At this time of year we get inundated with queries about dry, cracked fingertips. It may seem like a minor annoyance compared to health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure. For those who suffer, though, this can truly make life miserable. Here are just a few sad stories:
“I have suffered from split fingertips for years, as has my brother. Even as I write, I am having difficulty typing with bandages on my fingertips!”
“Every winter my wife and I are bedeviled with split skin on the tips of our fingers. The tiny cuts are extremely painful.”
“I’ve been suffering since I was 17 (I'm 64 now). I thought after menopause my splits would go away or ease up some. Instead, I don’t get relief in the summer anymore. There are times I literally cry with pain. It gets so bad I drop stuff. I can hide them under gloves in the winter, but in the summer they’re out in plain view. Bandages bring me some relief, but don't solve the problem. As soon as they come off, the splits start to open again. I've seen so many dermatologists in my lifetime I have lost count. They prescribe a steroid cream and tell me to keep my hands out of water as much as possible… ha!”
Readers of this column love to offer suggestions to fellow sufferers. We have received dozens of suggestions. Here is a sample of the solutions people have offered to be helpful:
“As a lifelong sufferer of those painful cracks on fingers and hands, I am compelled to pass along a word-of-mouth tip. Zim's Crack Creme–a product I have never seen advertised–was recommended to me. It works wonders, and I am not one to exaggerate. It is just that good. It not only prevents cracks, it quickly heals the ones you have. It’s at pharmacies or discount stores in the first-aid section, or sometimes the skin care section.”
“I also have a similar problem which I treat very effectively with Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. It works like magic for me. In the past before discovering this remedy, my fingers would crack so bad they sometimes bleed and hurt like fury.” (Other readers have suggested ChapStick for cracked fingertips.)
“Here's my solution for split fingertips. Use grey duct tape. Cut in small pieces and cover the split. This keeps in the moisture and helps keep the split from opening up further. It may take several weeks. You have to be persistent to keep it covered and you may have to answer dumb questions about it, but it works.”
“I am a carpenter and I have had split fingers and thumbs every winter for years, I read about Super Glue being used in Vietnam by medics so I tried it. It works great, seals splits so the pain is gone.” (Some readers use liquid bandage for a similar result.)
“I have cracked fingertips every time the weather gets cold. The skin on my finger joints and knuckles will even split. I found a product called Badger Balm at the auto parts store and it is wonderful. I try to grease my hands in it at night and wear gloves to bed when having this problem.”
With cold dry weather getting worse this winter, many folks will be looking for a way to cope with splitting fingertips. We hope that some of these suggestions from other readers will help skin heal and ease the pain.
