Split fingertips in cold weather?
 

For a few years now I suffer from this around this time of year,
it seems seasonal and takes the form of either tiny paper cuts at the rounded 'finger print' area and/or
splits in the skin alongside the white of the nail,

anyone have any tips on healing them quickly

(don't think washing prompts it) as much as handling things after the rain clothes/gates/door handles if that makes sense

washing doesnt help as cleaning your hands strips the natural oils

you have to use some kind of moisturizor/ balm in the winter

I used to have this problem when I worked as a driver in vending. The cardboard boxes dried my hands out, big time.

Try using hand cream with lanolin. At night, lather it on while you aren't doing anything with your hands.

Bag Balm also works wonders. Yes, it's for cow udders but it is awesome!!!!

The idea is to not let your hands become dried out. If you use hand sanitizer that can dry the hands as well.

I used New-Skin Liquid Bandage or something like it to seal the cut and then hand lotion.

I've been reading off tea tree oil although it can cause a rash apparently,

the normal moisturizers seem a preventative, but slow method of healing,

I do actually use a strong m/rizer anyway for excema as a teen, and cant quite see how taking a bath daily an year round and being immersed seems to do nothing, yet contact with outside moisture sets it off

cross post Glen,
how do those bandages work, I mean can you type for example or do you apply them for an hour and remove,

how?

I had a lot of trouble with cracked skin, especially around the nails. Dermatologist recommended "Prevex Protectant Cream" and I have not had a problem for years now. It is a barrier cream that should be applied before exposure to water, contaminants, etc. Also comes in a cortisone form but that would be for more serious skin issues.

Good luck!

ah thats interesting,

edited for obvious anomaly

Bag Balm or Emu Oil Lotion = great for dry skin.

The liquid "new skin" just dries and seals the cut. It feels like you have a small glob glue stuck on your finger. The tough part is to ignore it and not pick it off.

Oh I've been part 'superglue' for quite some time now, I don't mind ignoring that on my skin

Mebbe "Burt's Bees" has a product:
Burt's Bees - Natural Skin Care, Natural Beauty and Natural Personal Care Products

I sand the skin around the crack with an emery board. Or cut it off with a razor.

Tried that, didn't work for me.
I can protect it with a very sticky plaster for a day while it heals, but then I can' type on my blackberry as its my thumbs as often as not

What about those thin "finger rubber" thingies they sell at the drig store?

A heavy coating of Bag Balm, then put on a pair of latex gloves. Leave them on overnight.

You're hands will be dramatically better in the morning.

angela

I wouldn't put on the latex gloves over the balm... You want the skin to breath a little bit. We carry some gloves at the drugstore I work in that are just a very thin cotton. They are designed for this purpose and don't cost much. Go get a pair of them.....


I fight dry skin on the backs of my hands and knuckles every year. Its looking worse this year with all the climbing I have been doing. That chalk is a REALLY good drying agent...

What Sid sez, Bag Balm has menthol or camphor, something gives it that smell, under occlusion this could be bad Cotton gloves at night with vaseline, bag balm, something greasy. Get a few pairs, they are cheap and can get pretty funky.

Stay ahead of it, moisturize hands every time you wash them, and a few others, wear gloves.

I am told flaxseed oil capsules are helpful, take it daily.

I had similar problems when I lived in upstate NY. A trip to Singapore fixed it...

Vaseline at nite and cover with latex gloves. I use Krazy Glue when I get them. Takes at least two layers...dries...no pain...heals fine.

Bag Balm =

8-Hydroxy Quinoline

In a Petrolatum Lanolin base

When finger skin is cracked because of dehydration, like from handling too much cardboard, the slickest, quickest cure is.............corn husker's lotion. It's getting harder to find in drugstores, but can still be found at feed stores.

Bag balm is another thing that can be found at feed stores, and it works miracles on ladies' fingernails.

you need some Zim's Crack Cream:

Zim's Crack Creme® - Natural Skin Care Products That Really Work!

Exactly - it is not the lanolin doing the wonder. Bag balm is far superior to just vaseline or just lanolin. Try it. I would just put it on my hands at bed time, no gloves ...

G

The gloves keep it off the sheets.

I took a look at the aromatic compound in Bag Balm. It would probably give you a burn under occlusion, but it is good stuff. The corn husker lotion stuff is interesting, as there is no oil in it. Gold Bond ultimate healing lotion seems to work well, according to the little old ladies.

You will be more effective with lotion if you put it on when hands are moist.

I've had very good luck with Curel continuous comfort as of late. I've got to get a jump on the dry this year. The backs of my hands were burning earlier today from being so dry.

gosh so many of you and so many products,
Today I've applied a cold sore lip product called 'zovirax' which seemingly acts as a barrier cream,
I handle a lot of dry paper daily and I wonder if that might be making it worse,
doubt I'll find corn husker or any of the other brands mentioned,
here in the UK
but we keep horses and they probably have something in all their lotions and creams that might help, I know they have a preventative hoof cracking cream

Zovirax is an antiviral cream, probably pricey to use as emollient.

Look for products that have urea, salicylic or lactic acid about 10%.


Pop 'round to the chemist and ask the man behind the counter about it.

[QUOTE I know they have a preventative hoof cracking cream[/QUOTE]


BINGO!!!! It's probably about the same as Bag Balm. I'd send you our can but the dog needs it for his butt.























:D

I bought an awesome cream called "Working Hands" in the cleaner section at Lowes. Healed those splits in 3 days. It has salicylic acid and reminded me of Zovirax too

Had a GF once, had a chee wah wah named Taco whut was all ways lickin' his butt, drivin' her crazy.

I had an idear ta make him quit doin' thet. Even though he was Messican, that dawg hated hot sauce. So one day I snuk up behind Taco with a squeez bottle of it when he wuz eatin' an' gave him a squirt in the butt. I figgered thet sure wood stop him doin' it.

I dunno if it worked or not. Taco let out a whelp an' shot out thru the screen door like a rocket an' disappeared. I went an' looked fer the dawg, hopin' he hadn't strained hisself (the screen door wuz closed when he shot thru it), but never found him.

The GF wuz devystated an' really pissed at me! I felt tearable an' tried to make up with her by buying her a gift an' she threw me out thru thet same screen door.

I larned thet, however purty ya gift wrap it, don't never give yer GF, or prolly any woman, a jar of bag balm. :(