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nwilson02
Chatty Knitter
USA
214 Posts |
 Posted - 01/30/2007 : 06:42:15 AM
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In December I decided to use up a lot of my 1 and 2 skein stashes and knit hats as gifts for friends. I had some Lamb's Pride, Lopi Lite and some superwash wool that had been hanging around for years and it was either use it or give it away. But since I started my fingers are in horrible shape. They are very dry on the tips and my cuticles are cracking and very painful. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you solve it? Please don't say stop knitting. Help! ! !
Nancy |
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knitterbug1023
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 06:58:45 AM
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Try Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion. It's non-greasy (though it does leave your hands feeling greasy--it won't make your yarn greasy).
Robin
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I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.-- Augusten Burroughs
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calmmom
Gabber Extraordinaire
533 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 07:04:56 AM
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Got to use lots of tricks this time of year to keep your hands soft:)
I put chapstick on my cuticles every morning. I have a cheap one in the and I put it on, as I drive to work. I rub it into the cuticles.
I also like a scrub of seasalt and massage oil. Make up a jar, dip your fingers in (maybe a teaspoon or more), rub hands thoroughly, and rinse. Removes the stubbles and dry skin around your cuticles.
These tips are in addition to regular hand cream. I keep a pump on my desk, next to the kitchen sink, next to my bed... |
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booglass
Permanent Resident
Costa Rica
1987 Posts |
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Momma78239
Permanent Resident
USA
4859 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 08:48:27 AM
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Here's my trick:
Before bedtime, I put triple antibiotic ointment (the greasy stuff) and a bandaid on the cuticles that are looking ragged. It's amazing how much they heal during the night!
-WendyM[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Momma78239/smallspindlepic.gif[/IMG]
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. Exodus 35:25 |
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Ruby Plaid
Seriously Hooked
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 09:18:37 AM
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Burt's Bees makes a nice lemon cuticle butter. The Body Shop makes a nice almond cuticle butter as well. I use these when I do my nails but sometimes rub a little into my skin as well after knitting. They're both very nice.
My sassy knitting blog is here: http://www.rubyplaid.com
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Sticks and String
Permanent Resident
USA
1113 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 09:49:47 AM
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Udderly Smooth Udder Cream. It's inexpensive (under $2.00/regular size at Wal*Mart or $1.00/tiny size at Dollar Tree) and specifically formulated to eliminate dry, cracking skin on dairy cows' udders. It's non-greasy and won't leave a residue on your yarn. I get the one in the tube rather than the bottle because it's murder to get out of the bottle and the tube is more portable.
If your hands are really bad a coating of petroleum jelly and a pair of white cotton gloves or socks overnight will work wonders!
Jo |
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socks4all
Permanent Resident
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 10:28:38 AM
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| Burts Bees lemon balm for the cuticles (I really notice if I stop using it for a few days) and Aveda's Hand Relief. I don't know if Aveda is available easily outside Minnesota so here's the website. http://www,aveda,com My next choice is the Gold Bond product already mentioned. |
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elkymama
Seriously Hooked
USA
688 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 10:28:40 AM
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Queen of Cracked Cuticles and Dry Hands' Best Skin Treatments
1. A&D Ointment. Often it's kept in the baby section of the store. It's 15% lanolin and really soaks into the skin and the microcrystalline wax provides a protective barrier on the skin. Granted, it is thick and greasy, especially if you apply it too generously, but the lanolin seems to feel more natural than do mineral oils. Use A&D with the white glove treatment when you need an industrial-strength treatment.
2. Red Fox Cocoa Butter Creme is good grease too, though it seems to have less lanolin than A&D. Vaseline is similar and about as good.
3. Liquid Skin Oils -- Africa's Best Herbal Oil. Neutrogena Sesame Oil. Mink Oil is another nice feeling oil that absorbs and protects, but is difficult to find.
4. Revlon Night Cuticle Creme. All the cosmetic companies make cuticle creams, but the Revlon formulation includes beeswax.
5. Use your favorite hand lotion twice as often as you normally do.
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knitting_wounded
Gabber Extraordinaire
365 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 11:49:05 AM
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The only thing that's really worked for me has been the new Extra Care Healing Hand Cream from Johnson & Johnson. It even keeps me from biting my nails!
