So, I had the X ray.......

Disposable glove as Minimoon says.

My gp told me that most people over 40 have arthritis somewhere. It's only when you damage the area through fall, over exercising or over use that it flares up and causes pain. Gentle exercise, physio, proper support and self awareness is the only way to manage it without drugs.

Have had arthritis for a good few years now and use the rub when it get really bad. Now I am on letrasol after breast cancer and it makes arthritis worse, either suffer stiff joints or do without the tablets,swings and roundabouts.

I've just had a steroid injection again in that thumb joint, under ultrasound.
I have one hand or the other done every 2 or 3 years, and it works very well.
It hurts like b*****ry for about 7-8 seconds, but then the anaesthetic cuts in. It takes about 24 hours to actually work, then I am back to normal.

Steroid injections in hands and feet are quite complicated and usually done with an x-ray to guide the needle. I had one done this way when I had a very painful thumb joint and it didn't work well. Surgery sorted it out. My DS has recently had a steroid injection in his toe by the same process and it has worked. It's a bit sobering when the next generation starts having osteo arthritis!

I am really fearful of steroid injections

Is it worth repeating that my arthritis responds very well to MSM?

www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-522/msm-methylsulfonylmethane

SueDonim I'm going to save that option for when I really need it! I can put up with it for now.

both my hands are sore , I used to rub it on OHs knees and not wash my hands till I was going to do something , like get the dinner or eat my tea

I'd beg for the steroid injection! I had one such for a bad shoulder and, oh my, it made me feel 20 years younger!

I am fortunate, I never read instructions! I would think I would wash one hand and use a paper towel to remove the gel from the affected hand. Not ideal.

Here's a nurses solution ladies, wear a disposable glove, vinyl or rubber, powdered or not the choice is yours. ??

My GP, with a totally straight face, advised me to use a rubber glove when rubbing in the gel. I still don’t know if she was joking. I co-opted Mr C to be gel applier, not sure he’d pass his NVQ .

Glad I'm not alone, Septima!

I suppose in my case I could use fingertips and just wash those, and in your case you could use a cotton wool pad to apply the gel?

I have the same problem - the arthritis is in the metacarpophalangeal joint of my right forefinger. Apply gel - then what? Wash one hand?