Tearing my fingertip open -- what to do?

KrisH · #1 01-11-2009, 04:32 PM

This has happened twice now in the past month or so. The skin toward the outer edge of my right middle finger tip splits wide open. Like someone took a sharp object and opened it up from the nail bed under the end of the nail forward. It's happened after a gig or a practice, but not that I played especially energetically. And there doesn't seem to be any sharp edge to my nail that cuts into the flesh. The calluses are pretty thick, but it stings anyhow. Putting a bandage on while it heals sux.

Any idea what I may be doing wrong?

funkydanbass · #2 01-11-2009, 04:35 PM

Without actually seeing you play, I would just suggest you turn the amp up a little and play alot softer.

RobertPaulson · #3 01-11-2009, 04:36 PM

not sure how to prevent it, but when I played in a hardcore band way back when I used to keep a tube of super glue with me to stop the bleeding if I wore through my hand during a set.

blackcolin · #4 01-11-2009, 04:37 PM

Super glue, Baby. Glue it shut, and take care of those hands. It's cold in Jersey; wear gloves, moisturize...

stackey · #5 01-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Sounds painful - usually that kind of thing is because your skin is dry - that is easily remedied. One thing, though, and the reason for my reply: BE CAREFUL with applicants like Nu-Skin. I got a blister halfway through a set when I was just starting to play upright. On the break I pulled out the Nu-Skin and patched it up (I had a feeling blisters were in order that night). 15 minutes into the next set I felt a sting, looked down, and the pad of my right middle finger had come off and was hanging like the top of a soup can. If I hadn't put that stuff on, it would've just split. Hung me up for a week...

KrisH · #6 01-11-2009, 06:56 PM

Thanks bunches! Dry skin is no doubt the problem. I just haven't been keeping the moisturizer handy often enough. Lesson learned.

57pbass · #7 01-11-2009, 07:07 PM

If its the hand you use to play the note you might try using a pick...

beelzelboss · #8 01-11-2009, 11:35 PM

moisturize, drink lots of water, not more more you can do... maybe switch to coated strings? to me they are a lot more like slippier. my hands just slide all over them.