Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Three nights ago I noticed that after washing my hands they felt really sticky, almost like when you use the last paper towel on the roll and you get that glue residue on your hands. However, it wasn't the last paper towel so I figured maybe the liquid soap was really old and doing funky things so I rewashed with dish soap and again grabbed a paper towel. Once again, my hands got sticky as I dried them off. Thinking now that there was something wrong with these paper towels, I washed again and this time dried with a hand towel only to yet again find my hands sticky as they dried off. The stickiness only lasts 30-60 seconds, until the skin completely dries, but during that in-between time of soaking wet and totally dry they feel very tacky to the touch and my fingers will actually stick to each other.
The next day when I took a shower I noticed that the water was beading up on the skin on my arms. Sure enough, when I dried off afterwards I found that all of my skin is tacky to the thouch until it is completely air dried.
Today I shaved my legs and my skin felt almost like it had a layer of wax on it that kept catching the razor. The skin on my hands seems to be getting more sticky when they get wet. Water continues to bead on my skin when it gets wet. I asked my children if they can feel that my skin is sticky to the touch and they said yes.
This is affecting all of my skin now, including my face. I always put a moisturizer on my face after washing and it does not feel like my skin is absorbing it now, it just feels heavy and greasy since the lotion just sits there on top. I also tried putting lotion on my hands and it was not absorbed at all, just left my hands feeling very slimy and greasy so I wiped it off.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this or have any suggestions for what might be causing it? Thanks for any held you can give.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment472 Comments
Change your water heater or at least drain a few times.I drained mine about 6 times before water ran clear but stickiness went away for about 3 years.
July 28, 2018 - 7:12amThis Comment
Same thing happens to me. You sweat a little and your legs stick together. Bad under arms, the stickiness. I am the only one in assisted facility who experiences this. Makes your mousturizers sticky on face. I believe it also clogs up your pores.
September 21, 2017 - 10:52amThis Comment
No t
There is a strong possibility that you have mold issues in your water. You should get it tested.
September 21, 2017 - 7:45amThis Comment
I have polymyositis I periodically have the same condition after shower my hands are sticky in the skin feels thick I can literally scratch all the loose skin off when my hands full with dry they are left dry and scaly looking doctors don't understand Autoimmune disorders ..... you're not going crazy I would just look down a different path these things come and go I get it about three times a year.
May 19, 2017 - 11:16amAlbert
This Comment
I notice that I get that sticky / tacky feeling on my hands when I use hand soap made from china. So I would wash it off with my regular soap that I use and, presto, no problem. I would be careful with the type of soap I'm using and paper towels.......
April 28, 2017 - 11:09amThis Comment
Last summer I was working outside a lot .... and sweating a lot, profusely. Our climate here in Texas is humid, but the sweating would start and it seemed as if it needed to run it's coarse and would stop. It was embarrassing if I was out somewhere. Anyway, one day after one of these serious bouts of sweating, I can upstairs to wash my hands and they stuck together. I thought I had gotten some glue or chemicals on them as I was painting/crafting etc. It would wash off. I sort of had to peel my hands apart. I used alcohol and other products and finally got it to a minimum. That was my first encounter with the sticky skin. Going forward, every bath resulted in sticky skin. When it dries, it's fine, but reappears when wet. I've tried various things, but nothing made an impact except one. I was on an organic diet, almost 100% veggies and using a detox kit when I noticed that my skin was not sticky. It was very noticeable. I would also like to add that I wasn't drinking any alcohol during this time period. I love to drink wine at night and can get a little carried away with the quantity. Once the diet ended, the sticky skin returned.
April 16, 2017 - 8:39amI don't know if there is information here that is helpful it trying to figure it out. I will keep following this post. Thank you all for your comment.s
This Comment
Are you still dealing with sticky skin? How long has it been going on? Have you had any health issues along with the sticky skin? I am dealing with this issue also.
June 18, 2017 - 9:52pmAny information would be appreciated. I am going to be seen at Cleveland Clinic in the next few months hopefully will get some answers. If anyone has had a diagnosis please let me know what was told to you by your doctor. If I find out anything with my appointment I will post it here. Thank you
This Comment
As I am considering an appointment at the Cleveland clinic for the same problem, I’d love to hear what you thought and how it turned out on your visit.
June 20, 2019 - 6:38pmThis Comment
lpokey2 i've had this condition when skin is sticky when slightly wet/damp for the past 5 years now. been to numerous derms but no solutions sadly. no health issues. please let us know your experience and any response at all from the clinic! we will definitely appreciate you keeping us posted with any updates and best of luck! -Steven
June 26, 2017 - 7:39amThis Comment
Thank you Steven for responding to me.
July 1, 2017 - 4:45pmI will definitely post anything I find out at Cleveland Clinic.
I have dealt with muscle issues for several years before this issue with my skin. I always felt that under my skin it was becoming thicker and lumpy. Do you have anything like that happening to you? My muscle issues consists of being extremely tight and hard. I have spasms, pain, and stiffness that has progressed through the years. Has anything unusual happened to you?
Thanks again Steven for responding to me.
Take care
This Comment