Callus help?!?!

llacnayr · #1 03-18-2010, 11:56 AM

So on my right hand (plucking fingers) it seems like the skin is ripping off. It's very raw and hurts to play, I know that the best idea is to just keep playing and let calluses harden, but I need to be able to play for long periods of time.

Is there any way that I can put something on my fingers to help this?

DrVenkman · #2 03-18-2010, 01:41 PM

Never tried it myself, but I've heard of people using super glue for this. Drip a little on something plastic you don't care about and swipe your fingers through. Just be sure to keep your fingers spread apart until the glue dries!

jacohead · #3 03-18-2010, 01:43 PM

We all went through it.. suck it up !

crijan · #4 03-18-2010, 01:44 PM

Superglue will not help as it won't dry unless it is pressed together (it has to be free of oxygen to dry).

**pacojas** · #5 03-18-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacohead

We all went through it.. suck it up !

+1

lunarpollen · #6 03-18-2010, 02:03 PM

Calluses are not merely formed by frictional wear and tear. Their occurrance and characteristics (yes there are different kinds of callus) also have a lot to do with the default condition of your skin, which is affected by all sorts of things: genetics, diet, exposure to chemicals, proper hydration, etc. Raw, painful calluses can be soothed with various products and moisturizers. If they are very raw, you will want to make sure they don't get infected, so some antiseptics and antibiotic ointment might help with that. A lot of people use Bag Balm to soothe such conditions.

Super glue is more like a "first aid" treatment for raw cracked calluses when you need some immediate protection for a gig.

llacnayr · #7 03-18-2010, 08:31 PM

Thanks everyone!

Stumbo · #8 03-18-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llacnayr

So on my right hand (plucking fingers) it seems like the skin is ripping off. It's very raw and hurts to play, I know that the best idea is to just keep playing and let calluses harden, but I need to be able to play for long periods of time.

Are you sure it's a callus or a blister? Sounds like a blister to me.

If you keep playing while it's raw, you'll probably get infected.

Calluses usually take time to build up.

Try using a pick and alternating until the calluses build up.

Here are a couple of links you may want to check out:
Repairing cuts on your fingers
Cracked Skin-Preventing/Fixing

remainthesame · #9 03-22-2010, 05:33 PM

just keep playing, after a while your fingerz will turn to calluses and you will hardly feel them anymore

blackshift · #10 03-24-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llacnayr

So on my right hand (plucking fingers) it seems like the skin is ripping off. It's very raw and hurts to play, I know that the best idea is to just keep playing and let calluses harden, but I need to be able to play for long periods of time.

Is there any way that I can put something on my fingers to help this?

I don't know.
It's sounds like something that can get better with a 1 or 2 day break from playing.

nsmar4211 · #11 03-25-2010, 06:58 AM

When I raised rabbits I used to put a solution from the feed store on their hocks (feet) when they'd get raw from the cages.

http://www.happyjackinc.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7661/.f
this is my old bottle (not sure if the link above is the new format)
http://www.lcsupply.com/Product/Medi...appy-jack.html

Made by happy jack, Pad Kote. Got it at tractor supply or the local feed store, the pet stores may even be able to order it or carry it.

I found out by happy accident (rabbit kicked!) that it would also toughen a humans' fingers and went to many drumline practices with purple/blue patches where my sticks rested. Smells funny, stings open areas, turns you colors.....but toughened the skin. Washes off with rubbing alcohol (the color does), I just let it wear off. The hole is kinda small, so I'd just turn it over and let it drip. If you squeeze the bottle you will have a *mess*. If you're putting it on critters, do it outside, in old clothes, and wait till it's completely dry (takes a few minutes)

Matter of fact, think I need to order a bottle...

Fergie Fulton · #12 03-25-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crijan

Superglue will not help as it won't dry unless it is pressed together (it has to be free of oxygen to dry).

Don't know what glue you have but super glue will dry with out contact,and is ideal for this application.

maxgrant · #13 04-09-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moconno1

Super glue is toxic and really shouldn't be used on skin though.

It will irritate your skin, but the non-commercial version of that kind of glue is in fact used for closing wounds in adverse conditions and has been for decades.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...nds-in-vietnam

It wasn't quite "invented" for the purpose, but aside from heat during curing the commercial version is pretty harmless. I used it to stitch together a cut I gave myself when one of my teeth broke and left a very jagged point in my mouth. It didn't bother me in the slightest.

Edit: to the OP, blisters need to be taken care of (peroxide) but I recall very clearly that my first calluses developed after I blistered my left hand fingers to the point that they were oozing clear pus.

We all have to do it.

turbo chicken · #14 04-09-2010, 01:15 PM

take a break with that hand... for a couple day's ... then get back at it...

or take the time to practice everything with a pick... it's what i did when i got back into it a few months ago ...

Ibanez6string · #15 04-10-2010, 10:17 PM

what kind of strings are you using? no one thought about that? i know on my acoustic bass the strings on that kill my fingers because they are different then all the ones on my 4 electric basses, you may want to look into another brand. i use D'addario