Q. I have been washing my hands so many times a day to avoid colds and flu that they are incredibly red and rough. My fingertips are cracked and split and it hurts to type on the computer. My hands don’t usually get this bad till the middle of winter. Normal moisturizers aren’t cutting it.
A. Many readers sing the praises of instant glue to seal cracked or split fingers. If you prefer pharmacy-grade glue, try Band-Aid brand or New Skin Liquid Bandage.
It sounds as if you need an industrial-strength moisturizer. Dermatologists often recommend Lac-Hydrin 12 percent, which is effective but pricey. Farmers have long used inexpensive products like Bag Balm and Udder Cream (a sponsor of our radio show) on their hands because they work well for chapped, red skin.
We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care and Treatment with dozens of other solutions to dry skin, eczema and cracked fingertips.
