Thanks, Laura! I’ll have to think about a video. Interesting idea.

To answer your questions . . . I don’t do any special protection for my ulcers in the shower, at present. I always remove my bandages when they’re really soaked so I don’t tear the skin, then gently wash them and rinse in the shower, pat dry, so they get a good cleaning. However, when they’re infected and very sore, this can be tricky and requires a very gentle treatment. I favor Dove soap and Cetaphil (generic version is fine, too) as the most comfortable.

I can envision your issue with ulcers under nails. I no longer have long enough nails for this to be an issue, but your hair dryer trick sounds like a good one, as long as it’s not too hot and dries out the skin too much.

Regarding knuckles . . . best approach is to catch them soon. These have been my worst ulcers, along with ulcers in nail beds. When they get deep, they are very tricky to manage. I have used Aquafor ointment and an alginate dressing (to manage moisture and provide extra padding) with the Coverlet bandages for years, but the one word of caution is to use only the least amount of ointment that will keep the ulcer moist as it heals. If you use too much, it can cause the skin to macerate. My preference is to change my dressings when I get up and before I go to bed. I was once advised by a wound specialist that this was too frequent and to only change them daily, but my experience is that skin deteriorates if I only change once every 24 hours.

Bottom line: if you have access to a wound care clinic, ask their advice. Or seek advice from a dermatologist with expertise in scleroderma. They can help assess your unique situation and recommend the best approach for you. Good luck!!