Split/cracked/cut skin on your hands

**auminer** · 12-24-2012, 09:38 PM

I was going to put this in "off topic discussions", but I actually think it's quite relevant to a scrapper's life. Especially this time of year, but anytime you're working with scrap & washing your hands a lot, they can really dry out & split around your fingernails. And considering that split-up fingertips have made it to where sometimes I can't face breaking down one more thing, I think it's a relevant topic. It's hard to break down things when you can't stand to pick up anything tiny, or do delicate touchy work... and FORGET about twisting out a bolt with your thumbtip!

So... after trying every remedy I could find, my wife read about a GREAT fix... though many of you will find it kinda gross.

Crisco.

Yep, that's right. Crisco lard. The real lard you can get at the Hispanic-targeted stores here in DFW is even better. Just smear a dime-sized ball of that into your hands and let it soak in for about 10 minutes, then rinse off the excess with water as hot as you can tolerate, (No soap), then go to bed. Do this every night & your hands split A LOT less.

If your fingertips still do split, take a vitamin E capsule, punch a hole in it with a safety pin, and squeeze out a generous dollop of the juice onto a bandaid pad, then put that bandaid on over the split fingertip. Keep the juice off the sticky part of the bandaid, or else it won't adhere. Cuts/splits heal a whole lot faster with vitamin E juice than even with Neosporin.

**Russell** · 12-24-2012, 09:57 PM

Vermont's Original Bag Balm*Protective Ointment | Walgreens

I rarely have the problems youve described. I know this stuff that was recommended to me a long time ago helps. I have bouts of nail biting problems. I don't even notice when I'm doing it until its too late. My cuticles often get torn up and this stuff heals them in a couple days.

**oldtoothlessbassmaster** · 12-24-2012, 10:36 PM

this has worked for me and i still use it to minimize the cracking/splitting/bleeding before it gets outta control

neosporin : Neosporin.com | NEOSPORIN®

several times a day work a dab into each cracked section of your hand, then wipe off excess with cotton towel

results in under a week

**Bear** · 12-24-2012, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by oldtoothlessbassmaster

this has worked for me and i still use it to minimize the cracking/splitting/bleeding before it gets outta control

neosporin : Neosporin.com | NEOSPORIN®

several times a day work a dab into each cracked section of your hand, then wipe off excess with cotton towel

results in under a week

I've used that stuff, really just because it was what I had in the cabinet, but it does help, and it doesn't take much either since it kinda "melts" once it gets the body heat

long time ago, when gas was cheaper than water, we'd get all greasy working on cars, and just wash off with gasoline, but it would chap too. Found diesel did good for a rinse ; ) haha

**wannabemechanic** · 12-24-2012, 11:17 PM

In a pinch, Chapstick, Blistex, or Carmex can work if you're out in the field and need relief quick.

**twmart** · 12-25-2012, 01:46 AM

Bag Balm X2.....

**Mechanic688** · 12-25-2012, 03:07 AM

Lubriderm or Corn Huskers Lotion, both very good for working hands,,

**milton76** · 12-25-2012, 05:31 AM

I am lucky and don't get cracked hands or feet to often but my wife does get both and she swears by badger balm.

**BRASSCATCHER** · 12-25-2012, 01:36 PM

Vitamin E and bag balm are the two things i use. Vit E to heal the splits and bag balm to prevent them. Another one i was taught by my grandmother that she used religiously in the winter. Rub your hands with vaseline before bed and cover them with a pair of socks. Never had a problem with cracked skin on her hands.

**Abuilder** · 12-25-2012, 02:18 PM

I have been using Corn Huskers Lotion for decades thanks to Paul Harvey.

**gustavus** · 12-25-2012, 02:19 PM

Stay at this scrappin gig long enough you become immune to pain and the sight of blood.

Hang in there you'll toughen up.

One time I had so much oil on my Levis they caught fire while cutting some scrap up with the torch, you would have laughed at how quickly a mand can get undressed in public. As a kid they could never get me to wear gaunchies as an adult still wear none.

**wannabemechanic** · 12-25-2012, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by gustavus

Stay at this scrappin gig long enough you become immune to pain and the sight of blood.

Hang in there you'll toughen up.

One time I had so much oil on my Levis they caught fire while cutting some scrap up with the torch, you would have laughed at how quickly a mand can get undressed in public. As a kid they could never get me to wear gaunchies as an adult still wear none.

Heh.. Caught two pairs of jeans and one pair of Carhartt Bibs on fire in the past year... It's an interesting experience every time...

**parrothead** · 12-25-2012, 11:59 PM

As said above. Bag balm or corn huskers lotion. Both great products. Fortunately, I moved to Florida and don't have that dryness to worry about anymore.

**Gravitar** · 12-26-2012, 12:21 AM

Lubriderm works for this guy. It's cheap , helps your hands heal up, and it doesn't leave my hands slippery and greasy like other stuff does. ( i'm sorry if spelling is bad in this post. Iphone keyboard, nuff said. LOL)

**tedanderson** · 12-26-2012, 07:50 AM

What about gloves? That seems to work pretty well also.

**greytruck** · 12-26-2012, 01:54 PM

When my hands get dryed out and cracked i use 1% hyrdocortisone ointment. Cheeper than lotion

**NatBrnCO** · 12-26-2012, 05:14 PM

Here in Western Colorado where if humidity gets above 12%, I think it is muggy, I have for years used the Corn Husker's Oil. Then one day I blew a hydraulic hose on piece of equipment, made a heck of a mess, but my hands were really soft. Since then I have put a couple drops of hydraulic oil inside pair of new gloves to condition and don't have the issue with thumbs and cuticles cracking.

**Russell** · 12-27-2012, 07:54 AM

If your catching on fire I recommend washing your clothes. Usually people wash their clothes for sanitary purposes. In this case it sounds like a safety issue. I wouldn't be bragging about either.

**Scrapette** · 12-28-2012, 11:01 AM

I put olive oil on my hands at bedtime when they get that cracked - if you want a vegetarian version. Also, I think Crisco comes in a vegetable shortening too, doesn't it?

**Mechanic688** · 12-28-2012, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Scrapette

I put olive oil on my hands at bedtime when they get that cracked - if you want a vegetarian version. Also, I think Crisco comes in a vegetable shortening too, doesn't it?

That way if you catch on fire you'll smell like french fries,,,lol

Split/cracked/cut skin on your hands

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badger balm!

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