there. I put it on before I go to bed and when I wake up in the morning the dryness and sores have repaired leaving my hands feeling smooth and ready to tackle the day ahead. It smells fantastic too.’
Sarah Brisdion
Bio Oil
‘OK so not technically a hand cream, but I started to use Bio Oil on my hands a few months ago and already notice a big difference in my hands. I add in a bit of aqueous cream to make it last longer.’
Maura McCrystal
Aveeno Hand Cream
‘I have two kids in nappies so good hand cream is a must for me and I swear by this one. It leaves my hands repaired and nourished after each use.’
Vaila Morrison