hands chapped

[mistylady]

Can anyone suggest a good hand lotion for really really dry chapped hands? My right hand is slightly bloody and cracked across the knuckles and so dry it feels like sand paper to the touch. It's not much fun. I put Lubriderm lotion that we had here on it but it just makes it sting and isn't helping.

 

I would love any help!

[HSmom]

Welcome to my world. I crack and bleed too. Regular lotion stings because it contains some alcohol so you doesn't leave you gooey. Wait, but isn't alcohol drying? Why, yes, yes it is.

 

Eucerin Moisturizing Cream is wonderful and non-irritating even to allergic types, such as myself. However a large (1 pound) tub of Eucerin runs about $20.

 

Fortunately, God created Walmart, where the Equate brand "Dry Skin Cream... with added moisturizers" is only $4 for the 1 pound tub.

 

If you don't want to go to Walmart, set aside your ick-factor and grab the Crisco from the kitchen. Plain is best, but I used butter-flavored once, in a pinch, and it was WAY better than nothing. About 100 years ago when I was a nursing home aide, Crisco was the only moisturizer we used - and the elderly tend to have very dry skin. Obviously, it's greasy, so put on an old sweatshirt and don't paw all over your favorite piece of upholstered furniture.

[mentalutopia]

My 4-yr-old's hands were cracked and red last week (she's been wiping her runny nose with the back of her hand...grrr), and I slathered them with Watkin's campho-phenique salve and put socks on the overnight for a few nights. They healed nicely.

 

Eucerin calming cream and gold bond lotion are my favorites for long-lasting relief of dry hands, but hers were beyond that point.

[Grubby]

When my knuckles get cracked and bloody, I've started

using Bag Balm. I don't put it over all of my hands

just the parts that need it.

 

It's very thick and a little goes a long way.

 

Love it, Love it, Love it!!!

[Genoa]

I, too, have used Eucerin (generic), Bag Balm, and Crisco, as well as Corn Husker's Lotion (which I think stings a little when your skin is cracked, but it does help). In fact, I have all of these right now and use them all.

 

I wanted to add one other suggestion, however. My daughter has some OCD traits and washes her hands constantly, which, of course, makes the problem worse. I found Aveeno Intensive Relief Hand Cream, in a beige and purple tube (cap is purple). It says on the front that it "lasts through hand washing," and it does! My daughter would immediately go wash her hands as soon as I put any of these products on, but at least this one stays on. I use it a lot myself, since it seems like I'm always washing my hands through the day. I have the other products for using at night or at other times when I probably won't be washing my hands as much.

 

Oh, and one other thing we did with my daughter when her hands were really bad was put on the moisturizer and then cover with cotton gloves before she went to bed. It's kind of gross and greasy, but it helped a lot---we only do that when we're desperate because her hands have gotten so bad.

[alldoneandready]

I posted a recipe in Natures Perscriptions that I really like its cost about $3.00 to make if you get the stuff at that dollar store. It really has helped with the dry cracking hands and feet and rough elbows. It is heavy enough to last a long time on the skin but doesn't wash off right away either a little bit goes along way if you know what I mean if you make it with the full amount of vaseline which I would do if my hands were bad, but now they are sooooo much better I make it with 1/2 that amount of vaseline and I love it that way too. Genea I bet this would stay longer on your daughter hands too so that might be a good thing for her too. My son has OCD too and I wish hand washing was one of his ta-wixs lack of a better word.(lol) but he is (or should say we are) blessed with not being about to throw things out or away. Pack rats don't have anything on him I will tell you. Any ways ladys I hope this helps you all.

[mentalutopia]

Oops! I said I used campho-phenique salve and it really was the petro-carbo.

[Momo]

Cornhuskers works for me and it's not too expensive since it really goes far.

[mistylady]

Thank you all ladies! I'm going to pick up the cornhuskers (I remember seeing it in the store), the Aveeno and make some of the natural relief. Dh has dry hands from the lye at work so if it doesn't work for me - I'll gift him with it! LOL

 

Thank you everyone!

[halfpint]

I used to have dry, chapped bleeding hands (and elbows) until I began using home made soap several years ago. After about 2 years, most of my problems went away, and I rarely need any lotion now. It might be something you want to try. There are usually a lot of home made soaps at craft shops, craft fairs and such, it might be something you want to try.

Dawn

[Belle]

Over the years, I've tried everything mentioned in this thread, along with a number of homemade lotions and dozens of prescription meds (not to mention going to the dermatologist for 6 years!)Recently, I bought a bottle of Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion. I tried a little, fearing it would burn (it didn't) and my hands felt better IMMEDIATELY!!! By the next morning, my hands were healed and have been fine ever since. I can't tell you how thrilled I am!

 

Hubby had been using Cornhusker's, with marginal success. I suggested he try the Jergens. He was amazed at how much better his hands felt right away. His were healed by the next day, too, and, despite having his hands in strong cleaning solutions every day, his are still in great shape. In fact, tonight he mentioned how soft his hands were (pretty funny coming from a big, burly redneck)

 

Anyway, Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion is pretty cheap, less than $3, and works exceedingly well.

 

Remember this post, since I hardly ever recommend anything by brand name. LOL

[Snowmom]

Yes, I agree, Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion is very good. I also use Silicone Glove by Avon.

