Weird question concerning Gross Anatomy lab

[Schmetterling]

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.... is anyone else having skin problems? I swear (ewwww) that my face is NOT getting that close to the cadaver, but can the evaporating chemicals and preservatives cause breakouts or dry skin?

 

[Dirt]

My face is clean and clear.

 

[RinaBe]

Stress-related outbreaks?

 

[Schmetterling]

Stress-related outbreaks?

It's possible; I don't feel stressed and I'm doing great in GA, but it could be subconscious. It just seems to get worse after class, not to mention a lot of students need chapstick then too.

 

[URHere]

Are you doing anything you wouldn't usually do (e.g. showering more than usual, over-washing your hands/face, or wearing more layers than normal in a hot room)? I know many people in my class have been doing things like that to deal with the smell, and they could be wreaking havoc on your skin...

 

[DrMichelle]

i had a lot of this problem last year - a bunch of us started to believe that somehow the chemicals clogged up our pores. Not sure if that is actually true, but fret not because you are not alone at all.

I found that if I washed my face as soon as I got out of the lab and then again when I got home that it made it somewhat better.

Good luck!

 

[EMmedic]

This is definitely not unusual. I also thought that anatomy lab made my hair feel different (texture). You aren't the only one - just try to wash your face right after lab and shower as soon as possible.

 

[Mr. Freeze]

Yeah, that's not unusual. Unusual would be getting a boner or something. Especially in scrubs, cuz you ain't hiding that ****.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

.... is anyone else having skin problems? I swear (ewwww) that my face is NOT getting that close to the cadaver, but can the evaporating chemicals and preservatives cause breakouts or dry skin?

Oh, yes. Some people react very badly to the preservatives. Although I wouldn't get too hung-up on whether or not you have an allergy to formaldehyde - due to the carcinogen concerns, most schools don't use much anymore (and that, my friend, is why the really fat cadavers are going to have a knock-you-over sour, rancid smell by the end of the semester). My school used mostly phenol, with just a tiny bit of formaldehyde, if any.

I think showering as soon as possible after class is a good bet. If your face really gives you problems, a duckbill mask/face shield would be entirely justified - but you'll probably get laughed at due to the machismo attitudes that prevail in cadaver lab. C'est la vie.

 

[Concordia]

I have noticed the same thing (the whole skin/hair problem), but I blame it on the general fat that you get to deal w/ when dissecting. I just make sure to wash my face as soon as I can. Maybe you should invest in a stronger face wash for the time being?

 

[clandestino]

i would always get a crazy booger buildup during lab that i would have to fix upon leaving lab (and washing my hands like crazy)! my lab mates had the same thing happen to them, so that was kind of interesting. also, my hair would feel really nasty after lab, kind of like straw so i would use deep clarifying shampoo...that helped. as for skin stuff, my gross lab would get really hot, so maybe that could be a contributing factor to your problem?