I don't mis the humidity...but my hands do. Any tips for dry hands?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I didn't think I would have to worry about this now, but I guess my hands are quite sensitive to air that isn't saturated with moisture.

My hands crack and bleed in the frigid blink of winter in Florida and on any brief trips North in Winter.

How can I best mitigate that? My hands are already showing dry skin...and it is only August. Yes---they are whiny aren't they?

The rest of me is enjoying the weather.

 

[S. C.]

Hydrocortisone might help. Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[bballmom56]

My hands get dry and cracked very easily because I have to wash them so often. I used to used Pacquin's hand cream which was wonderful (contains lanolin and glycerin which must be the secret ingredients for me). Now they have discontinued it. I have tried many, many other creams, none of which worked nearly as well. Then I researched hand creams containing lanolin and glycerin and came up with something called Plexo hand cream. It works just as well and smells just as nice.

 

[maslex]

***NO NEED TO READ ANY FURTHER*** LOL

For YEARS, I have had MAJOR issues with my hands (EXTREME dryness, cracking, bleeding, actually got so bad that I lost my fingerprints *literally*, AND doctor said I ended up with nerve damage due to how bad my hands got, mainly my right hand)

ANYHOW, I tried prescriptions from the doctor, about every over the counter cream, lotion, ointment, etc and NOTHING has come even close to healing my hand (or even moisturizing them for that matter)

So I asked my SIL one day what she uses for her husbands back (he has bad exzema) and she says.....you're NOT going to believe this but I get a hand cream from AVON (of all places) that works WONDERS!!!! So, even though I'm a skeptical as can be, I order it....try it....and within a couple weeks my hands LITERALLY went back to being "normal". They were so soft, never dry, cracking/bleeding went away and somehow I got my fingerprints back. ***I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BE WITHOUT THIS STUFF*** It totally does the trick. BELIEVE ME!!!

Here's the link...http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.a...el2_id=303&pdept_id=334&dept_id=0&pf_id=38612

 

[rodeo65]

Avon products can be great! I have also used Penetan diaper cream with cotton gloves on going to bed.

 

[Christine]

My dry hands are fairly bad. I haven't tried *everything* so I will still continue to read this thread, but after trying at least 10 hand creams I ran across the Hemp Hand Cream from The Body Shop. It is more like a heavy ointment but doesn't leave your hands feeling gross after you use it (many creams I tried left an awful residue). I suggested to a few of my friends and they are also converts. I put it on after each handwashing (when I can) and it seems to do the trick.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Be proactive.

For example, wear rubber gloves anytime you have to use a chemical. If you are cleaning and you spray Windex, Pledge, or whatever you use always wear gloves when cleaning.

As a long time sufferer I have found that to be the magic bullet for me, FINALLY!

As far as creams, I use Eucerin. If my hands are getting bad, I use A&D ointment at night while wearing cloth gloves in the winter.

If they get to the cracked and bleeding stage, then I use precription steriod stuff from the Dermatologist. Thankfully since I have kept the chemicals off my hands, I have not have cracked and bleeding in yrs, except one spot. It is on my right hand where I open bottles. I can't seem to heal that. I got some ointment Fri. from my Derm. and I am going to attempt to try and heal it. I do use rubber gloves most of the time to open bottles however sometimes I don't have a gripper to open them.

 

[golfgal]

Drink more water and I agree with the rubber gloves when you do any cleaning or dish washing. Even in the humid summers if I do dishes by hand I get the cracks and dry skin and rubber gloves help.

Don't use antibacterial soaps (which are hard to find now). Stay away from using any "grease cutting" dish soaps (rubber gloves again).

I had a prescription hand lotion for a while--I can't remember the name--and that helped tremendously when I was washing my hands all the time when the kids were little (diapers, etc.).

I found that Jergens Ultra Healing lotion works best for me. Some of the heavier creams actually make it worse for my skin for some reason. Keep some lotion by all of your sinks and put some one every time you wash your hands.

I would also mention this to your doctor next time you are in and make sure it isn't eczema.

 

[golfgal]

Another tip--when you get those painful cracks near your fingernails, coat them with super glue. It is like the liquid bandaid stuff they have but it doesn't sting and it stays on longer. I found a couple brands that have a brush applicator and it works GREAT.

