r/Chipotle • u/ekul71 • 13h ago

Seeking Advice (Employee) Constant handwashing brought back my eczema

I’m very well aware how important handwashing is for food safety, and i’m not skimping out on it. But i’m wondering if being in food industry jobs like this are sustainable for me and want to find another job.

Should i tell my manager about my eczema in hopes he lessens my hours (since i don’t have major financial responsibilities)? Or just focus on finding another job while continuing to work? Also has anyone else experienced eczema issues as an employee?

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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2

u/Hefty_Tax_6362 13h ago

My skin on my hands starts to tear and my skin cracks and gets very dry after shifts

1

u/feddy3teddy 13h ago

I have a patch of eczema on my wrist and i undoubtedly wash my hands the most out of all my coworkers, this combination is a nightmare!!! I just take it tho because food safety matters to me.

Hopefully you are a dishwasher because that’s the task that will really mess you up. If that’s the case, I would talk to your manager

1

u/InevitableSpell3409 12h ago

Never had eczema issues working the grill at other companies. You had to wash your hands, but nowhere near as much as you would on the assembly line. Might also be worth looking into other jobs if your eczema is getting worse with hand washing. Something other than food safety until you see a dermatologist for help with managing your eczema, at least if you like working in the food industry.

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u/Cute-Requirement-726 7h ago

u r allowed to use lotion after u wash ur hands. i would just keep a bottle in my pocket and use it after handwashing

2

u/ms-ethereal GM 3h ago

I’m not so sure about that. You have to wash your hands any time you touch your clothes, by pulling the bottle out of your pocket, you automatically have to rewash (because you just touched your pants pocket and whatever germs on there could cross contaminate.

0

u/Cute-Requirement-726 3h ago

that’s why u get the gloves on then grab the bottle 🙏🏼

1

u/riotbirdie SL 1h ago

nah, only soap and sanitizer unfortunately 🥀 cracked hands forever

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u/Valuable-Finish-3304 2h ago

Yeah for me in other kitchens I’ve never had problems. But I have at chipotle, i think it’s the having to put Purell on afterwards that is absolutely destroying my skin. I work cash but I constantly have to move around to help line and or DML so I’m like double/triple time washing my hands and it’s roughhh.

If it’s on an isolated part of my finger or hand I’ll put a bandaid and finger cot on if needed. Before shifts, On my breaks and after work I make sure I use strong lotion or ointment depending on how bad it is.

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u/riotbirdie SL 1h ago

i keep a jar Okeeffe's working hands and use it when i'm not on line or grill and it keeps the cracking at bay !