A few days I had a busy afternoon making up hanging baskets and planters. Here are several of them.
Petunia planter from this week.
Another petunia planter from this past week.
Wednesday I noted I was having pain and some redness in the cuticle and side of the index finger of my right hand (I am right handed and I also started suffering this fall from a skin condition that seems to be worse in that hand). I tried using some home care, but by yesterday I was suspecting an infection. Because of my skin condition my fingers can get swollen and red anyway, and if I don't constantly moisturize I get tiny, painful blisters on my fingers. (Sorry for the TMI). But this was different.
A nurse practitioner at my dermatologists was able to see me yesterday and diagnosed an infection, something called paronychia. Because I am allergic to many antibiotics, the doctor is trying me on a topical antibiotic. I use it twice a day and soak the finger in a 50-50 white vinegar/water solution four times a day. But, as part of this she doesn't want me to do any gardening (because I wear gloves during these activities) until it clears up.
I had just bought (and used during the potting) new gardening gloves which had a cotton liner but apparently it wasn't good enough.
Bad timing!
Paronychia, it would seem, is the most common skin infection
So we have various flowers now that my spouse will have to plant for me. And our community garden is going to be opening later in the week and he'll be busy there.
I really need to find good gardening gloves that you can feel through but are safe for people with hand conditions. This is something new for me.
In the meantime, I should have plenty of flowers to share with you on Garden Bloggers Bloom day, Sunday after next.
...I will wait a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI am willing to rush the season on baskets. I bring them in (too often) if it is going to get cold.
DeleteWell I hope you whip the paronychia soon. I don't have a day that I don't get my hands in the dirt. I am bad to do a bit unplanned gardening barehanded. This is a wee bit why I handwash dishes at my home. It gets that hard to get to dirt residue.
ReplyDeleteSo I hope you can get back to gardening soon. Your petunia baskets look lovely.
I admit to sometimes using my bare hands if it's a quick job. I can't wash dishes barehanded anymore; I use gloves made for that purpose. I don't have a dishwasher and I am not unhappy about that.
DeleteI am clueless as to whether I did the captcha and the first comment gets through. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a return to gardening. Your baskets look great.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Blogger commenting, since they changed the feature, has been so glitchy. Your comment did get through on my moderation.
DeleteCan you wear latex gloves under the gardening gloves? Would that work? The latex would protect your skin.
ReplyDeleteI can't wear latex gloves unless they are cotton lined. I can't use anything I might sweat in. But thanks for the suggestion; I am going to have to do some thinking about this.
DeleteSo sorry to hear this. I hope you find a solution to your glove problem.
ReplyDeleteI had a rash like that years ago. The blisters were awful. Good luck getting rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of your skin problems. I hope everything clears up nicely very soon and you are able to enjoy your gardening again.
ReplyDeleteYow! That sounds distinctly uncomfortable! So sorry you have to endure it. I hope the treatments are working?
ReplyDeleteI've learned something new today, Paronychia. Very poor time of year to be told not to garden! I thought you might be pushing the petunia season a bit! I never wear gloves, washing dishes or gardening. My mother always had a pair of yellow rubber gloves at the kitchen sink! Hope you come up with an easy solution.
ReplyDeleteI been looking at all the hanging basket and such at store. The deer is so hard on the plants in my yard.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe