cracked fingers

[hortonstn]

not sure where this topic goes but here goes
when working with maple it seems the wood pulls the moisture out of my fingers making them crack
and bleed
any one got a recommendation I can't stand gloves ive tried  o'keeffes working hands lotion
doesn't seem to be the answer
any ideas
paul

[iloco]

Bag Balm should do it.
http://www.bagbalm.com/

[Bob Roller]

Bag Balm should do it.
http://www.bagbalm.com/

not sure where this topic goes but here goes
when working with maple it seems the wood pulls the moisture out of my fingers making them crack
and bleed
any one got a recommendation I can't stand gloves ive tried  o'keeffes working hands lotion
doesn't seem to be the answer
any ideas
paul

I had a friend who was in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944* and both hands were frozen
badly.After he got home a friend recommended Bag Balm,a product used by dairy
farmers and it worked for him. Any farm supply/hardware store should have it.
I think it has a high lanolin content and can't hurt by trying it.
*He said the cold was a bigger threat than Tiger Tanks which could be avoided.

Bob Roller

[iloco]

All the local Dairy farms use it on cows teats after taking milkers off so the teats will not crack and get sore.
 I have used it when out in the cold and my hands would dry and crack.  It does work.

[flinchrocket]

Corn Huskers Lotion is what I use, doesn't make your hands feal greasy.

[sqrldog]

For the cracks you already have particularly the ones to the quick that hurt the worst before you grease up glue the ceacks togew with a good grade of thin super glue. Also works for those aggravating heel cracks due to cold weather. Just be sure they are clean and dry before gluing. Got this from a dermatologist friend. Tim

[Dennis Glazener]

I vote for the super glue, works great for me. My dad who was a mechanic and washed his hands in diesel fuel (of all things) always swore by mutton tallow. I thought it stunk but he used it when he could find it.
Dennis

[dogcatcher]

I had the same problem from shuffling papers.  I bought Udder Cream at CVS Pharmacy. 

[Daryl]

Once the fingers and especially the thumbs are cracked, CA will seal and help heal them. Word of caution, do NOT use kicker.

Good CA can be found in hobby stores where they sell balsa wood plane and boat kits.

I always keep thin and medium CA's in the shop, for sealing up cracks & splits in my fingers during the winter time.

Careful - it will glue your fingers together if you get it between them. That won't be comfortable.

[Nate McKenzie]

Another vote for super glue. Also a product called New Skin available in drug stores.

[FALout]

O'Keeffe's working hands cream works really good

[smart dog]

Hi Paul,
If your hands are already cracked and bleeding , Burt's Bees Res-Q ointment applied twice a day will heal them up in a 2-3 days.

dave

[MAC57]

Bag Balm

[David R. Pennington]

I work outside a lot in winter have same problem. The O Keefs stuff helps some as a preventative, but you have to remember to use it . New skin and super glue works. I try to wear gloves as much as I can. When they get real bad I do this: grease my hands HEAVILY with vaseline and put a pair of cotton socks over them before I go to bed. Really helps.

[bob in the woods]

+++ for the super glue. It's a standard component of my first aid kit now. Bag Balm works, but I make my own bear oil, which is absolutely fabulous . 

[coopersdad]

I do like David R but use bag balm and socks or light cotton gloves on my hands overnight. Keeps the stuff wet and off everything, it will stain. 

[Old Ford2]

Thank you all!
I never thought of asking a question such as the OP.
I have the same problem, fingers & heels.
Here I find the answer! Thank you!
What a great site!
Fred

[WadePatton]

Bag Balm should do it.
http://www.bagbalm.com/

Tried it.  Do not like Bag Balm. I tried substituting it for lanolin (lost my jar). I find it greasy and don't get near the relief that I'm used to, and have to reapply more often.

I MUCH prefer pure lanonlin.  Lanolin is my cold and dry weather skin solution, for years. A little dab will do you. Zero petrol or chemicals, just the soft wax of the wool.  Some say that some brands smell "strong".  Maybe they do, never been a problem for me. Pure Lanolin.

Here's the brand I've been using. Smells like lanolin to me. A bit like the vet's office, because lanolin is the base of many ointments and such. I really think it's great-far superior to Bag Balm.

Also, Lanolin has been around since the domestication of sheep. It was used to protect metals at sea when sails powered the fleets. A very long history goes with lanolin. And some folks 'round here are into that sort of thing. 

appears to be available everywhere:



Nevermind the little "drop" on the label, it's a solid hunk of goodness just a little bit thicker than your average petroleum jelly, until it's warmed by your hands.

[little joe]

Mechanic all my life and retired now. I use Vicks salve when every thing failed, perscription and home treatments alike.

[Turtle]

 My wife swears by "Working Hands" cream. my hardware stocks it.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Normally, my thumbs check and bleed when I'm working stocks in the winter.  But this winter, my thumbs have healed and I don't bleed all over the nice maple.  A friend of mine owns a bison ranch on the outside of town, and his wife made soap using bison tallow, lye and water.  Cleans the skin really well, and leaves my hands soft and moist without feeling greasy.  I should write a commercial.

[hortonstn]

Thanks for the great advice
Paul

[Gun_Nut_73]

I use New Skin to seal cracks in skin, and Aloe Vera gel to soothe the skin.  Aloe Vera gel also costs a lot less than many of the other suggestions.

[leoparddog]

You can get pure lanolin by the pint off of fleabay.  My patch lube is bees wax+lanolin+olive oil.  When I leave the range for the day my hands are sooo soft. 

[elkhorne]

Always great ideas on this site! Use to use Udder Cream from Wallyworld but a friend put of mine put me onto Cornhuskers Lotion and it works better than anything else I have tried and no greasy residue after it absorbs into you skin. The deficit I found with Udder Cream is that it will burn the fire out of your eyes if you wipe across them even several hours later.
I love hearing about using the superglue for cracks in fingers and heels during the winter. Just got a good gash in my finger about an 1/8 inch deep last week and the PA at out Quickcare used a stuff called Dermabond to seal it up and it has lasted about a week. It is more rubbery than the superglue like most of us use but still good to have in an emergency first aid kit.
elkhorne