Barrier film/cream for skin?

[Tiahaar]

I was looking into a skin protecting barrier film or cream for use at work to protect hand skin and got to wondering...is there a heavy duty version someone has tried on the playa? Something that would be durable to apply to the feet say to let you go with just sandals and help avoid playa-foot drying/cracking for those like me that despite the best care have to wear socks & shoes to keep the feet happy. I'd be in heaven if I could go in sandals all the time on the playa (or even barefoot!).

So far I've turned up stuff like they use for medical purposes like this barrier film: http://www.southwestmedical.com/Patient ... ier/1379p0

Something breathable to coat the skin, durable enough not to peal and impervious to playa, thinner than dunking your foot in latex...hmmm...anybody have hints?

[Toolmaker]

I've used the stuff in machine shop environments.. it keeps the coolant and oils from getting to the skin. I'm not sure how the stuff will work in a dry environ. Its worth lookin into if you are prone to cracking and want to go with sandals. Have you tried just 2-3 times a day cleanings and dips in vinegar than oiling? That seems to do the trick for alot of folks.


I pushed my skin and body a little on purpose this year to see what I could get away with. I found that since I'm a greasy italian that I can go without the lotions and whatnot for the mostpart. I guess the oils in the skin help me some. I didn't test my feet out since I HAD to keep boots on almost 24/7. My hands did get kinda fucked after 10 days in the dust and little to no lotion treatments. I was forced to use baby wipes in the nose a couple times, and I did have to use saline and balm once or twice daily to keep my nose and lips in order come day 3 or 4. I was also sleeping outside and spent as much time as possible exposed to the dust especially in whiteouts.

[Tiahaar]

Have you tried just 2-3 times a day cleanings and dips in vinegar than oiling?...I was also sleeping outside and spent as much time as possible exposed to the dust especially in whiteouts.

You are hardcore!! I'm just a tenderfoot...yeah I might do too much foot pampering : )

How about this stuff: http://www.tuffoot.com/ Anybody tried this? I wanna get some : )

[Lord Of Ruin]

I had been meaning to post on this subject.

This year was my first burn, so I followed all the advice on socks, changing, washing, etc. Towards the end of the week, I'd spend most of the morning simply wearing flip-flops and getting dusty feet.

I did peel a bit, but not until back in default. But while out there, I thought about using barrier cream. As other posters have mentioned, this is used when you work around dessicant or mildly toxic liquids like hydraulic fluid. I used it extensively in the air force. Drawback is it feels pretty heavy and filmy.

Now, after getting back from BM this year, I went on our family vacation to lake Powell. This year, a family friend was along for the trip and it turns out he's gotten into African drumming on a professional level over the last two years. I saw him using this stuff in the morning: http://www.liquidgloves.net/

Now, this stuff was invented by a doctor who is the wife of a drummer. Their hands crack because of the percussive nature of their hobby, but also because the skins on the drum heads leach out all the moisture in the hands. It then leads to painful cracking and bleeding. Hmmm...I thought...that sounds a LOT like playa foot!

So I used some of it. Now, this wasn't in BM...but the stuff sure works. It's sorta like wearing sun screen in feel. Very light, and it bonds with your skin, locking in moisture. Dirt sorta just melts off of it, either by brushing or a light trickle of water.

I'm definately going to give it a whirl next year. I'll still bring all my other prep and I'll monitor closely. My hope is that a nice baby wiping and this applied every morning will give me bullet proof feet!

LoR

[Burner till death]

I simply lotioned up my feet and kept them covered in socks. Hap no problems.

Yes - I am the dork wearing socks and sandals!

[Tiahaar]

I saw him using this stuff in the morning: http://www.liquidgloves.net/
My hope is that a nice baby wiping and this applied every morning will give me bullet proof feet!

Aha! Thank you for helping in the hunt for footsie protection, that stuff looks interesting too. That website says the USA product is called SkinWear and you can even get a free sample woowoo: http://www.skinwearusa.com/freeSample.aspx
I sent for some, bought some Tuf foot, will get some barrier film too and start experimenting. Yeah, my feet survived perfectly well bundled up inside socks and shoes/boots but I'm a barefoot & sandal guy here on the coast and beach and darn it I want to be a barefoot/sandal guy on the playa too...with happy feet

[skibear]

Yes - I am the dork wearing socks and sandals!

works!
Um I'll admit dorking like that at 2005 BM.

This year, just naked feet in sandals alternated with shoes
part of the day. Rinsed often and used more hand cream
than before & had no feet problems.

Did have hand trouble -too much messing with rebar and
dusty stuff.

[Tiahaar]

UPDATE! Alrighty, here's some testing results so far:

The Tuf-Foot stuff is 75% alcohol with various added balsams aloe and resins according to the label. It is dark carmel color, stains the skin a bit yellow, runny and leaves the skin slightly tacky like grip resin when applied. I like the aroma, been using it a week now (had to wait for a bad case of alkali burn between my toes to heal) and seems promising. Its supposed to promote a tougher elastic skin on the foot.

The SkinWear stuff works!! It is a citrus-y smelling slippery lotion that you rub into the hands (or feet...haven't tried them yet) and when it dries is not noticeably tacky or slippery, but dang grease and dirt come right off with a wet wipe, very nice! Very promising to protect against playa drying.

Haven't tried the barrier wipes from the medical place yet, they come in little packs like towlettes and are mostly for wound/incontinence skin protection according to the box. Maybe this weekend will get one out for a trial.

OK that's all for now.

[theCryptofishist]

Yeah, I'm wondering if I should use my leftover barrier wipes by my incision to protect the skin from the moisture.

[Tiahaar]

Hey yes Crypto you should be entitled to a case of the stuff from your Doc at the least! Especially if it will prevent drying from the playa dust.

[Clar-i-ty]

Never underestimate the power of desitin, zinc oxcide cream found in the baby isle.