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Weird question. But I gotta know...

#41
You need two very basic things:
1. have a slightly less good heating. Sadly, in winter, good heating is almost always correlated with very dry air. I don't have this problem even though the weather gets quite cold here in the north, because we don't heat the house like maniacs. But you can't walk around in shorts in our house.
2. smear some fat of your choice on your skin. The big secret of cosmetic industry is that any fat on your skin (even the cheapest tallow) will keep moisture from easily evaporating. Same principle that works for lip balms to protect them from cracking in the winter.

There is a third one, and that is to have all the vitamins you need. Of course, this is tricky but also the most important one, as its benefits extend beyond just not having a dry skin.
 
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#42
This stuff works for me. I started using it decades ago (as an auto mechanic for over 40 years). Made in Vermont, where it gets pretty darn cold in the winter.


bagbalm.jpg
 
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#53
OP, I feel your pain (literally). I go through the same thing every year, too. I have naturally dry skin, so I'm always trying to stay hydrated as best as I can, and try to put on lotion (hate the stuff) frequently.

After years of dealing with it, and still trying to do school, work, and gig as a musician, I figured out the main problems:
1. Not drinking enough water
2. Being exposed to cold weather conditions
3. Using abrasive soaps (I worked in food service during college, constantly washing hands/dishes, etc)
4. Not getting enough sleep (a BIG problem)

My words of advice: if you are in the midst of the problem and have to gig, Liquid Bandage is your friend. Apply a couple layers of it, and you can at least get through the gig in a less amount of pain and use all of your fingers. Problem with it, though, is that it doesn't allow your finger to heal. So, you gotta find that break in between gigging and...

...put some kind of healing ointment on during the day, and cover with a bandage. Try not to wash your hands with antibacterial soap or soap with alcohol. Hand sanitizer is the worst!

During the evening, either put on a thick lotion (Nutrogena Norwegian Formula is great), or coat your hands in Vasoline and cover them up with socks or gloves.

As much as I anticipate it happening every year and take precautionary measures, there's usually a situation or two that arises where I have to catch up with the symptoms. Good luck!
 
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#55
Joe Nerve said:
Do any of you have any thoughts or idea for strengthening your skin....<snip>...
A few years back, due to the cold winter weather (or heat inside), my skin began to crack. ...<snip>.. and it didn't heal until the winter ended...
Click to expand...
Funny how this came up in another new thread, so I think it's got to be the season. So, I point you to my post there: Bad finger tip pain!!
It's not going to heal until you isolate it from the winter environment. Thus the Liquid Bandage. To be effective, the liquid needs multiple coats and about an hour to dry hard before you can touch anything with that finger. The best solution is prevention, and I'd suggest liberal use of O'Keefe's hand cream to keep your skin soft enough so it doesn't crack from the combined effects of dry winter air, normal use, hand-washing, and above all: AGE-RELATED SKIN DETERIORATION. I have another solution for healing, but it's going to be expensive: take a five-day trip to southern Florida or to southern California. When I was still working, and got to take those kinds of trips on the company payroll and expense account, I was always amazed at how skin problems alway miraculously cleared up.
 
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#58
I use the O'Keefe's Working Hands hand cream as well. I will use Krazy Glue to cover any splits, especially before a gig and it gets me through. When I cream up, I just make sure I don't do it before or near when I am going to play. I don't want to muck up my strings. I love bright strings and it's a bummer for me when they go dead.
 
#59
Joe Nerve said:
Do any of you have any thoughts or idea for strengthening your skin :) ? Allow me to explain.

I play lots and have been doing so for decades. Saying that because this isn't a lack of callous or experience issue. Its a skin issue.

A few years back, due to the cold winter weather (or heat inside), my skin began to crack. When it happened on my right pointer, my most used finger, it became a very bad situation. I taped it, crazy glued it, bandaided it, vitamin E'ed it, liquid bandaged it... and it didn't heal until the winter ended.

Well... its happening again. It split open 2 weeks ago. I got through a gig with a bandage, but it sucks doing that. My band fortunately has a few weeks off, and I really want to heal this thing up. I'm currently dousing it with Vaseline and wrapping it up, but the skin is still dry once I clean it up - and I know will crack right open within 15 minutes of solid playing.

My best solution thus far is practicing to play with my ring and middle finger, but wow! Try running through a few songs like that :) .

Any and all thoughts welcome. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I have the same issue during the winter. I’ve found that hydration (drinking tons of water throughout the day) and having a humidifier in my bedroom at night definitely helps.
 

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