Cracked fingers

[dDaddybass]

Does any one else have a problem with cracked fingers? Mine gets worse this time of year. I've used hand lotions, just started using vaseline on the areas that seem to give me the most problems. Anybody have any ideas?

[loend68]

I get it all the time. Here's the secret: superglue! As soon as they split, put a drop of superglue on the crack/split. Once it hardens it will stop most of the pain and by the time it falls off, it will be healed. I confirmed this with my Doctor. He said no problem as long as it's not a huge wound.
Superglue is how I get through the winter....

[dDaddybass]

I'm not putting super glue on any of my open wounds! I don't care what a doctor says. I'm looking for something to prevent cracks, not treat them.

Originally Posted by loend68

I get it all the time. Here's the secret: superglue! As soon as they split, put a drop of superglue on the crack/split. Once it hardens it will stop most of the pain and by the time it falls off, it will be healed. I confirmed this with my Doctor. He said no problem as long as it's not a huge wound.
Superglue is how I get through the winter....

[bassic_camel]

Stop taking hot showers. Take showers that are lukewarm at best. Also, when you wash your hands, use lukewarm water.

[Ric5]

Run a humidifier, or 2 or 3. Keep the humidity level above 25% in yout house. This will also cut down the number of colds and flu that you get. And it will help your basses. Wood shrinks as it dries. If it dries too much it can crack.

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

I'm not putting super glue on any of my open wounds! I don't care what a doctor says. I'm looking for something to prevent cracks, not treat them.

Superglue was modified after creation to seal open wounds for the Vietnam war. It is even FDA APPROVED. (Not that the FDA hold any weight with me).

Finally an improved cyanoacrylate glue was developed for medical applications called "2-octyl-cyanoacrylate." This compound causes less skin irritation and has improved flexibility and strength--at least three times the strength of the butyl-based compound (reference 2). As a result, in 1998 the FDA approved 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for use in closing wounds and surgical incisions, and in 2001 approved it for use as a "barrier against common bacterial microbes including certain staphylococci, pseudomonads, and Escherichia coli" (reference 2). This latest incarnation was marketed under the name Traumaseal as well as the more popular Dermabond.

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

[jollygiantchris]

Moisturize before you go to bed and when you wake up and any time you go outside. If you are still having issues do so after you wash your hands. Otherwise see a doctor and get the more powerful stuff. Be leery about putting any sort of steroidal cream on then wearing gloves for extended periods btw. Some types of medications can kill you if you do that.

[Meddle]

Other than basically taking better care of your hands I can also recommend this stuff:



Like Carmex lip balm it appears to actually be made of magic. I worked as a mail man one christmas and my hands were ruined by the cold and the paper (it saps all your skin moisture) and this stuff worked wonders. It worked wonders for my mother when the chemo ruined her hands during therapy as well, so it must be good.

Also +1 on superglue. I did this recently as well. It makes a fake callous that does not sound quite the same but it is better than the usual sore fingers. It does not sting and it does work. Some people seem allergically put off of the idea of supergluing fingers though.

[krafty]

All of my female friends swear by something called Bag Balm which was originally developed for the udders of milking cows I guess. I'm about to pick some up at the drug store and see how it goes. My hands get terribly cracked this time of year with working in the cold, giving a 4-year old hot baths, etc.

[Phalex]

I discovered Burt's Bees Hand Salve last year, and it really seems to make a difference!

[rms2]

In the operating room we use a form of superglue called Dermabond. We apply it to some fairly large incisions and it works very well. I have been using superglue on my split cuticles for years. It's the only thing that really works for that purpose for me. The lotions and salves help but don't fix the problem.

Just make sure the crack is clean and dry before applying the superglue. Then do not touch your finger to anything until it is completely dry. We had one patient who was working with superglue and forgot this precaution. He came in with his finger glued to his eyelid because he tried to rub his eye.

[byebyejimmy]

I use this stuff...

http://www.climbonproducts.com/

great for keeping your skin supple. you can get it in most climbing shops.

[electracoyote]

I live in Colorado, very dry in the winter months here.

Preventative: Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion. An RN told me about it, and it's the best preventative and repair lotion I've ever used. Every night before bedtime in the winter months.

After the crack has begun: Neosporin (or a generic equivalent) and cover with a band-aid overnight. Do it faithfully every night until the crack heals. Neosporin speeds healing like 3X faster. My cracks usually heal in around 3 days when I use it.

The superglue thing creates an unnatural bump on your finger, if it's in the string path it will feel awkward and wear off quickly.

As someone said above, ease off the hot water, use lukewarm or cold whenever possible.

[jgroh]

i used to have this problem when I was younger but it was related to eczema...you dont have something like that do you? If your hands are just dry then yes, watch out for the long hot showers or alot of washing with harsh soaps. Use Dove instead of regular soap. I got some of that bag balm stuff Krafty mentions for my daughters diaper rash and Ive used it a few times with success. But, if it is a big persisting problem, call a dermatologist for an appointment.

[Rob22315]

The best time to apply lotion is right after you've showered or washed because your skin has higher water content. The lotion will significantly reduce evaporation from the surface allowing your skin to retain that water longer. There was an experiment done years ago by treating a piece of leather (something chosen to imitate human skin) with water alone, oil alone, then water followed by oil. The water followed by oil kept the test piece moist and flexible much longer than either applied separately.

My grandparents swore by udder balm (aka bag balm - pure lanolin) to prevent cracked skin during the Maine winters. Just be careful if you google 'udder balm' at work. The first 3 or 4 links will be OK but they can get raunchy below that.

[pnut166]

My wife has this problem with her feet from time to time. She bought some special socks that she puts on @ bedtime after applying a good coating of vasoline. Two or three nights in a row...completely healed.

[dDaddybass]

Thanks for the replies guys! I have also heard of the socks and vaseline thing. The neosporine/ bandaid over night does quicken healing. My hands are in and out of water alot though out the day. I'm going to need to be more deligent with care.

Originally Posted by pnut166

My wife has this problem with her feet from time to time. She bought some special socks that she puts on @ bedtime after applying a good coating of vasoline. Two or three nights in a row...completely healed.

[guroove]

I used to have this problem, especially in the winter, but I no longer have it at all, and I attribute it to a few things:

1) Drinking more water. Seriously, I know it sounds silly, but your hands hydrate from the inside.

2) Taking vitamins / eating well. Some people don't believe in vitamins, but if you eat right, don't smoke, don't drink too much, you don't need vitamins. Also, try eating vegetables that aren't boiled until they are mush or deep fried.

3) Flatwound strings. I know this might not be for everyone, so it's definitely optional. The problem with flats is that once you've gotten used to them, rounds are a little harsh and uncomfortable to play.

[gttim]

Corn Huskers Lotion! Very similar ingredients to the Neutrogena, but less expensive. Stuff works wonders. Not greasy feeling.

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

Does any one else have a problem with cracked fingers? Mine gets worse this time of year. I've used hand lotions, just started using vaseline on the areas that seem to give me the most problems. Anybody have any ideas?

Nu Skin, you can get it @ the drug store.