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cracked thumbs

updated thu 18 mar 04

 

LindaBlossom on sun 14 mar 04


It isn't cheap but it works. There is a Band-Aid liquid bandage. When your
thumb begins to crack apply this and it will protect it and it will heal
under it. As a preventative, use New Skin.

Linda

Ithaca

> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks,
Lowell
> Ann
>

Lowell Barron on sun 14 mar 04


Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks, Lowell
Ann

wayneinkeywest on sun 14 mar 04


Bag Balm. Sold online by stores such as The Vermont
Country Store, PetSmart, lot of others. Probably find
it in a drugstore like Walgrens, CVS.
Originally made for cow udders by farmers.
Comes in a tin container. Sounds goofy, works like a charm.

Or, aloe vera. Wash your hands, or the affected part.
Break a leaf off, rub the slimey clear juice into the skin.
When it's dry, a light coat of vaseline or some moisturizer.
Do this just before bed, wear a rubber/plastic glove on that hand to
bed,
remove it in the morning. Takes about three days to heal.
Cracking skin...the bane of winter.
Hope that helps,
Wayne Seidl
(no connection to any of the products or stores mentioned
except aloe, which I grow for "medicinal purposes" :>)

> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if
anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter.
Thanks, Lowell
> Ann

Donald G. Goldsobel on sun 14 mar 04


Restoration Hardware has a product called No Cracks and it is like a
protective barrier. Use before and after the studio. Another good product is
bag balm, but it is petroleum based and therefore greasy. No Cracks is
better for daily use-Bag Balm for healing the cracks when you get them.

Yes--Bag Balm is what the dairy farmers use on the udders to prevent the
nipples from getting chapped from weather and the milking machines. Many
drug stores care it in small human size cans rather than the larger bovine
size.

Donald- ,See yy'all in INDY


----- Original Message -----
From: "Lowell Barron"
To:
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 7:43 AM
Subject: cracked thumbs


> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks,
Lowell
> Ann
>
>
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Jennifer Boyer on sun 14 mar 04


I usually bandage them at night with antibiotic ointment.

But a friend just told me that extra vitamin D helps. I don't know
where you live but she says it's hard for folks in northern climes to
get enough vitamin D from the limited sunlight in winter...and that
affects the skin.
Jennifer
On Mar 14, 2004, at 10:43 AM, Lowell Barron wrote:

> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone
> has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks,
> Lowell
> Ann
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT

http://thistlehillpottery.com

Liisa Reid on sun 14 mar 04


I fortunately don't have this problem much, but when I do, I prick a vitamin E
capsule, and a vitamin A and D capsule and rub the contents directly on the skin.
Maybe also swallow one. And sometimes I have mixed the vitamins with something
like bag balm.
Liisa

Jennifer Boyer wrote:

> I usually bandage them at night with antibiotic ointment.
>
> But a friend just told me that extra vitamin D helps. I don't know
> where you live but she says it's hard for folks in northern climes to
> get enough vitamin D from the limited sunlight in winter...and that
> affects the skin.
> Jennifer

Marek Drzazga on sun 14 mar 04


Dear Clayarters,

one of the best things that I have come across is STINKY WATER. After =
washing your hands, use a bucket or any large receptacle, and just keep =
on using it. Not only does it clear up most skin problems, added to your =
reclemation clay it sours it within weeks. No pills, no oils, just clay =
and water and a few billion little critters making your life easier.

happy potting Marek www.moley.uk.com

Linda Ferzoco on sun 14 mar 04


Two words: Bag Balm. Farmers use it for cows teats, so you might have to find a country feed store to get it. It'll work best if you slather it on at bedtime and wear a pair of cotton gloves all night. Don't do Viagra and Bag Balm on the same night tho.

Linda in California

Lowell Barron wrote:
Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter.

Zoe Johnson on sun 14 mar 04


Even better than Bag Balm - one of those liquid paraffin baths for your
hands. Clears ups cracks and dry skin and soothes old, arthritic bones,
and it even has the added benefit of stopping the minor skin infections
that I am plagued with after using the community slop bucket. It is
absolutely the best thing I ever bought for myself. You can get the way in
scented versions, or add a tablespoon of bag balm to wax. I have never had
such wonderful skin on my hands or had such an effective means of chasing
away the athritis from 30 years of typing as a computer geek.
zoej
--On Sunday, March 14, 2004 5:43 PM -0800 Linda Ferzoco
wrot

> Two words: Bag Balm. Farmers use it for cows teats, so you might have to
> find a country feed store to get it. It'll work best if you slather it
> on at bedtime and wear a pair of cotton gloves all night. Don't do
> Viagra and Bag Balm on the same night tho.
>
> Linda in California
>
> Lowell Barron wrote:
> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter.
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
> _____ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.



