The baby powder trick is clever, never heard of that one before. I usually just go full hazmat mode—disposable coveralls, gloves, goggles, respirator...the works. Looks ridiculous but saves days of misery. Did you guys try barrier creams at all? Curious if they're worth the hassle.
Barrier creams can be hit or miss, honestly. Last time I tackled insulation, I went the full suit route like you did—felt a bit like a scene from Breaking Bad, lol. But I experimented with barrier cream on my wrists and neck where the suit tends to gap. It definitely reduced irritation there, but I wouldn't rely on it alone. Probably worth having around as extra protection for spots your gear doesn't fully cover...but don't ditch the hazmat just yet.
I've never really trusted barrier creams myself—seems like a bit of a gamble for the price. Last time I did insulation, I just taped up the suit cuffs and collar with painter's tape. It looked ridiculous, but honestly worked pretty well. Cheaper than barrier cream too. Might be worth trying if you're on a budget...though peeling off the tape afterward wasn't exactly fun.
Painter's tape is actually a pretty clever idea—I never thought of that. I've always been a bit skeptical about barrier creams myself, mostly because I can't shake the feeling they're more marketing hype than actual protection. Last time I tackled insulation, I ended up double-layering nitrile gloves and duct-taping the wrists. Worked great for keeping out the itchy stuff, but man, my wrists felt like they'd been waxed afterward...ouch.
One thing I've found helpful is baby powder or talcum powder. Sounds weird, but dusting your skin lightly before suiting up seems to help reduce irritation if any fibers sneak in. It's cheap, easy to find, and honestly makes cleanup afterward less miserable too.
Might be worth giving it a shot next time—definitely beats peeling tape off sensitive skin!
Painter's tape is a solid trick, hadn't thought of that either. I've done the duct tape thing myself—definitely effective, but yeah, the hair removal afterward is brutal. Another thing that helps me is a quick cold shower after working; warm water seems to open pores and make the itch worse...
