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Free boxes of eczema hand cream to be provided for nurses

NHS discount service Blue Light Card and skincare brand Nursem have teamed up to provide healthcare staff with the nurse-designed cream in National Eczema Week

NHS discount service Blue Light Card and skincare brand Nursem have teamed up to provide healthcare staff with the nurse-designed cream in National Eczema Week

Skincare brand Nursem is offering nurses and other healthcare professionals a free box of hand cream designed by a nurse, to tie in with National Eczema Week

NHS discount service Blue Light Card has teamed up with skincare brand Nursem to offer nurses and other healthcare professionals a free box of hand cream designed by a nurse, to tie in with National Eczema Week (13-19 September).

Eczema and other skin conditions are a common problem among nurses and other healthcare professionals, made worse by having to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic.

Designing a cream to help nurses with cracked hands

A survey by Nursing Standard earlier this year revealed that half of nurses have experienced skin damage due to work in the past two years, including dry, itchy or painful reactions to gloves and other PPE.

The dermatologically tested cream being offered via Blue Light Card was designed by paediatric intensive care nurse Antonia Philp and her husband Jonny. Ms Philp often came home with cracked and bleeding hands from constant hand-washing.

Knowing the problem was also affecting thousands of other nurses Ms Philp got to work designing a hand cream that would combat skin concerns specific to nurses.

Nursem and Blue Light Card to deliver 250 free Nursem Promise packs

Through their partnership with Blue Light Card, Nursem will deliver 250 free Nursem Promise packs, with each one containing a month’s supply of hand cream for up to 40 nurses and other healthcare workers.

Each box contains four 500mL Caring Hand Cream bottles. Blue Light Card members can nominate their team to receive a free pack.

Damage to hands: Nursing Standard survey results

  • 44% of nurses reported dry, cracked and red skin on their hands
  • Some 46% said hand-washing had caused damage to their hand skin, 43% said the use of hand sanitiser had affected it, and 26% said wearing gloves was a factor
  • The problem is so severe for some that it has forced 2% to take time off work to allow their skin to heal, and just over 0.5% to quit their job altogether

(Source: Nursing Standard survey 2022)

Giving something back for front-line workers

‘Front-line workers such as those who work in social care, NHS and emergency services work tirelessly and it certainly doesn't go unnoticed,’ Blue Light Card chief executive Tom Dalby said.

‘With Blue Light Card members nominating their highly deserving colleagues, we hope all 10,000 nurses and midwives enjoy this extra special, healing treat.’

Nursem also said it donates a month’s worth of hand cream to a nurse or midwife for every product purchased, and that more than 500,000 nurses and midwives have benefited.

Find out more

Nominate your team for a free box of Nursem Promise hand cream


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