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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 14, 2005, at 2:17:40
I have cuts on nearly every one of my fingers from the cold, dry weather. The parts of my fingers that aren't actually split are so dry and flaky and raw feeling. I tried Eucerin cream, but it's not helping. Does anyone have any suggestions? It's even painful to type since some of the sores are on the part of my fingers that touch the keys.
Posted by LegWarmers on December 14, 2005, at 7:16:59
In reply to Very sore hands/fingers, posted by Sarah T. on December 14, 2005, at 2:17:40
They have these gloves, moisture gloves I believe. You can lather your hands with vasleine or whatever and sleep with the gloves on. Id maybe go to a doctor and get something for the cuts to heal so that you can start moisturizing. If you live in a cold area make sure you always wear gloves outside. Sounds painful
Posted by Gee on December 15, 2005, at 1:42:54
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers, posted by LegWarmers on December 14, 2005, at 7:16:59
Lots of band-aids and mosturisure and gloves. Mary Kay has some good hand mask out. I don't know much about it, but it really worked for my mom.
And Band-aids. I say, cover the cuts and then you can keep on typing!!
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 15, 2005, at 8:54:51
In reply to Very sore hands/fingers, posted by Sarah T. on December 14, 2005, at 2:17:40
> I have cuts on nearly every one of my fingers from the cold, dry weather. The parts of my fingers that aren't actually split are so dry and flaky and raw feeling. I tried Eucerin cream, but it's not helping. Does anyone have any suggestions? It's even painful to type since some of the sores are on the part of my fingers that touch the keys.
My mom used to get that.
It's from loss of fat from the epidermis. Something has changed, probably, if this is your first season with this. A new dish soap, or?
Use gloves when doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, etc. Don't immerse your hands in soap other than for sanitary reasons. To minimize those exposures, get some alcohol gel sanitizer, and use it instead of soap whenever you can.
Those moisturizer gloves are a good idea, and some lotion.....there are scent-free, gimick-free products, I'm sure your pharmacist could show you.
If you've cracked to the point of bleeding, you can expect it'll take a while to turn this around. I'll check into some dietary measures. Back later.
Lar
Posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:33:50
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers, posted by LegWarmers on December 14, 2005, at 7:16:59
Hi LegWarmers,
Thanks for your reply. I went to the pharmacy today and found those gloves. They are sort of disposable cotton gloves to be used with creams/medicines. I was using Bacitracin, but it may be too harsh to use on a regular basis.
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:37:48
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers, posted by Gee on December 15, 2005, at 1:42:54
Hi Gee,
Thanks for your reply. I've been trying to find some band-aids that are just for sensitive skin. I've seen them in the past, but I couldn't find them today. My hands are actually so bad now that when I take the band-aids off, the adhesive part pulls skin with it! Ouch!
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:45:16
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on December 15, 2005, at 8:54:51
Hi Larry,
Thanks for your reply. You mentioned loss of fat from the epidermis. Hmmm . . . Very interesting. My fingers don't look thinner! Yes, this is the first year it's been this bad.
I had thought of using the alcohol gel hand sanitizer, but I hesitated because I was worried that the alcohol would be more harsh than soap.
I've been wondering about dietary deficiencies. I've been using plenty of olive oil (ingesting it) and fish oil. Maybe I need more protein and vitamin C?
S.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 16, 2005, at 0:10:47
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » Larry Hoover, posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:45:16
> Hi Larry,
>
> Thanks for your reply. You mentioned loss of fat from the epidermis. Hmmm . . . Very interesting. My fingers don't look thinner! Yes, this is the first year it's been this bad.Often due to exposure to cleaning agents. It's common. I can't know that's why. Contact dermatitis is another related problem.
The natural skin oils help to shield the skin moisture from evaporation. If the oils are stripped away, the skin is no longer protected. As the skin dries, it shrinks, and the structural proteins fail from tension fractures. So you get cracks. Hey, I'm a geek.
> I had thought of using the alcohol gel hand sanitizer, but I hesitated because I was worried that the alcohol would be more harsh than soap.
Hmmm. In hospitals that have switched to alcohol vs. soap for hand disinfection, nurses' skin problems decreased. That's what I was thinking about, but it might not be appropriate for raw skin.
> I've been wondering about dietary deficiencies. I've been using plenty of olive oil (ingesting it) and fish oil. Maybe I need more protein and vitamin C?
>
> S.Most commonly associated with vitamin A and Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) deficiency. Also, low thyroid. B's and C, less so. I wonder about D, though. Hmmmm.
About the gloves. I came across this product when I checked google:
http://www.glovesinabottle.com/dry-cracked-skin.htmlThe sorts of lotions that will help contain oils or fats (moisture barrier, keeping moisture in), and/or humectants, substances which absorb and hold moisture.
Oily lotions are best applies after a bath or shower, while the skin is plumped. It will help keep it that way, to some extent.
But that glovesinabottle stuff seemed pretty all around cool.
Lar
Posted by Sarah T. on December 17, 2005, at 22:56:51
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on December 16, 2005, at 0:10:47
Hi. Thanks so much for all that information! I have to look into getting more GLA in my diet. Do you take GLA supplements?
Posted by LegWarmers on December 18, 2005, at 8:38:15
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » LegWarmers, posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:33:50
They should be helpful, I hope so! It sounds so painful
Posted by Gee on December 18, 2005, at 10:26:28
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » Gee, posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 22:37:48
Have you tried the band-aids that made out of paper, and eventually just disolve away with water? I think they're made by 3M. They are definately the ones to go for. the ones I had had micky on them. It sounds so painful. I hope something helps
Posted by Sarah T. on December 18, 2005, at 23:43:27
In reply to Re: Very sore hands/fingers » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on December 16, 2005, at 0:10:47
On second thought, I think I do get GLA from the evening primrose oil I take. That has GLA, right? I take only 500 mg of EPO a day, and usually, I take it only during the second half of my cycle. Maybe I should take it all month long.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 19, 2005, at 8:32:07
In reply to Re: GLA, continued » Larry Hoover, posted by Sarah T. on December 18, 2005, at 23:43:27
> On second thought, I think I do get GLA from the evening primrose oil I take. That has GLA, right? I take only 500 mg of EPO a day, and usually, I take it only during the second half of my cycle. Maybe I should take it all month long.
No I would think that means its not the source problem. Really, because you mention your hands most specifically, I would be looking for a chemical exposure.
Dry skin more generally, there could be lots of factors (including that dreaded aging thing), and the vitamin A issue might be a possibility, or a thyroid issue.
So, I wouldn't worry about the GLA. I'm sure you get sufficient from the EPO.
Lar
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