Zoe Paddy Johnson
Analyst Programmer 3

Carol Tripp on mon 15 mar 04


When my son was a baby, the sterilizing fluid for the bottles made my
fingers dry up, crack and lose their fingerprints. Very bad. Neutrogena
hand cream (Norwegian formula - do you suppose that's really true?)
slathered on with cotton gloves over, cured my damaged fingers. Do this
overnight, every night.
The gloves are optional after the cracking is cured. Nowadays, I find that
if I don't use the Neutrogena every night, the iron in the clay stains my
hands during the day. Haven't figured out that one.

Best regards,
Carol
Dubai, UAE
Do you think it's raining or snowing in Indianapolis? ;-) Yes, I am
jealous.

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Darnie Sizemore on mon 15 mar 04


The other thing that I have found that works is Badger Balm. I found it at a store called Castle Remedies in Ann Arbor, MI. It is similar to Bag Balm, however it soaks in quickly and works better. I also will put vaseline on my hands ( I mean a lot it looks gross) and then will put socks on my hands over the vaseline and then go to bed. The socks help keep the heat and moisture in while the vaseline soaks in.

Darnie

Zoe Johnson wrote:
Even better than Bag Balm - one of those liquid paraffin baths for your
hands. Clears ups cracks and dry skin and soothes old, arthritic bones,
and it even has the added benefit of stopping the minor skin infections
that I am plagued with after using the community slop bucket. It is
absolutely the best thing I ever bought for myself. You can get the way in
scented versions, or add a tablespoon of bag balm to wax. I have never had
such wonderful skin on my hands or had such an effective means of chasing
away the athritis from 30 years of typing as a computer geek.
zoej
--On Sunday, March 14, 2004 5:43 PM -0800 Linda Ferzoco
wrot

> Two words: Bag Balm. Farmers use it for cows teats, so you might have to
> find a country feed store to get it. It'll work best if you slather it
> on at bedtime and wear a pair of cotton gloves all night. Don't do
> Viagra and Bag Balm on the same night tho.
>
> Linda in California
>
> Lowell Barron wrote:
> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter.
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
> _____ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.



Zoe Paddy Johnson
Analyst Programmer 3

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claybair on mon 15 mar 04


Lowell Ann,

Use warm water in your studio.
Wash all clay from around your nails.
Use a good hand cream.

Anytime I get lazy and use cold water from the previous day
I start getting sandpaper hands and cracking.
If I recall correctly there was/is a vitamin solution but I don't
remember if it was one or more B or an E.
Some people slather their hands with cream and put on gloves
at bedtime. I don't know if that one works as I haven't tried it.
More than anything else the warm water did the trick for me.

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
From:
Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks, Lowell
Ann

claybair on mon 15 mar 04


Oh... I forgot to add that I found a fabulous band-aid.
It's Band-aid Advanced Healing. These Band-Aids are
waterproof gel strip. You leave it on for several days.
I have a very sharp kitchen slicer made in Vietnam.
Getting distracted while using this tool has resulted
in several deep slices in my fingertips. Using these Band-Aids
fairly deep cuts have healed in 3 days & I'm able to continue
throwing when I have it on.
You might try it on the cracked thumbs.
They are expensive.. over $4 for a box of ten. As
far as I am concerned they are worth it as I don't have to wait over
a week to get back on the wheel!

Gayle Bair - no interest, stock or investment in this company just a
very satisfied customer.
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
From: LindaBlossom

It isn't cheap but it works. There is a Band-Aid liquid bandage. When your
thumb begins to crack apply this and it will protect it and it will heal
under it. As a preventative, use New Skin.

Linda

Ithaca

> Hi again, With all this talk about thumbs, I am wondering if anyone has a
> way to prevent/heal cracked thumbs that occur in the winter. Thanks,
Lowell

Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 15 mar 04


Dear Ann,
As a prophylactic, massage Pure (or raw) Lanolin into the areas which
are liable to be affected. It is sticky and water proof. Ah yes. It
stinks as well
For affected areas you might try looking for a "Heel Balm" which
contains 25% Urea in a lanolin base.
Or look for a good quality Barrier Cream.
Though it might feel awkward to use, why not wear a rubber finger
stall?
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia

Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 15 mar 04


Dear Linda in California,
Just two words
"Naughty, Naughty"
<>
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia

Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 15 mar 04


Dear Steph,
Not within 20 miles. We're surrounded by Sheep. Which is why I suggest
lanolin.
Now when I was milking a small heard of twenty before breakfast I
cannot recall any of the "wee darlins" having udder troubles.
By the way, refined lanolin is used in many unguents produced for the
pharmacy.
Beats me to reason why a grease can be classed as a "Moisturiser".
Seems like a contradiction in terms. Must be the English Language
again!! I do have recipes for Moisturising and Barrier Creams but they
may be out of date against modern materials usage. Always included a
few sessions on Cosmetic Science for the benefit of senior high school
girls. But to balance things included After Shave for the lads.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia.
With a passion for Sheep milk cheese! ! !

