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Help! My hands are cracking!

Joe Gress

Joe Gress

Dec 22, 2005
11,863
37
Pueblo, CO
#1
Since it is winter time here in southern Colorado, the air is very dry. Were talkin 0% humidity between snowstorms. And ever since I started working more in the packing/shipping department of the store I work for, my hands have been very dry. They started first by drying up and blistering, and now there starting to crack and bleed (especially on the top of the finger, by the nails). There really starting to hurt sometimes. :(

I have tried drinking more water, using lotion, and a special cream called zims crack creme (shutup, it's real). Either it didn't work, only provided temporary relief, or caused my hand's to get this rash (probably allergic).

Does anybody know of any solutions? I am handling products and papers all day, so I can't wear gloves.
 
#5
dude, you need to be careful. there's a risk of infection as well. i worked as a machinist for a while and used to get small patches of contact dermatitis from the fluids i was working with which i repaired with cortate cream ( it's a corticosteroid ). if i left this with out putting the cream on it would crack and then start to bleed. if your company has a nurse, maybe go and see him/her about this. if not go to your doctor and ask to be referred to a dermatologist if he can't help you. you could also try a moisturizer with surgical rubber gloves to enable you to handle things while keeping the hands moist. good luck man. i hope things work out for you.
 
#8
Sounds freaky, but I use a small amount of Olive Oil. It soaks in eventually. I slather it on when I get home from work, and before I go to bed. My hands aren't in perfect shape, but I really do think it helps. I have a tub of udder cream at work that I use too.
 
#12
Find a good supply of tight latex gloves and apply a natural oil (like Olive oil) or get a dermatologically test hand cream. If the situation does not clear up, contact your occupational health department, who should be able to help you!

Those Colorado winters sound brutal!
 
#13
I've used the Bag balm, and Olive oil to fix the winter cracks before, but I swear the best thing to do is wash them well, then put lotion or petrolatum*(don't laugh) on (in medium amounts, enough to get moisture into your skin), then put on your non-latex* gloves, then put on a glove that can resist the wear and tear of your duties. ("mechanix" gloves are awesome for this).

* = If you use real "vaseline", don't use real latex gloves, the petroleum will make the glove break almost immediately upon applying tension to the glove.
 
#20
I live in Fort Collins and I know what you mean about dry.

Neutrogena is about as good as anything, but it does leave a rather greasy feeling. Over time I've also found that Curel lotion is very good.

Carry some along and use it - and you might consider wearing gloves, even if they're latex, while handling stuff that comes in. Latex gloves will hold in moisture.

Sam's Club carries some lightweight roping gloves that are reasonably priced and pretty easy to wear.
 

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