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Here's to Your Health:  Cracked Hands  |
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FlipFlopFarmer
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Carla
Molalla
Oregon
198 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:16:11 AM
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I know I'm not the only farmgirl out there with this problem and I'm hoping someone has a remedy because I've tried just about everything! My hands are cracking to point that they are bleeding.
I wear gloves 99.9% of the time when I'm outside whether it's just to walk to the bus stop of feed hay or whatever. When I'm cleaning, I've got my hot pink rubber gloves on so I'm protecting them the best I can.
I've tried lotions, balms, and even tried lathering them up with jojoba oil and wearing cotton gloves to bed (which drives me crazy). I also tried my homemade "bag balm" recipe that has olive oil, beeswax and vit E., comfrey....etc...
Anyone out there have the same problem and found something that works?
 Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:20:19 AM
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I have a real problem with my fingers cracking along the sides of my nails...at the ends..you know what I mean. I have tried about everything. It really hurts!!! A friend told me that she uses liquid bandage (available near the bandaids at the grocery store) to close up the cracks..looks and feels like crazy glue...and that it really helped. When she saw my hands she brought some over for me (she has a big stockpile she found on sale I guess) and you know, it does help!! I would never have thought of it. By the time it wears off the crack is usually healed..if not you can apply more.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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FlipFlopFarmer
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Carla
Molalla
Oregon
198 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:25:08 AM
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I tried the liquid band-aid stuff and it burned. Although it wasn't the "band-aid" brand. What kind is it that you have?
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:32:28 AM
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Carla, I highly recommend Missy's herbal hand salve. She is Lamarguerite Farm here and she also has an etsy site. Let me try to link. Nope, can't figure it out. But, it is a wonderful product that healed my problem hands.
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
www.ragstoroses.blogspot.com
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:42:16 AM
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Have this problem all the time when I work outside in the winter...it's a fact of life on the wet coast!
Tried and true...honey. Will heal a split/crack overnight...guaranteed and will even help expel a sliver.
Di
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elah
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Emily
SW
Michigan
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 11:51:50 AM
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| I don't know what it's called but we always use the "stuff" in the green tin cans with cow on it. I already packed mine away for the move so I can not look to see what it's called. When my hands are really bad I'd put it on really thick right before bed and just wash the bedding and my pjs in the morning. |
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FlipFlopFarmer
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Carla
Molalla
Oregon
198 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 11:55:11 AM
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Emily - that's bag balm that you're talking about.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 11:58:24 AM
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Nextcare liquid bandage is the brand I use.
Honey...now that is a new one (or probably an OLD one!! ) I am so amazed at all the things honey is good for..and yummy too! I will have to try that one too!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 12:19:05 PM
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Carla, have you considered a sensitivity to the rubber gloves? Maybe try to find some cloth gloves dipped in rubber so that you have that barrier between you and the rubber. I know a number of people, myself included, who cannot wear rubber gloves. My Grandpa had a HUGE supply of rubber dipped cloth gloves because pretty much everyone int he family had an allergy and when we went to the famr we had to help with something, especially if we were going to go riding...and that something usually meant mucking someone's pen out. HA HA!
All of my gardening gloves are rubber dipped, that way my hands stay dry and mostly clean, I have a grip, and I don't break out, get cracked, dried etc.
I second the honey as well..,..that stuff is just amazing!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com
http://tasharose365.wordpress.com/
Homepage: http://mysticwoodsfarm.com |
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FlipFlopFarmer
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Carla
Molalla
Oregon
198 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 12:54:25 PM
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I hadn't thought of the rubber glove thing. Good point. Are rubber dipped cotton gloves available just about anywhere? I don't know that I've ever seen such a thing.
With the honey, I'm sure store bought would be okay but I bet raw would be even better. Wish it wasn't winter and I could rob a little from my bees. Gee I hope they are doing okay. I can't open the hive right now as it's too cold so it'll just be a surprise in the spring to see how well they made it through the winter.
Carla
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
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cmandle
True Blue Farmgirl
846 Posts
Catherine
Minneapolis
MN
846 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 7:30:13 PM
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Oh I'm so glad that Luzy pointed me over here (just posted about this very topic in "herbal wisdom"). Jenny, that's EXACTLY what happens to me, totally hurts! I'm going to check out Missy's stuff now and will of course try the honey (just a little under a regular bandage or what? how do you keep it from getting all over stuff?).
But here's another question, while these tips can heal the cracks, is there anything to PREVENT them?
Thanks so much!
Catherine
http://yogurtandgranola.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 8:14:06 PM
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I wish I knew a way to prevent them too!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
Edited by - Aunt Jenny on Jan 23 2007 8:14:29 PM |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 8:26:47 PM
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It's funny--my mom uses that Nexcare liquid bandage for her cracked fingers, too. She works retail on a loading dock often, and opening up boxes and lugging things out of the truck, her hands really suffer. She uses bagbalm everynight and then puts soft cotton gloves on to sleep. I've tried it, but I can't stand the gloves on my hands all night--feels weird. I do, however, use the remedy for my feet, because my heels crack and really hurt in the winter.
Believe it or not, I've used neosporin for cracks, too, even on really chapped lips. It does a nice job, and keeps the infections out.
Does honey work for all dry skin? I'm a bit like an alligator on my shins and I'm pretty sure I've gone through all of the lotions on the store shelves to no avail....