Culling on mon 15 mar 04


well I'd guess lack of Vit D is not the total cause :)
Where I live we've no shortage of sunshine - tanned all year just from
swimming laps - no sunbaking- and I get cracked thumbs every year - been
using a hemp cream from the body shop behore bed- not as greasy as alot of
moisturisers by along way but not a total cure either . They don't hurt as
much tho and feel alot better in the morning - until I start working
again.
Anyone in Oz heard of bag cream? Ivor? No milking sheds up this way
Steph

> But a friend just told me that extra vitamin D helps. I don't know
> where you live but she says it's hard for folks in northern climes to
> get enough vitamin D from the limited sunlight in winter...and that
> affects the skin.

Janet Kaiser on tue 16 mar 04


Drat!! And there we were in the Frequently Asked Question Club,
congratulating ourselves that this hardy winter perennial could
not possibly turn up so late in the season. We were so close to
2003-4 being a record-breaking winter too!! The Clayart Betting
Syndicate just went belly up...

The Perfect Potter's Winter ABC:
Aloe
Bag Balm
Carrots...
Go through the whole alphabet right down to
Warm water
Xtra care
YMMV
Vitamins (inside and out)
Zebras cannot change their spots... Oh, no... That should be
under "L" for Leopards...

The simple cause of cracking is the skin drying out. Basta!

There are any number of causes... extremes of temperature,
under/over exposure to water or other liquids, over use of
chemicals, soaps, detergents, acids, alkalines and/or astringic
substances, low immune levels, lack of vitamins, medication...
Who cares which of the 101 causes? If you are unable or unwilling
to change your daily routines, including working methods which
could be the main cause, you simply have to find other means and
methods of what suits you and your daily occupation best.

The aim is simply to aid your skin to regenerate
***before it can dry out and break down***

As you will not be able to remove all the environmental assaults
you are subjecting yourself to on a daily basis, you have to
find ways and means of keeping the moisture levels of your skin
as high as possible. You cannot add moisture to your skin
(whatever the adverts claim), but you can provide barriers to
preserve what is there... You can also boost the body from the
inside by increasing vitamin intake as well as decreasing stuff
bad for circulation and skin tone. This includes the usual
culprits alcohol, tea/coffee, smoking, etc. although each is a
"baddy" in a different way... Booze because it dehydrates,
smoking because it reduces circulation, etc. etc.

But really... All anyone can say now has been well and truly
chewed over down the years...
Check the archives: http://www.ceramics.org/clayart.html
Seek: cracked/dry/sore/splitting/winter + fingers/hands/skin +
cream/cure/medication/moisturiser/protection in any combination
you fancy.

But top marks for adding "thumbs"... I believe that is actually
NEW!

Sincerely

Janet Kaiser -- in the lion's jaws of a turbulent March following
weeks of sunny, calmness...
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Tel: ++44 (01766) 523570 http://www.the-coa.org.uk

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lela martens on tue 16 mar 04


Hi Lowell Ann, Gayle, everyone,
The vitamin solution is vitamin E. Just take a capsule, pierce it, rub on
hands and wear gloves to bed. It`s cheaper than fancy creams and even after
just 1 or 2 nights, you can see the improvement.
Also, I learned this at a workshop, apply vaseline to your hands before you
throw. I thought it would just rub off into the clay right away, but it
didn`t...took a few pots before one has to re-apply.
Take care...we need these body parts for a long time.
from Lela who now is very grateful to have 2 arms and hands both working at
the same time.

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Cherry Knobloch on wed 17 mar 04


I'm a newbie on this list but not with this problem. I get cracks on the
ends and sides of my thumbs and fingers. I've spent a fortune on creams. I
use more Nivea and Miracle Hand Repair than anything else. The hot paraffin
thing is very nice. But what I haven't seen anyone mention is Super glue.
Once I get the cracks, I glue them with any super glue I can find, usually
Stop a Gap. It has to be reapplied every couple of days, especially after a
direct bump! The Bandaids from Johnson and Johnson, that remain on for
several days are really good but don't stay on very well, especially on the
ends of fingers. I cover them with regular band aids that can be changed
when they get soiled. I've even superglued them on when I had a crack on my
heel. I agree about the New Skin- it's little more than nail polish. And it
burns. I've known a couple docs that use the super glue, as well as some
ardent outdoors men. I got the idea from a local doctor who wintered at the
South Pole. This is what he did.

Cherry Knobloch
Camp Hill, Pa USA