23.09.2024
Linnéa Pettersson Dove, Pro Hockey Player – On Eczema, Glove Use, and Skin Recovery
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23.09.2024
Linnéa Pettersson Dove, Pro Hockey Player – On Eczema, Glove Use, and Skin Recovery
When Your Hands Can’t Handle the Game Anymore
Interviewed 7 February 2024
Redness, cracks, stinging – it was part of everyday life for Linnea at Frölunda HC. She’s been playing there for years. But for a long time, something bothered her more than most people realized.
– I’ve always had sensitive skin. Just a bit of sweat would trigger a flare-up – especially on my hands. Red, irritated, and sometimes cracked. It’s been like that for years.
What were you using before?
– Cotton gloves and cortisone. But they didn’t help much. The problems came back after every practice. There was always something that rubbed the wrong way.
Through a teammate, she heard about a different kind of glove liner – designed to keep the skin dry, not just absorb the sweat.
– I figured it was worth trying. If it worked, that would be a real relief.
You’ve been using them for about a year now?
– Yeah, roughly. The first two practices felt a bit strange. But then things turned around. My grip improved, my hands felt drier, and my skin started doing better. Now it feels weird not to wear them.
– I even did a test recently – practiced without them. Never again. The redness came back immediately. The cracks too. It felt like starting over.
What do your teammates say?
– A few have asked why I wear gloves inside my gloves. It does look a bit odd. But once I explain that it helps, they go quiet. Then suddenly, it’s not weird at all.
– The gloves don’t smell as bad anymore either. They used to get kind of slimy – not so much now.
Why do you wear glove liners?
– To avoid skin issues. To be able to focus on the game. Because it actually makes a difference. And it’s not some miracle fix – it’s just that my skin gets to stay dry.
– A lot of people on the team use hair dryers between periods. They want dry gloves. And it’s not just because it feels better – it’s because it works better.
What would you say to other players dealing with the same issues but haven’t found anything that works?
– Try it. Give it three practices. If it doesn’t work, fine. But it might be that one small change that lets you stop thinking about your hands all the time. That’s what happened for me.
Full interview available with English subtitles.
Further Reading and References
ScienceDirect - Irritants and Allergens
OH&S - The Real Cost of Sweaty Gloves
Eagle Protect - Skin Disease and Hand Injuries from Disposable Gloves
Acta Dermato-Venereologica - Contact Dermatitis from Nitrile
Pierrefabre Eczema Foundation - Eczema at Work
OH&S - The Invisible Threat Under Gloves