Check out the Knitting Wounded Tent: http://knittingwounded.blogspot.com |
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HilaryL
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 11:58:24 AM
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I just bought Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hand & Nail to try, because their regular lotion works better for me than anything else. My husband had taken a close-up picture of my hand holding my knitting and I was horrified! So far so good. I also use Blistek on my fingertips (though not right before I knit) and Liquid Bandaid when the cracks are very bad.
edited to add: I don't think I'd recommend the Vaseline HH&N - it doesn't seem as effective even as the regular Intensive Care. I'm going to try some of these other recommendations, though ...
http://hilaryknitstoo.blogspot.com/ |
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nwilson02
Chatty Knitter
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 5:27:33 PM
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Thanks for the help. I bought some Dr. Watkins cuticle creme today and I hope it works. I've tried the neosporin and I use heavy duty hand cream several times during the day. I'll keep you posted about the creme I bought today.
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PuppyMomma
Chatty Knitter
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 5:32:28 PM
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I've been using Everything Balm from GoodiesUnlimited.com. It helps, but I also deal with a lot of paper, so I'm kind of fighting an uphill battle.
One of my friends is a manicurist, and she told me not to use commercial hand cremes more than 2 or 3 times a day. Most of them have alcohol in them, and that dries out your skin if used too often.
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www.funkyjewtopia.com
Every day may not be a good day to die, but every day is a good day to eat pancakes. |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 6:46:37 PM
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No one mentioned my favorite remedy for cracks or hangnails - super glue. I bought the brush-on type, but some with a tiny applicator tip works just as well. For cracks, hold the skin together, glue, and let dry before you let go. Painful cracked cuticles - try to push into place before the glue dries. You can still use those healing lotions, but this really eliminates the pain, and by the time the glue wears off in a few days, it's healed. I also use this for paper cuts - works like a dream. Of course, you always make sure your hands are clean before you start, and try not to get it on your other fingers!
This is what many ER's do instead of stitches on the face. I guess it causes less scarring.
Jan
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knittingmama
New Pal
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2007 : 8:00:12 PM
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Heal My Hands. It's a solid balm in a tin--looks like a round cake of soap. Warm it in your hands and rub in. Love to use it right before bed.
http://www.thneedfulthings.blogspot.com/ |
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The Irish Ewe
Permanent Resident
USA
1052 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 07:37:38 AM
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Yup, Heal My Hands. Made by a spinner. Only thing I use.
If you need heavy duty help, load up on HMH, and slip some gloves on. Silk gloves are best, or cotton, but you can wear plastic medical gloves if need be. Hubby did this and slept with the gloves on - Aside from the funky feeling of rubber gloves on your nose at 3am, he loved the results, hands softened up a lot.
Of course, up your water intake - If your skin is dry, you're not drinking enough water :)
Dagny of The Irish Ewe
Norway, Maine
Work - http://www.TheIrishEwe.com
Life - http://www.aLifeAutistic.com |
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Mama Bear
Gabber Extraordinaire
417 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 08:24:47 AM
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In addition to water, you may want to consider upping your omega3 oils. When the body is low in these, the skin and hair show it first as the body tries and retains the omega 3 oils for the heart and essential organs.
There are some studies that appear to be well done, that also indicate low omega 3's can play a role in depression, and seem to be particularly helpful for post-partum depression.
Taking a bath or handsoak with epsom salts is an excellent way to soften up the skin and shed the dry skin.
Mama Bear
[img]http://beartoes.com/images/bearbutton.jpg[/img]
My Blog:www.beartoes.com |
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gwtreece
Permanent Resident
USA
7254 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 08:30:41 AM
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I actually use a product called Hoof-Alive on my cuticles. It works wonders. Yes you can use it on the horse's hoof but my feed store sells it to the women for their cuticles.
Wanda
My Blog
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simpleknitter
Chatty Knitter
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 9:48:01 PM
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| Udderly smooth is great stuff. get it at trader joe's for best price. we buy the big jars and fill smaller containers with it. |
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convmiller@verizon.net
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 10:41:53 PM
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| I use this thing called Gardeners 60 second fix kit from Crabtree & Evelyn. There's a sea salt kind of scrub that you use first with a moisturizer in it. Then the lotion! It's a shea butter base, it's not greasy, and it smells like rosemary. I couldn't get through the winter without it. I keep the lotion in all of my knitting bags. |
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loretteirene@comcast.net
Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2007 : 10:50:56 PM
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Here's what I use. I make it up in a huge batch, and put it in a tupperware container with a lid when it's cool. I save little tea tins and put it in smaller containers to carry around. It's similar to Burt's Beas products. I do it in the microwave, and generally use half olive oil and half almond or jojoba oil. I vary the essential oil, but usually use some combo of rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus, adding it a few drops at a time until it smells right. (Not really rocket science!)
http://www.socknitters.com/Tips/handcream.htm
Lorette
The Knitting Doctor
http://mousepotato.typepad.com/knittingdoctor/ |
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Topic |
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Dry and Cracking fingers and cuticles
