Weird question. But I gotta know...

[RichterScale]

Just saw that a tube of this is about the same price as E45. Will read a bit more and decide probably between one of those 2.

Thanks.

And I won't put vaseline on tonight.

Yeah, it comes in a plastic canister and a squeeze tube. It's not oily, even when wet and it dries quickly. I put it on before bed.
Like you, I hate having goop on my hands. I especially don't like when they are greasy and slippery. That's why I wouldn't use old school Vaseline. It does have it's uses though: bearing lube, fire starter, grease your teeth when you have to smile all day, so your upper lip doesn't stick to your teeth etc.
Mostly I was just giving @StereoPlayer a hard time.

 

[MG Wolf]

Bit of a quirky name but I would highly recommend “CrackCare”.

I owned a health food store for a minute (5 years) back in the ‘90’s and my clientele swore by it and were consistently amazed by it.

Formulated by a female Vermont dentist who spent her life with her hands in everybody’s mouths.

I just looked it up online and I believe it’s sold by “NH Made”.

 

[ga_edwards]

There’s plenty of suggestions for healing your skin already so I won’t add them. However, how is your pick playing technique? It might be the solution to get you through the immediate gigs. Otherwise, I hear there are purpose made “musicians” silk gloves that might help playing be less painful.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

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.

Bag balm…

 

[KidAmnesia]

I think the solution to that issue is pretty obvious.

Sure, but there you have another contributing factor besides the dry air inside his home.

 

[Joe Nerve]

See a doctor!

I had exzema on my feet REALLY bad decades ago. I thought it was athlete's foot, treated it accordingly, and as a result after a few days I could barely walk the pain was so bad. Once the doc diagnosed it and I treated it PROPERLY it disappeared.

Don't come to TB for medical adive!

I trust the collective knowledge of the people here far more than that of most doctors. And I'm not joking about that.

I am however getting my yearly physical in 2 weeks anyhow.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I hope you're staying away from Crazy Glue whatever else you're applying

Yes. I learned my lessons with that the first time I wrestled with this.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

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.

Maybe someone has proposed this as a solution, but I buy a Chapstick and coat/fill in the cracks with it at regular intervals. At night fill in the crack and wrap a bandaid around it. Sorry if this seems like a VooDoo/goofball solution but for me it works.

 

[Joe Nerve]

There’s plenty of suggestions for healing your skin already so I won’t add them. However, how is your pick playing technique? It might be the solution to get you through the immediate gigs. Otherwise, I hear there are purpose made “musicians” silk gloves that might help playing be less painful.

My pic skill are pretty good. I played guitar for 10 yrs before bass. There are some songs though that are a challenge, as well as much more fun to play with fingers. I brought both a pic and a glove to my last gig. I used gloves at an outdoor gig on a parade float a few years back, and they were easier to play with than I thought they'd be. I want to use that as a last resort only. Thanks.

 

[micguy]

Sure, but there you have another contributing factor besides the dry air inside his home.

Both of which have very straightforward solutions. Your home is dry and you’re not drinking enough? A humidifier and a water glass, and you’re good.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Great thread @Joe Nerve !

 

[Jazzdogg]

Exact thing started happening to me in the winter about 10 years ago. Nothing worked until I started using this stuff:
View attachment 4954159

Eucerin makes the only sunscreen that doesn't burn if a little gets in my eyes; they seem to make very good products.

 

[Jazzdogg]

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.


View attachment 4954259

Grampa was a roofer until he retired in the late sixties - long before pneumatic nail guns were used by the trades - he faithfully used bag balm.

 

[DJ Bebop]

See a doctor!

I had exzema on my feet REALLY bad decades ago. I thought it was athlete's foot, treated it accordingly, and as a result after a few days I could barely walk the pain was so bad. Once the doc diagnosed it and I treated it PROPERLY it disappeared.

Don't come to TB for medical adive!

”I’m not a real doctor but when I decide to play one, it's always on TalkBass!"

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I have a friend with the same winter issue, he swears by this stuff:

 

[2thAche]

I didn't read any responses, but my advice would be to see a dermatologist rather than bunch of Neanderthal bass players.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I have a friend with the same winter issue, he swears by this stuff:

This is what I use . Have used it for decades.

 

[Boundary Effect]

If it has not been said, if you wash dishes use gloves. Dish soap sucks all the oil out of skin. For dry skin, I use Aquaphor.

 

[Luke the Fluke]

I used to work in a cafe and found anti bac spray or soap caused my fingers to split. Normal soap no problem.
Too much moisturiser actually stopped them healing. Keeping them dry helped more.

electrical tape is the magic tip to play bass. Tight enough the splits can’t open up

 

[juancaminos]

That happens to me as well. Use a good hand cream EVERYDAY!

When you do get a crack or split dab it with Triple Antibiotic Ointment and cover with a fabric type bandage. It will heal overnight or pretty close to it.

Edit to add: Wear gloves as often as feasible.