Ow! Cracked skin around my thumbs.

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
This happens to me every time the weather gets cold, and then through the winter. No matter how much I put lotion on my hands my skin cracks usually around my thumbs on the edges of the nail, but also sometimes around the other fingers, and even occasionally on my knuckles.

my hands aren’t immersed in water other than to wash them a few times through the day. It never happens during the summer. I’ve tried various OTC remedies for cracked skin. I’ve taken supplements, beyond what I normally take, to try and solve the problem from within. Nothing works.

Does anyone else experience this? If you do, have you found a solution?
 

Ronni said:
This happens to me every time the weather gets cold, and then through the winter. No matter how much I put lotion on my hands my skin cracks usually around my thumbs on the edges of the nail, but also sometimes around the other fingers, and even occasionally on my knuckles.

my hands aren’t immersed in water other than to wash them a few times through the day. It never happens during the summer. I’ve tried various OTC remedies for cracked skin. I’ve taken supplements, beyond what I normally take, to try and solve the problem from within. Nothing works.

Does anyone else experience this? If you do, have you found a solution?
Click to expand...
I live in a generally dry climate (tho this spring and summer were quite damp for here), but my cracked skin issue more severe in winter due to tending fire in wood stove. Usually by fingernails, most often on thumbs, but on inside of thumb joints and on other fingertips.
About 5 yrs ago discovered a cream called 'Udderly Smooth'. I apply most every time i wash hands in winter. Its greatly reduced how often i get cracks and heals them faster, when i do get them, than anything else i've tried.
 
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Ronni said:
This happens to me every time the weather gets cold, and then through the winter. No matter how much I put lotion on my hands my skin cracks usually around my thumbs on the edges of the nail, but also sometimes around the other fingers, and even occasionally on my knuckles.

my hands aren’t immersed in water other than to wash them a few times through the day. It never happens during the summer. I’ve tried various OTC remedies for cracked skin. I’ve taken supplements, beyond what I normally take, to try and solve the problem from within. Nothing works.

Does anyone else experience this? If you do, have you found a solution?
Click to expand...
Have you tried Vaseline?? Best stuff for that kind of thing.
 
The skin on my hands cracks but only in certain places. There is my left thumb but the right is OK. There is the heel of my right hand and between the fingers. Left is OK. During the day I only rinse my hands well and don't use hand soap. At night I use lotion.
 
Ronni said:
Does anyone else experience this? If you do, have you found a solution?
Click to expand...
I experienced that pretty bad in Colorado (also in Nebraska but less severely), and I asked my doctor once at an appointment, her response was to show me all her finger cracks.
Sometimes I had good results with the NexCare Skin Crack Care stuff, but it seems like after it dries out it makes the skin crack more, maybe a person is supposed to keep removing and reapplying it.
My best solution was the skin cream called 'Warm Skin'. It wasn't perfect but was better at avoiding the cracks than the other lotions I'd tried.
 
I learned the following from an old farmer back when I worked on the farm.

Take Vaseline or a product called “Bag Balm” and befor you go to bed, spread the product liberally all over your fingers. Put an old pair of socks on your hands and go to bed. In the morning, remove the socks, wash your hands with a mild soap like Ivory and after drying apply a good quality hand cream with oils in it. Also don’t forget to drink plenty of water in the winter. Air is dryer and with being in a heated home also contributes to dryness.

Bag Balm is a product we used on the farm to rub on a cow’s teats to keep them from freezing of becoming chapped.

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The only thing that works for me, and I’ve tried most of these products, is Yu-Be or YuskinA. I’d rub it into the cracks on my hand at bedtime. They‘re made in Japan and used to be sold in the US at Sephora. After they quit, I ordered online and can’t get either anymore in Canada. I have enough to last for a long time. It’s also the only product that works on my extremely cracked lips. It was recommended by a professional sax player.
 
Ronni said:
This happens to me every time the weather gets cold, and then through the winter. No matter how much I put lotion on my hands my skin cracks usually around my thumbs on the edges of the nail, but also sometimes around the other fingers, and even occasionally on my knuckles.

my hands aren’t immersed in water other than to wash them a few times through the day. It never happens during the summer. I’ve tried various OTC remedies for cracked skin. I’ve taken supplements, beyond what I normally take, to try and solve the problem from within. Nothing works.

Does anyone else experience this? If you do, have you found a solution?
Click to expand...
Yes, Ronni……I’m one that has that same problem. Not just the thumbs, all fingers. I try not to cut my nails too short which helps somewhat.
But…..as soon as cold weather starts.
Have tried endless kinds of oil, lotions, sauves, good ole Vaseline with gloves on at nite, and rose oil was suggested to me several times, still no relief.
My dad had the same problem.
Very annoying.
 
I like to put iodine on the cracks on my fingernails and also on other cuts that I get. There have been times that I have been amazed at how fast the cracks heal on me using iodine. My favorite lotion to use on my skin is pure Shea Butter. I will rub Shea Butter on my hands and let it soak in for a few minutes and then use a paper towel to rub off the excess on my skin.
 
Ronni, my hands can crack in the winter also. Especially when I worked full time. I have heard of people filling in the crack with lip balm or chap stick. I'd use Burt's Bees cuticle cream and rub it all over my hands. Get some of those gloves you can wear overnight. It really helps.hand cream.jpg
 
"Gold Bond Lotion for Diabetics." Diabetics tend to have dry skin, so it has extra moisturizers & I like the way it doesn't stay on the surface, so you can do things without getting it on everything. But, of course you have to reapply it after washing your hands.
They also make a great foot cream.
 
I swear by O'Keefs working hands. My heels crack, too in the winter and I use the Bag Balm on my feet after showering, followed by wearing a pair of socks. I must just remember to wear rubber gloves when washing dishes in hot water!
 
I also have problems with with my feet, the hands, were bad when I was taking care of my Mom. I washed my hands, it seemed like a hundred times of day back then.
 
the best thing I’ve found for the cracks I get on my thumbs is called Newskin liquid bandage. It looks and smells like clear nail polish and stings at first but it’s the best thing I’ve found for those little cracks. Seals them, no infection and they don’t hurt any more. Mine just started up a bit with the colder weather.
 
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