Splits in fingers - a cure ?

UKworkshop.co.uk

Help Support UKworkshop.co.uk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

RogerS

Established Member
Joined
20 Feb 2004
Messages
17,921
Reaction score
276
Location
In the eternally wet North
I can't recall (and searching has failed me) which forum I mentioned this on a long time ago but I do recall quite a few suffering as well.

Up until this year, as winter drew near and/or I was spending a lot of time in the workshop in the cold, I used to get nasty little splits on my thumbs. Some folk used superglue, I used to tape them shut with Micropore tape.

However, not this year :D

I've been taking daily doses of a zinc/copper tablet from Cytoplan to cure the horizontal ridges I was getting in my thumb nails. They've now gone. But also have those splits.

Correlation ? Coincidence ? Dunno...I'm just passing on this tip to those similarly afflicted to give it a try.
 
Certainly could be a mineral deficiency that was making your skin prone to splitting. Glad it has cleared up whatever the cause though as I have helped family members with this problem and know it can be very painful. We used superglue which worked well to treat them but prevention is better than cure.

Regular moisturising we found was very effective. Every night, and I do mean every night before bed, a nice dose of diprobase rubbed well into the hands. Still didn't stop them totally but reduced them considerably
I do this routine myself as well as I suffer from cuticle problems otherwise.
If you are worried about getting the grease everywhere, a pair of white cotton gloves will help.
 
Germolene 'New Skin' works for me. It needs renewing every few days but it allows the skin to grow under its protection. My persistent split has cured completely - until it comes again!
Brian
 
Generic aqueous cream as used in the NHS is very good; cheap, available from any pharmacy and ridiculously cheap from Aldi if they have any. It works brilliantly for me although it does wash off easily.
Duncan
 
Duncan A":1hsnd4a6 said:
Generic aqueous cream as used in the NHS is very good; cheap, available from any pharmacy and ridiculously cheap from Aldi if they have any. It works brilliantly for me although it does wash off easily.
Duncan

Aqueous cream is good but as you say it washes off easily (hence why it is an excellent soap substitute for those with sensitive skin), that's why I prefer diprobase, also very cheap.
 
I've just started using superglue gel this year. Wish I'd discovered it years ago as I have suffered terribly with this every winter. You don't realise that you actually stub your thumb into something about a thousand times a day until you have a really painful split in it.
 
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula. Does my window cleaner hands in winter months with hands in buckets of water all day when it's really harsh. I don't usually bother.
I also use it if I'm plastering/rubbing down/(diy not wood) sanding constantly...When that sucks the moisture right out of your skin to the point of discomfort I buy a tube of this. I can't stand that feeling in your fingers when the tips seize up.
 
I will try the vitamins, if it works that would be great. I too suffer from unexplained and sudden splits. I usually superglue them closed as the exposed nerves are darn painful.

I use PR88 to keep everything apart from water based products off my hands. I’ve been using it for about five years and it’s the best ‘liquid’ gloves I’ve ever found. Doesn’t transfers to what your handling. Lasts until you wash it off. There used to be a promo video with a chap stood in bare feet in a vat of hydraulic acid and his hands in sulphuic acid with bits of metal fizzling around to prove how resilient it is.

http://www.pr88.com/pr-products/pr88-Sk ... tion-Cream
 
After wearing wellies every day for three weeks my heels were in a right state recently. Big, deep, jagged bleeding fissures. Gave up with those namby pamby foot graters so I went out to the garage at 11.45pm and experimented. Random orbit sander was effective, but the vibration tickled too much. Belt sander with 80grit was excellent, but still took 20 minutes to get down to soft skin. Next time I may try a flap disk in an angle grinder.

I'm too busy for pedicures.
 
I laughed out loud
Especially as it was 1145pm. IM imagining the neighbours saying 'whats that noise'? Oh its just Mark belt sanding his feet again. Hats off to you sir!
Cheers Mark

Mark A":3offu1jg said:
After wearing wellies every day for three weeks my heels were in a right state recently. Big, deep, jagged bleeding fissures. Gave up with those namby pamby foot graters so I went out to the garage at 11.45pm and experimented. Random orbit sander was effective, but the vibration tickled too much. Belt sander with 80grit was excellent, but still took 20 minutes to get down to soft skin. Next time I may try a flap disk in an angle grinder.

I'm too busy for pedicures.
 
Back
Top