Allergic to weights!! HELP!

[kriddell]

Hello! I have a random question and I am wondering if anyone else has experience something similar.

I have an allergy to metals - I get eczema, and since Ive started lifting in the last 6 months, the palms of my hands are covered in eczema. Little itchy scaly bumps filled with clear fluid - I know, sounds gross! Its most likely from bars, free weights etc.
Ive tried gloves but I find them uncomfortable with the seams pressing in and they move a bit during exercises which can throw off my form.

Any suggestions? Is there a tape I could use, or better gloves, or anything?
HELP!!

[AttyGuy]

Let me be the first to suggest duct tape. . . . .

Seriously, have you tried urethane or rubber plates? What about using machines, instead of a barbell and plates, or a dumbbell? Have you talked to a medical professional?

[2MoreRepz]

The the wrap used for tennis racket handles on your dumbbell handles and barbells.

[Detrus]

Maybe Versa Gripps or http://www.roguefitness.com/harbinger-lifting-grips

These can be used in place of gloves without providing grip assistance, or wrapped under the bar to provide grip assistance like straps.

Or http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-v2-gymnastic-grips can't be used as straps but sit on the hand better because of finger holes

If you're using your own weights, use a tape. There are cloth like medical tapes, gauss or gauze, can't remember. Or tennis handle wrap.

[Bench905]

I would just use athletic tape.

[ICEcap2]

I had Eczema all over my body at times. The doc tried all kinds of creams, shots of steroids and finally I was given UVB light treatments that help. I did some thinking that UVB makes Vit D and started talking 5000U per day if when I don't get sun exposure. I haven't needed the light treatments for years now.

Vit D may help in the long term, but it could takes weeks to find out. Do you get much sun exposure.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitam...-with-eczema/#

[mck1212]

Nickel is the metal that most people that have a reaction seem to be sensitive to. It's most likely not the plates but the bar that you are reacting to. If you can't wear gloves try grip pads - they're cheap, I think you can buy them here. If it's your equipment, and not a gyms, then try wrapping the bar as others have suggested.

[BAVE]

Hello! I have a random question and I am wondering if anyone else has experience something similar.

I have an allergy to metals - I get eczema, and since Ive started lifting in the last 6 months, the palms of my hands are covered in eczema. Little itchy scaly bumps filled with clear fluid - I know, sounds gross! Its most likely from bars, free weights etc.
Ive tried gloves but I find them uncomfortable with the seams pressing in and they move a bit during exercises which can throw off my form.

Any suggestions? Is there a tape I could use, or better gloves, or anything?
HELP!!

I would at least try another form of glove like a thin material full fingered non-weightlifting glove without seams.

[kriddell]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have seen a doctor and yes, it is most likely the Nickel Im reacting too, but I just get the same steroid creams and the advice of "not to do it, or use those weights". Steroid creams are just a temporary solution really and they arent that good for you.

The weights are from a gym, so unfortunately they arent personal. I will definitely look into the vitamin D idea! Thank you! I live in a very sunny place, but I am extremely fair skinned so when I am outside I do seek shady areas.

I will look into all the suggestions above! Thanks again!

[Synthetickiller]

Nickel is the metal that most people that have a reaction seem to be sensitive to. It's most likely not the plates but the bar that you are reacting to. If you can't wear gloves try grip pads - they're cheap, I think you can buy them here. If it's your equipment, and not a gyms, then try wrapping the bar as others have suggested.

Bingo!

Did the OP says he lifts at home or at a gym?

If the OP lits at home, maybe buying a SS bar or black oxide bar (if it applies) is an option?

[Domicron]

grip plates with medical tape wrapped around the grips, same with the bar. or maybe put down for a stainless steel bar?

[trimble006]

If weight lifting gloves are too padded in the palm and feel uncomfortable for that reason, you could try baseball batting gloves...

[Giorenz12]

Hey your not alone same thing happened to me a few weeks ago after joining another gym. This might sound strange but I used an ezcema cream from an apothecary store and also drank some kombucha and that seemed to do the trick. Mine was pretty nasty also got on my toes but they are dried up and pretty much gone. I would be careful cause i just got an eye infection from the gym apparently rubbed my eye, looks like the metals are not too hygenic but will definitelt look into some type of glove.

[SumuhmuhBish]

Could be a dust mite allergy. I have it and it's supposedly kinda rare - my docs could never find what caused it I just happened to bump into it on Wiki. I knew that every time I'd dig in a computer for repairs I'd break out in hundreds of tiny blisters.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis

I first had my break out at a gym where I was working and thought it was from the chemicals. 20yrs later I found out it's dust mites. First stage is itching and sometimes a bit of pain on the bigger blister clusters, but the good pain comes after they burst. I've gotten used to it but still hate them. The only thing that helps the healing is a steroid cream for me. The docs at least knew what could heal it back then.

[jfrench4u]

I have the same allergy to Nickle and have had eczema on my palms for the last 5 years. I use batting gloves at gym even tho I feel like a dork.

For my eczema I've tried every medication and steroid cream. The ONLY thing that's given me relief is acupuncture. I've done it only once about 5 months ago, and my hands are about 80% better....I'll take that.

You definitely want to cover your hands at the gym. There are many germs at gym especially Staph and with your eczema you will be more prone to infection. I also wash them after the gym with hibicleanse. You can get it at drug store. It's antimicrobial wash. Good luck!

[AttyGuy]

I remember this thread fondly. The ghouls who resurrected it should be banished.

[rlundregan]

I remember this thread fondly. The ghouls who resurrected it should be banished.

Let me be the first to suggest duct tape.....

[CliveWarren]

For my eczema I've tried every medication and steroid cream. The ONLY thing that's given me relief is acupuncture. I've done it only once about 5 months ago, and my hands are about 80% better....I'll take that.

I hate to break it to you, but acupuncture only works on imaginary problems. For real issues, you'll need actual medicine.

[Domicron]

I have the same allergy to Nickle and have had eczema on my palms for the last 5 years. I use batting gloves at gym even tho I feel like a dork.

For my eczema I've tried every medication and steroid cream. The ONLY thing that's given me relief is acupuncture. I've done it only once about 5 months ago, and my hands are about 80% better....I'll take that.

You definitely want to cover your hands at the gym. There are many germs at gym especially Staph and with your eczema you will be more prone to infection. I also wash them after the gym with hibicleanse. You can get it at drug store. It's antimicrobial wash. Good luck!

acupuncture and 5 months healing...one of them helped your eczema go away and the other didn't: pick one.

[AttyGuy]

Let me be the first to suggest duct tape.....

That's the answer for so many of life's problems.

[rlundregan]

That's the answer for so many of life's problems.

Indeed--and especially useful for this particular problem!