 

[MushyMushy]

I second most of what golfgal said, especially drinking water. Staying hydrated is extremely important for your skin.

I avoid harsh soaps and chemicals like crazy. Every time I clean, I wear gloves. When I wash my hands, I try to use a moisturizing soap (dove, softsoap, something like that). Nothing antibacterial or anything with alcohol in it.

Everyone has a preference in lotions, but the best thing to look for is one with mineral oil as the first in the ingredient list, rather than water. Personally, I don't need anything that strong, so I look for products with shea butter. I just like the scent and creaminess of shea butter products. I'm currently using Gold Bond Ultimate Softening with shea butter. I'll get Lubriderm in a pinch (my pharmacist recommended that to me).

My hands are as soft as a baby's. I do all of the above, and put lotion on several times a day, although that's a slight bit of OCD making me do that. It works, but I'd just as soon not be a slave to hand lotion.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Avon products can be great! I have also used Penetan diaper cream with cotton gloves on going to bed.

DH has major problems with dry, cracking hands, and he swears by Avon Moisture Therapy.

 

[Magpie]

I have the same problems with my heels - cracking and bleeding. Regular moisturizers don't seem to make any impact on them. My mother-in-law gave me a tube of "ELTA" a few weeks ago and its been working wonders. My heels are looking better than they've looked in years.

I hope you find what works for you!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

WOw...lots of products to investigate.

Let me ask y'all (lol!) this...will exfoliating help?

Golfgal--funny you mentioned the nails..I had a whole section of skin come off the side of the nail. Unfortunately it was too early for it to come off and the skin underneath was still raw. Ow! It finally healed. I guess I am going to have to stay more active with manicures and pedicures (on my own).

I have used the hemp lotion before. I had also used udder cream (sold OTC for people but was made for cow udders). I'm just trying to manage with what I have on hand.
The lotion I used last night actually stung in a manner suggesting I might have has very small cuts on my hands in process already.

Let me also ask--why are chemicals more harsh in dry weather? I hadn't thought of that being the culprit. I'm going through the house with a fine tooth comb cleaning it....but have been trying the least offensive cleaners. Basic dish soap for example. I guess grease cutting means it is stripping the oils from my hands. I hadn't even thought of that.

 

[MushyMushy]

I think anything can strip the moisture from your hands. My husband has really dry hands, and after we hold hands, I have to put lotion on because he's absorbed any oils in my skin.

 

[Kath2003]

Mine are awful in the winter; I used Neutrogen's concentrated Norweigen Formula and it repairs them in a matter of hours:
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Fragrance-Free-2-Ounce/dp/B001E96OE2

(I paid less than $5 for a 2oz tube and it lasted me all winter - 2 applications each day).

 

[MELSMICE]

I use Camille Beckham glycerin hand cream. It's a little pricey but absolutely incredible.

Just ordered online & received a 32 oz. jar of it. (that's actually the refillable size that vendors use, but web-sites sell it online).

My hands used to crack & bleed also, but not anymore. The stuff is amazing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use Camille Beckham glycerin hand cream. It's a little pricey but absolutely incredible.

Just ordered online & received a 32 oz. jar of it. (that's actually the refillable size that vendors use, but web-sites sell it online).

My hands used to crack & bleed also, but not anymore. The stuff is amazing.

Do you have a link?

 

[LuvN~Travel]

DH has major problems with dry, cracking hands, and he swears by Avon Moisture Therapy.

I agree with him. Working at the Post Office really dries your hands out sometimes. During the winter especially I always keep a tube at the window with me. It can heal my chapped hands in a day or two easily! It's like wearing a nice silicone set of gloves from the get go.

Kim

 

[MELSMICE]

Do you have a link?

Here is the link to where I purchased it from. It's The Lamp Stand. I always get the French Vanilla because it's my favorite scent.

http://www.thelampstand.com/camille-beckman.html

I checked quite a bit online & prices were just about the same everywhere, this site was just a touch less expensive. Like I said, I ordered the giant 32 oz. container.

It's incredible hand cream. I go out of my way to get it. In fact, the day I ordered it, I had taken a ride to the little gift shop I usually buy it from & they were closed!!! I came home & immediately ordered it online because I had just run out!