To Kris, Cynthia, and David...thanks for the hand treatment suggestions. I may try all you mentioned. I just read today that formulators of the growing mixes used for starting plants (e.g., Scotts, Fafard) use urea formaldehydes in the mix. Dunno, but the formaldehyde part of the formulation may not be agreeing with my skin. Linda in NW Ohio near Toledo/Lake Erie, USDA Zone 5 llbs@mail.glasscity.net