Tips for healing cracked hands / fingers?

[PortlandBass77]

So my hands / fingers have been badly cracked and dry for a month now. It started with one finger on my right hand but now has spread to both hands and most fingers.

//* To answer everyone's first question: I do not have the money to see a doctor as my insurance deductible is $4000... *//

I assume this to be due to the weird ass weather we've been having along with me working longer hours than previous years.

I have tried:
1. Standard lotion
2. Bandaging up my hands over night
3. Aloe vera gel
4. Oitment
5. Olive oil
6. Eating more potassium (bananas)

None have had any effect other than tempary pain relief. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[charlie monroe]

Some of the folks around here use udder cream.
It is marketed to dairy farmers. And no, I'm not kidding.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Some of the folks around here use udder cream.
It is marketed to dairy farmers. And no, I'm not kidding.

If I can find a place to buy it I'll try it

 

[INTP]

My hands get red/dry in the winter from cold dry air and washing my hands (trying not to catch colds). I use a petroleum jelly based lotion and it seems to help. Every time you wash your hands, though, you're removing the oils, so you have to reapply often.

I know a gymnast, and he's always having "rips' in his hands from the bar exercises. He and his teammates use specialized hand balm. You might try a looking for a "gymnastics salve" or "athlete's hand balm". Burt's Bees makes a hand salve, which might be easier to find.

"Ideally speaking, we all should wear gloves before going to bed. But I found out that would be a little interference with my social agenda...you know what I mean..."

 

[ONYX]

I've had this problem from time to time. It usually flares up after my hunting trips---I have a bad habit of not wearing gloves, even in the coldest weather.

The best stuff I've found ( for me) is Johnson's Baby Lotion--used liberally and frequently.

In extreme cases, I've resorted to this stuff:

Slather it on at night before bedtime and put on a pair of cotton gloves.

Also, try and stay away from harsh soaps and detergents (dish soap is really bad) and alcohol based hand sanitizers.

And---don't be like me----wear a decent pair of gloves if you're out and about in cold weather.

 

[cfsporn]

I like O'Keeffe's Working Hands

 

[electracoyote]

I live in Colorado, brutally dry winters.

Eucerin medicated lotion (the "intensive care/advanced" variety) every night at bedtime is the best thing I've used for both preventative and the first signs of cracking.

After the crack reaches a certain point, you're stuck with it until Mother Nature has her way, and you're now faced with topicals like Neosporin and Second Skin.

 

[Mktrat]

I like this stuff.....

Also, if you have real little ones, this stuff is amazing for diaper rash!!

 

[Atshen]

Do not wash your hands just before going out in the cold. It worked for me.

 

[Fleebag]

Water, h2o, agua. Drink lots, you're likely dehydrated.

 

[ashtray]

Humidifier in the room - run it nonstop, refill daily. Get one for each room you spend a lot of time in. It helps. Get one for work if you have an office. You will notice a difference.

Possibly shower less too? Oily skin won't dry out as easily. But keep hygienic.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

soak it in cider

 

[jmattbassplaya]

My girlfriend got me hooked on using almond oil and coconut oil for all of my dry skin. Both work great.

 

[blastoff99]

Try eliminating wheat from your diet. I had tried everything topical for my cracked bleeding hands and feet. A month wheat free and I was great.

 

[Fleebag]

My girlfriend got me hooked on using almond oil and coconut oil for all of my dry skin. Both work great.

+1 for liquid coconut oil. It's very good for your hair, scalp, beards and face too. I use it myself in my hair twice a week.

 

[skwee]

Lemon butter--Burt's Bees brand or go to a canoe/outdoors store--they should have something good.

 

[PortlandBass77]

My girlfriend got me hooked on using almond oil and coconut oil for all of my dry skin. Both work great.

Not a bad idea, hipsters love that stuff, I can get it easily.

Try eliminating wheat from your diet. I had tried everything topical for my cracked bleeding hands and feet. A month wheat free and I was great.

lol not going to happen. I'll stick with the cracked hands

soak it in cider

I think that counts as alcohol abuse

 

[PortlandBass77]

UPDATE:

I bought some of that cow udder bag balm stuff and left it on my hands overnight: my hands haven't felt this good in weeks! Granted they aren't completely healed, but they look a hell of a lot better and the pain is gone.