remedies for split fingertips?

[pybyr]

This time of year, and through the cold months between now and spring, I often run into situations where the ends of my fingertips (especially my thumbs) get so dry that they crack open along the lines of the fingerprints, which hurts, and looks like heck

I’ve tried various things which all help _some_ (taking cod liver oil, various greasy remedies applied on the hands) but wonder if anyone has any other tried and true ways of avoiding this or helping to stem it once it starts.

I recall once running across some kind of reference to a supposedly medically-legitimate product which supposedly would even let you glue your cuts or split fingers shut, but now I can’t recall what it was or how to find my way back to it without wading & weeding around through irrelevant false leads on the www

ideas appreciated on things you've found that work

thanks

 

[Burn1]

Are you thinking of Liquid Band-Aid? :question:

(broken image removed)

 

[pinewoodburner]

Are you thinking of Liquid Band-Aid? :question:

(broken image removed)

I did not have much luck with the bandaid stuff.

Liquid skin words good, you can get it at the drugstore.

Use cotton gloves in the winter or a cotton liner in a leater glove. The leather takes the moisute right out, so does soap.

Got to use hand lotion like 4 times a day. That cracked skin hurts like you know what.

 

[Frxdy]

Don't cringe, the answer is Super Glue. The first time I was told about it I said "You're nuts!". I phoned Poison Control & asked. They said "As long as it's not actively bleeding, it's perfectly safe". Now I use it all the time. I prefer "Crazy Glue" brand. The glue is the same, but they have the container down pat. A teeny tiny drop in the crack, pinch it shut for 10 seconds, pain gone. Also, the crack heals in a few days instead of a week. I use a piece of paper towel & dob up any excess, but with care, there isn't any. Be very careful applying, ONCE I must have dripped a drop and glued two of my fingers together. Not fun! Only acetone will cut it (fingernail polish remover). It took Q-tips and 15 minutes to get unstuck.

 

[kenny chaos]

Crack cream, bag balm, okeefe's working hands, udder butter, or super glue.

 

[savageactor7]

I just put chap stick on my fingers too.

 

[LLigetfa]

Sand down your fingertips so the skin isn't so thick. It will promote new skin to grow and the thinner skin will be more flexible taking the focus off the cracks. I little zinc ointment promotes faster healing.

 

[kenny chaos]

I just put chap stick on my fingers too.

Speaking of chap stick, the best thing for chapped lips is to rub a little horse manure on them. No, of course it won't heal them but it will stop most people from licking them. :gulp:

 

[myzamboni]

Dermabond is the medical grade superglue.

Not a solution, but I know an old Italian buy that's done concrete forever and to aid in skin crack prevention he soaks his hands in olive oil every night.

 

[pybyr]

Don't cringe, the answer is Super Glue. The first time I was told about it I said "You're nuts!". I phoned Poison Control & asked. They said "As long as it's not actively bleeding, it's perfectly safe". Now I use it all the time. I prefer "Crazy Glue" brand. The glue is the same, but they have the container down pat. A teeny tiny drop in the crack, pinch it shut for 10 seconds, pain gone. Also, the crack heals in a few days instead of a week. I use a piece of paper towel & dob up any excess, but with care, there isn't any. Be very careful applying, ONCE I must have dripped a drop and glued two of my fingers together. Not fun! Only acetone will cut it (fingernail polish remover). It took Q-tips and 15 minutes to get unstuck.

great idea, thanks. the active ingredient in all those things is cyanoacrylate, if I am remembering it correctly, and I probably am not spelling it correctly, which, I think I recall, works by hardening when it is in a close space without air. so I am going to go get some crazy glue, and then a poly sandwich bag (to which no glue I know of will adhere) as a "glove" for my other hand and to cover/ cause hardening

 

[Gooserider]

great idea, thanks. the active ingredient in all those things is cyanoacrylate, if I am remembering it correctly, and I probably am not spelling it correctly, which, I think I recall, works by hardening when it is in a close space without air. so I am going to go get some crazy glue, and then a poly sandwich bag (to which no glue I know of will adhere) as a "glove" for my other hand and to cover/ cause hardening

I've never had a problem w Crazy glue, etc. setting up in air. I think you may be thinking of thread locking compound - totally different stuff. I've never tried the crazy glue treatment myself, but I have heard it mentioned elsewhere from pretty legitimate sources.

