Weird question. But I gotta know...

[roller]

A good moisturizing soap for daily shower and bath use. Dove for Men has a bunch of great ingredients.

And when out of the shower, a regular application of lotion to the hands and feet works wonders. I use Gold Bond Ultimate Healing.

Any and all thoughts welcome. Thanks.

 

[Richard_K]

Hi Joe. I agree, playing with bandages is no fun. From the looks of this thread, many of us have the problem. I have tried and used most of the moisturizers already mentioned. Most have helped but when used alone, I would still get cracks in really cold weather. The additional step that has made a big difference for me is to remove the dead skin ongoingly, in the areas that are prone to cracking. Seems like there are the same spots on finger or thumb tips where the skin thickens. Removing dead layers (carefully) with a toe-nail clipper or sandpaper after a shower when skin is soft keeps the skin thin and flexible in the crack-prone areas. With this additional step, the moisturizers have a chance.

 

[BOOG]

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.

I tend to get similar problems in the winter time but yours sounds a little more severe. Not recommending for others but my method is healthy coating of Palmers cocoa butter before sleep, light Neosporin on open cracks and no bandages unless while playing unless it’s a legitimate wound and needed. The cocoa butter seems to recover/heal for my skin.ymmv

 

[scott sinner]

Tl;dr….moisturize!

I never had anything really dramatic like an actual break in the skin from normal stuff and bass, but I started taking a lot better care of my hair as I grew it out under the excuse of the pandemic. Part of my hair routine, after trying a few things to keep my hair from tangling was adding Jojoba oil. I have rather thick hair with enough curl that Id wake up to a painful brushing otherwise.

Relevant side effect, my hands were a lot more moisturized every day from brushing my flowing luxurious hair out of the way. I noticed I was no longer getting those itchy scrape marks from woodworking or similar. I suspect my hands were either healing faster or maybe somehow more resistant in the first place. I dk for sure, but there dont seem other plausible variables.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

Sometimes if I get a small cut on a finger, I find it helps to soak it in cider…

 

[StereoPlayer]

So easy, even a caveman could do this.

 

[DRBP]

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

wasn’t gonna reply to this thread but will now. take it with a grain of salt but the first two letters of my handle actually stand for something…. there have been many good suggestions here. micguy is absolutely right about bringing up the humidity in the house.(a humidifier in bedroom/sleeping room can really help with this since most people are there for at least 7 or 8 hours a day- not all i know, i know) however, not everybody stays in their house 24/7 so some other strategies are needed. lanolin (main ingredient in bag balm or udder balm) is awesome for this. it will help cracks heal but is also great to just keep applying daily to prevent them. this particular bag balm is sulfurated which makes it a bit smelly so use at nite. it is also one of the things that makes it work really well. any lanolin is helpful. ceraVe (which is not petroleum based by the way) is a great product to use during the day, esp for those who have to wash hands a lot. it relies on ceramides (hence the name) to help maintain the hydration in the skin. petrolatum products can work too. sometimes you do just have to find what works for you. there certainly isn’t one right answer as everyone’s skin is a little different and responds a little differently to the various treatments. either way, cracked skin in the winter really sucks and especially so if it is on the fingers you play your instrument with! best of luck, i hope you are able to find help from the many good suggestions in this thread!

 

[BAG]

Plenty of good recommendations.
To add to those, and just in case it doesn't heal quick enough, make sure you have one of these and know how to use it.....

 

[roadyboy]

I've tried Okeefes, bag balm, nu skin. While they provided some relief, they didn't cure the problem. I stumbled upon Triple Paste for diaper rash. I use a very thin coat at bedtime around my cuticles and fingertips.
It is kind of greasy, but it really stays on. One 3 oz. tube has lasted me for years. Do yourself a favor, it really works. I work outdoors in the winter and suffered for years.
AmazonSmile: Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash, Hypoallergenic - 2 oz (Pack of 1) : Baby
If it's good enough for a baby's butt, it's good enough for my fingertips.

 

[roccobass]

Wow! Thought it was just me that had this issue every year when cold dry weather hits.

Usually I can see it coming and bandaid my fingers asap and keep them on all day unless I’m playing bass or showering. I do put a small bit of lotion on it too before the bandage. I go through quite a few this time of year. It usually heals in a few days. You must get it far worse than me. Good luck buddy. I’ve seen some pretty good suggestions so far here.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I keep a tube of triple antibiotic ointment right next to my chair. I use it often. Just a tiny dab on the crack or sore.

 

[MdC64]

I fill the cracks on my finger tips (plucking hand) with liquid bandaid ( several coats to seal the crack) and use a musicians practice glove. At bedtime I coat my hands with working hands and Aquaphor and wear a cotton glove ( found at most drugstores).
Within a couple days the cracks heal and I’m good for a week or two then usually start the process again if cracks resurface.
I also wear those little finger tip covers to protect the area along with gloves if working in garage or outside

 

[Fat Freddy]

Sorry Joe....But I'm still a source of stupid.....and as we all know..............

 

[Jjacks651]

Not so much strengthening, but conditioning…Gardeners Hand Repair
Gardener's Hand Repair

For healing situations, there’s also A&D ointment, then I use that stretchy, clingy gauze bandage stuff to contain it.

Also Bag Balm or Crack Cream, and yes, they are real things.

John

 

[Indiana Mike]

That's precisely what this is made for
View attachment 4954145

This works, yes it does!
Are there other products that do as well? I’m sure there are

Okeefs works

 

[lokikallas]

How is your setup? Maybe you should try lighter gauge strings? Nickel strings are nice. I recommend sunbeams.

 

[mikewalker]

Moisturizer morning and night has saved my skin. I had cracking, peeling, flaking terrible skin for FORTY YEARS... no amount of steroid prescriptions or OTC would touch it. Official diagnosis "sebborheic dermatitis - sorry but there is no cure".

Last year my wife discovered this Riversol moisturizer, and I ordered the absolutely free sample pack: and before the pack was finished, my lifetime skin affliction was CURED.

All I needed was a good moisturizer!!! Been using it religiously for the past year... will continue!

 

[J-Bass RMR]

i'd definitely consult a derm --- there are prescription-level products that heal the skin pretty fast and effectively

^^^
I think the aging process can have a lot to do with it.
The side of my thumb split last month - that's never happened before.
(I'm not a thumb player) Was using neosporine, but it split again.
My wife put some Mupirocin Ointment on it her Dr. prescribed to her. It seem to work better.

I dislike lotions and have never used them. Might have to re-think that.

edit; that stuff better not be some feminine product she tricked me with!

 

[shodan]

I've been using this for both hand cracks and foot callous' for years. Apply at night and put on cotton gloves over it.
Badger Balm - For Dry Hands and Cracked Fingers | Badger Balm – BADGER

 

[jtg]

Also:
The original Eucerine that comes in a tub is great.
So is straight up lanolin 100% pure, available on amazon. Good enough for sheep, good enough for us.
Both very persistent. Also good for taint chafe.
Also consider wearing nitrile mechanics gloves outside in the cold to retain moisture.