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 8:37:54 PM
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I'll try the honey too. As a nurse I wash my hands at least 50 times in a shift at the hospital with harsh soaps and then we also use alcohol gel on our hands. Also working with fabrics tends to strip my hands of their natural oils and in the past, I have reallllly suffered with my skin on my hands, but no more! I never, EVER use any hand lotion on my hands that contain glycerin. Glycerin is a drying agent. I truly believe it is put in commercial handlotions to cause drying and cracking so that you use more lotion then buy more lotion. I search tirelessly for lotins without glycerin as an ingredient. There are very, very few. Here is one that I can now only find at Sally's beauty supply: Triple Lanolin and Aloe Vera lotion. Of course if you have an allergy to lanolin, do not use it. Another good ingredient to look for is Allantoin. It is a healing agent.
Here is a link to the Vienna Beauty Products page. I have also tried their Mango Butter. It is wonderful too. I use it on my dry feet and legs.
http://www.triplelanolin.com/
Just my thoughts on this. I do occasionally get those pesky skin splits near the nails, so I usually wrap it in some triple antibiotic ointment and a bandaid and it is gone over night. But I will try the honey next time I get one of those. I may just have to order some of Missy's Herbal hand salve! Thanks farmgirls for the great tips!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
Edited by - Aunt George on Jan 23 2007 8:42:53 PM |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 9:10:50 PM
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I use bag balm every single night when I milk...but I do have my hands in water alot. Boy, when I was a waitress it was alot worse.
At one time someone gave me some stuff called "Working Hands" that they said came from the feed store..it was like a white, stiff stuff..felt waxy...it helped but I have never seen it again. My grandpa used to use Cornhuskers lotion (do they still even make that stuff??) he was a welder and had really bad hands!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 9:19:29 PM
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Hi- just saw this post tonight. I have had really good response with the hand salve. I've started making my own herbal infusions and the ones I use are very healing as well as the mango butter. The cocoa butter protects your skin. I was just noticing today that I don't have the cracks and bleeding on my fingers that I normally do during the winter.
I would also consider a reaction to the latex in the gloves you are wearing and they can also be very drying. I make my own cleaner so that I'm not using anythng harsh, and then when I'm done I use the salve.
I sold both my hand salves from my etsy store today, but I have 3-4 of the lavender available right now. I'm not trying to "push" my product on anyone, just wanted to let you know that it really does seem to be healing some skin problems icluding my own.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
Edited by - lamarguerite farm on Jan 23 2007 9:19:55 PM |
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faithymom
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Faith
Sandpoint
ID
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:33:17 PM
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I'm double-posting here, sorry...
Aunt Jenny,
The best preventative for this I have found is Evening Primrose Oil capsules.
When I take them regularly (1 a day) the flare-ups definitely decrease.
You should be able to find EPO caps at any health foods store.
Faith
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2007 : 10:39:00 PM
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Next time I am at the health food store (nearest one is 20 miles away but worth a special trip!!) I am going to for sure look for the EPO...great idea!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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FlipFlopFarmer
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Carla
Molalla
Oregon
198 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 1:51:45 PM
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Missy - what's in your hand balm? Any frangrance oils are all EO? I have very sensitive skin.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly. |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 2:51:24 PM
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A friend of mine gave me something she made with Comfrey. It's in a liquid form. It really healed up a place on my hand that cracks open every winter and usually stays that way until spring. She told me that Comfrey is called 'the healing herb', but I was surprised at how quickly it worked.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
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gregs_lil_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
219 Posts
birdi
hartford
me
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 3:56:24 PM
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yes, Aunt Jenny...They still make cornhuskers lotion. Funny feeling stuff but I have had fairly good luck with it. I have eczema and it does seem to flair that up a bit, but so do most of the lotions...its worth a little annoyance to not have the hurt. You can get cornhuskers at WalMart and most drugstores.
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile- |
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2007 : 5:31:59 PM
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I don't use any synthetics or dyes in my products. I infused olive oil with lavender, chamomile and calendula. It's also made with apricot kernal oil(very gentle), cocoa butter, mango butter, beeswax, vitamin E and essential oils(lavender or rose geranium/sweet orange. I just got the lavender re-posted on my etsy store this morning if you want more info and pictures. We have lots of eczemza, allergies and dry skin in our family, so I can definately relate to the skin issues.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4216 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4216 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 1:09:46 PM
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Gee, my thumb just healed up, so I can't try the honey!! Can't wait for another crack to start- no not really!!! They hurt to much, and then that is the finger always getting bumped, and then it really hurts. My husband just used the triple antibiotic lotion, and he says it worked well. Bag balm really never did much for the cracks for me. Though whenever I put it on Summer, I work it into my thumbs too.
Michele |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 2:45:26 PM
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I get cracks on my hands too and I've found some stuff similar to liquid bandage. It is made by Nexcare and is called Skin Crack Care. It looks like clear nail polish. I get some pretty good sized cracks and it hasn't burned yet. I've found that getting them sealed for a good 24 hours makes a big difference in how quickly they will heal.
Sarah |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 5:42:07 PM
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They still make Corn Huskers, I got some for my hubby when his hands were cracked because he didn't want to use no sissy stuff...
He didn't use a lot of it, though, and I'm not sure if it really helped or not! I still have the bottle... yours for postage!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Here's to Your Health: Cracked Hands |
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Cracked Hands