Gooserider

 

[Frxdy]

"a poly sandwich bag as a “glove” for my other hand " Yup, well, that's good for the other hand, the fingers I glued together where on the same hand as the crack! I was holding my hand in such a way that it dripped to fingers under the cracked finger. Ha! When you squeeze the crak together for 10 seconds, the glue in the crack hardens, not any glue on the surface. The paper towel dobs that off. (but be quick or you get a paper towel patch, which sometimes isn't a bad thing)

 

[sleepie]

shea butter from avon----excellent on dry skin

 

[Burn1]

I just put chap stick on my fingers too.

Speaking of chap stick, the best thing for chapped lips is to rub a little horse manure on them. No, of course it won't heal them but it will stop most people from licking them. :gulp:

Now that's funny right there! :lol:

 

[karri0n]

the Nu-skin, which the band-aid company (Johnson and Johnson I believe) either bought out or ripped off and made their liquid bandage from, is nothing more than super glue with a different type of applicator.

 

[Czech]

Super glue, dermabond (human), there's one for pets also in which the name escapes me, one for RC planes usually referred to as 'Hot' something. All cyanoacrylate based glues. Yes, they work well for superficial lesions, just be careful. Try a small spot first to make sure you don't react.

 

[KevinM]

Had bad problems when I was giving insulin injections to my cat and changing diapers on my son since both involved extra hand washing.

I use this to moisturize my hands. http://www.spectroskincare.com/eczema_care_rehydration_cream.aspx

And this for cleaning http://www.spectroskincare.com/dry_sensitive_skin_derm.aspx

Dermatologist gave a long list of possible triggers but each person is different and I would need to figure out which ones affected me and which treatment works.

Kevin.

 

[Biglumber]

Try neutrogena hand cream. The type that requires you to have your hands wet before you put it on. Then use nitrile gloves under any gloves you may be using. That might help.
I used that melted gulf wax mixed with baby oil when my tips got really bad. They would crack and make it look like I had an amino acid complex.

Peace

 

[homebrewz]

Anything hand creme with shea butter in it. For heavy-duty working hands, around here everyone seems to use bag-balm. Originally developed for
cow's udders, so the story goes.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Do not touch woodstove ash with your hands! That is a prime cause this time of year.

Wear gloves. Use bag-balm at night.

 

[Woodrat]

- -Neutragena hand cream " Norwegian formula" works well for me in daytime-- sinks in quickly- seems to leave a waxy feeling to the skin for protection------ at night I use A& D ointment ( but it's "greasy")

- -Woodrat

 

[CowboyAndy]

i've been trying the vasoline clinical strength and it works okay. mine get really dry and cracked too, i dont mind but my wife does! my hands and feet are like velcro to our comforter on our bed!

 

[lass442]

http://www.americarx.com/admin/ARXPRODUCTIMAGES/Cimages/CornHuskersLotion/103663.jpg

Corn Huskers Lotion.

 

[Frxdy]

Any and all lotions are of little good in my opinion. If you want to put something on use "gloves in a bottle". Simply, it keeps the bad stuff out and keeps your natural moisture in. If used twice a day you'll have good skin and it'll stay that way. Even if not used regularly, if applied before doing a nasty job it does an amazing job at keeping crud from absorbing into your skin & wreaking havoc on your skin.

 

[jebatty]

Had really bad split fingertips 3 years ago, then tried Gold Bond Lotion. Splits healed quickly. Now use it regularly as a preventative. So far no more splits.