 

My hands are bad during the winter, between November and March, but usually fine the rest of they year. Therefore I use a lot of both lotions.

[Sunnyboysx3]

Dh's feet get like that from wearing wool socks and work boots for many hours every day.

 

Taro Base

Cream

 

A soothing moisturizing non-medicated hypoallergenic cream.

 

Does not smell the nicest but it does work.

[mom11]

Hi!

 

If your cracking is very severe, there is a prescription gel, called Hylira. It is pricey and I have to pay the highest co-pay through my insurance. My hands crack so badly, that they almost need to have steri-strips and I can see the muscle. Nothing worked. Although I have several cracks now, I don't have them all over my fingers. I actually tear, at the joints, just simply rip. This stuff is weird. It is clear and you rub it on. You keep rubbing and then you realize it is all absorbed and your hands feel like velvet. It comes in about a quart sized container and should last a long time. You use it twice a day and I use hand lotion in between. Just a last resort option!

[WiccadStargazer]

I've used Bag-balm, Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream, vasoline,Avon's Intense Moisture Therapy Hand Cream, and my newest thing is The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector.

 

My hands don't generally crack really bad, but I have ONE foot that does.

[Sunnyboysx3]

Mary Kay satin hands. 4 step process. Very nice. I don't have severe dry hands though. I would still give it a try. Wow, lots of suggestions. Love reading what others use and like.

[Belle]

Quote:

My hands don't generally crack really bad, but I have ONE foot that does.

My sister had the same thing. ONE foot cracked very deeply. She finally went to the doctor and he told her that she had athlete's foot (just on that one foot). She said that she would have never dreamed it was that, since it wasn't itchy or peeling and it had been that way for years. She used Absorbine Jr. for about 10 days and that healed it up completely.

[WiccadStargazer]

I've been to three drs about it...1 said: althlete's foot, 1 said: mix between athlete's foot and something else (I don't remember now, it was over 13 years ago), and the last said: I've never seen that before, I don't know what it could possibly be! Who knows, it comes and goes...oh well!

[HSmom]

Misty, are your hands better now?

 

I'm still piling on the "Equate" version of Eucerin. I've also been leaving lids off pots in a vain attempt to get a little more moisture into the air.

[Becca_Anne]

TY all so much! I am going to print this out. My son has exceedingly dry skin, which bleed in winter, and anything that can soak in and stay on after washing might help.

[Amber]

I've gone through a lot of lotions just like everyone else.

 

I found out that when I slightly dampen my hands (or feet, or elbows, heels, etc.) with water first -- I wait till *almost* air dried or lightly dab off on a towel -- and then put on the lotion it helps a lot.

 

I like two hand lotions I found, pricey, but worked well durng the winter. The first one was from Lancome, in a tube, from the department store. I used this lotion on my DH's hands when he worked in a warehouse and got cracked and bleeding hands and fingers from the cardboard handling. I had him dampen his hands and apply at bedtime so it had a chance to work overnight. This lotion was very good and we used it till I found the next one which I like better.

 

The other that I love and still use, sparingly, is a tube of hand lotion by Borghese, also from the department store. This one stays on after washing. It is similar to Avon's silicone glove, but makes your hands feel better. It is a large tube and lasts me more than a couple of years because I use it for the really rough times. I keep a bit of it in a glass cosmetic jar at work and use it when paper handling really messes my hands up. It feels funny at first but let it soak in.

 

I used to do the vaseline thing with mittens and spare socks, but hated the greasy stains it left if I had to do something while it was on my hands. We also did the Cornhuskers with limited results, a medicated one from the pharmacy OTC, and bag balm, all during the time DH's hands were messed up from the warehouse. The Borghese hand cream worked best.

 

At present, on a fairly daily basis, I use the one in a tube called Udderly Smooth (can be bought at WalMart) and then after it absorbs, I 'top it' (overcoat it?) with Aveeno Stress Relief lotion that comes in a pump plastic bottle. I use this combo on my feet elbows and hands regularly as maintenance.

 

Good luck in your search for what works for you.

[Bookworm]

I'm so glad I found this thread, was getting ready to post a question myself. My hands get so bad they are embarrassing. Cracked, especially at the knuckles and when they are really bad the thumbs get cracks right at the corner of the nail at the top. I swear it looks like someone just sliced my fingers open at times.

 

I have used Working Hands Cream, Unker's (Spelling?) Vaseline Intensive Moisture THerapy, etc. and things will work for a little bit and then it's back to the same ol' thing. A couple of nights ago I was trying to do my transcription work and I was having an awful time because the knuckles on my left hand were very dry and starting to crack. I used some of the Unker's cream (can get it at Ace Hardware) and that took the pain away almost immediately. You can use it for joint pain, rub it on your chest when you have a bad cold (kinda like Vick's).

 

Anyway, I've just about had it. The backs of my hands look so much older than I do. I've tried changing soaps (not homemade yet but will give it a whirl) and I use the dishwasher 99% of the time to do dishes.

 

I just hate the pain in my knuckles, etc. it hurts down in the bones. Anyway, I'm going to try some of the suggestions here before I go see a doc 'cause I'm thinking there's got to be some big cause for this. I avoid dryer sheets and other than a cup of coffee or two in the mornings, I only drink water. I don't take any prescription meds either. No big changes in diet.

 

Okay, enough rambling - going to take my weary head to bed.

 

Have a great night!