O/T Dry Cracked Hands

John B. · Dec 10, 2010

This is unbelievable but I found a way to cure my cracked fingers and hands during the winter months. I noticed that they would start cracking 15-20 minutes after I would get a chill down the back of my neck and back. So I started wearing turtle neck T-shirts with long sleeves, hooded sweatshirts. This keeps the cold air off my head and neck. I also put a towel around my neck when I walk out of the shower. I know everyone is going to think I'm nuts but I've been doing this since 1996 and thought this is a great place to share it with everyone. I started by being aware of when I got chilled and took action. I haven't used lotion on my hands since then. It works for me!! Hope this will help some one else out there.

hayray · Dec 10, 2010

Thanks for the tip. Your right, sounds a little out there. The more I wear gloves the better my hands. Deer skin gloves with lotion on my hands helps.

Nebraska Cowman · Dec 10, 2010

I don't have trouble with my hands since I quit milking cows. But my feet crack open and bleed.

Fergus · Dec 10, 2010

Interesting theory, can"t argue with success. My best remedy, especially after the fact, is Neo-sporin + (jelly base, not the cream). Those stupid little cracks can hurt like hell, and they always occur right on the working surfaces of your hands, get in the way of everything you do. The Neo stuff with the topical aneshetic included makes "em feel better right now, and the petroleum jelly base works in advance to prevent the cracks.

Bret4207 · Dec 10, 2010

Bag Balm.

BCnT · Dec 10, 2010

glad you found something that works for you...doesnt get super cold here in s Tx but my hands dry out and crack too...been using Corn Huskers lotion for more years than i care to remember and it works as long as i put it on first thing in the morning.

showcrop · Dec 10, 2010

Well, I suppose if it works,,,, My hands used to be in water all the time in the work that I used to do. I used Corn Huskers Lotion.

sd pete · Dec 10, 2010

I agree on the bag balm. Use it on my feet and hands.

bjb in TX from Ne · Dec 10, 2010

1. Anytime your hands are wet, dry them very well, even between the base of the fingers. If the hand towel is damp enough to notice, get another one out.

2. Check you humidity level in the house, ESPECIALLY if you have a wood stove. Within a day of arriving back home in Nebraska, my hand start bleeding b/c the humidifier wasn't turned on. As soon as the humidity gets back up, they are fine the rest of the holidays.

IOWA NORTHEAST · Dec 10, 2010

When I was a child the corn huskers worked ok, but we started using plain ol lard, and it worked better on the dairy farm. We also replaced the bag balm for cow udders with lard, manure would not stick to them as bad either.

That being said, a friend of mine that is a mason says the best they have found on their crew is once it cracks open, use super glue to glue it back together. He claims it is heaven sent.

I mean no disrespect at all, but I'm not so sure the neck, and hands thing are related, but nothing is imposible, I would almost bet their are other factors overlooked.

Samuel L Bontregger · Dec 10, 2010

I used the Bag Baum once but it made my underware smell really bad!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crem · Dec 10, 2010

IOWA NORTHEAST,

When they crack open they sure do hurt. I have been using the super glue for years now to hold the cracks together and then the pain goes away. Since I have retired my hands have become a little more pansy at times and they don't crack as much.

Brian G. NY · Dec 10, 2010

Neosporin is great stuff; I believe it does help wounds heal noticebly faster.
However, for those annoying little cracks on the fingers that hurt like h311, I find that applying super-glue directly to them to be the best medicine. It seals the cracks right up, stops the pain immediately and they will heal under the glue.
Works for me!

DoubleR · Dec 10, 2010

Mine finally quit cracking when I started using Eucerin Intensive Repair. I buy it at Rite Aid and its not cheap. Cost about 13 bucks for a 16.9 Oz bottle. It works for me. I would use neosporne on the cracks with a band aid over it when they did crack open.

dbernie · Dec 10, 2010

Whatever works.
It is painful.
I've never tried it, but I heard one old cure was to actually pee on your hands on a daily basis. Could just be an old tale, but maybe it works.

Anyway, whatever works.
I used that udder balm when I was outdoor work alot.

State of Jefferson · Dec 10, 2010

I dunno how far their distribution reaches, but here on the west coast, there is a product called "Working Hands Cream". Can't be beat. Daughter of a dairy farmer developed it because her dad's hands were always split and bleeding.

Ben

Mike (WA) · Dec 10, 2010

Working Hands Cream is the one I was trying to think of. Supposed to be great. Here's the link.
Working Hands Cream

greenbeanman in Kansas · Dec 10, 2010

I was a city letter carrier for about 15 years and generally worked without gloves in order to handle the mail bundles easier, i.e. sorting between fingers, etc.

I used super glue until I learned of New Skin, a liquid bandage. Stings for only a short while.

St. Ives, Swiss Formula hand lotion worked better for me than others. Less sting upon applying to cracked and bleeding fingers, and less of a greasy or sticky feeling compared to others.

Many say if your hands and/or feet are cracking you are not drinking enough water each day. Not sure that I agree with that at all.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 10, 2010

I went to TSC last night after hearing an add on the radio yesterday about a very good hand product. It's called "Outdoor Hands" and I got me a tube of it to try, its sorta pricey at $10.00 a tube, just started using it last night, maybe somebody else has used it and can report on whether it works or not.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 10, 2010

we sell udder balm --it is the best and half cost of other products

Geo-TH,In · Dec 10, 2010

Next time, try putting it on your hands

Nancy Howell · Dec 10, 2010

Since lotions are used mostly by women, the mftrs add a nice "scent". Its the scent that causes the sting when lotion is applied to a cut or cracked place.

In addition to what's been recommended here, I would try a good facial moisturizer like Lubriderm or Cetaphil. They are designed to moisturize. They don't have artificial scents added and the skin will absorb them really fast.

WA-Hal · Dec 10, 2010

I also have trouble with the skin on my toes cracking in Winter. What works best for me is to rub Vaseline into my feet and toes with my hands, which helps the hands at the same time. I have done that for years. It makes it a little hard to put socks on right afterwards though.

Tom in Iowa City · Dec 10, 2010

John,

I have year-round eczema. It has gotten so bad of late that my dermatologist put me on prednisone for 15 days.
Here are two creams that he recommends:
1. Eucerin Plus.
2. Cera Ve moisturizing cream by Coria Laboratories.

Good luck,
Tom

Steven-Id · Dec 12, 2010

I am a diabetic, just before I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic I would drink massive quantities of water every day. I didn't link the two together but my hands were softer then than now. When I got my sugar level where it should be I don't drink near the water as before so there probably is some truth to that. Now I use Carmex, the salve for cold sores. It softens things up pretty good. Steven

O/T Dry Cracked Hands

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