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Sucking it up with cracked thumbs
Cracked thumbs suck  
By Jeff Sherman RSS Feed Twitter Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Jeff Sherman

What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published Feb. 8, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
Tags: skin care, winter hygiene, paraffin dip, thumbs

In a sure sign that our home is way too dry, my wife and I have contracted a bad case of winter thumb crackage. You know what I'm talking about, your fingers get dry, the skin cracks and on a thumb, especially, it hurts like hell.

We've tried a few humidifiers, both have been worthless and too loud for regular use. We use lotions, wraps and other random ointments. Nothing works. The thumbs crack, we hurt and it's just not fun. Using the remote, the Blackberry, even zipping up a coat become painful chores. I know, cry me a river. But, seriously, it's painful. Especially the throbbing.

What's the cure? Time and good use of Band-Aids, we've found. Some have suggested paraffin dips for our hands. That's a bit girly for me, but my wife tried it and it worked for a while. But, as you'll see in the photo above, her thumb is now back in prime winter cracked skin mode.

Help us. Do you have a cure, a suggestion? Our thumbs need you.

13 comments about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by jimhammer1 on Feb. 18, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (report)

Thanks for the tip. I'll try it and let you know how it worked for me. I keeping thinking my thumbs' problem started when I purchased leather work gloves from China. I too have tried balms, New Skin, lotions, bandaids, anti-fungal creams, etc. - nothing has worked so far.

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Posted by danno on Feb. 12, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (report)

Use Dove soap only. Check if you have zinc deficiency. Try Omega-3 supplementation. Take luke-warm showers.

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Posted by Washbush on Feb. 10, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (report)

OK ... Everyone just stop hyperventilating and relax. I know this curse, and suffered with it for over 11 years. I thought I had tried everything ... from liquid bandage, to clear fingernail polish and even crazy glue. Forget all of them, they don't work. There is no common hand lotion, including Cornhuskers, or any balm, including udder balm, that will make a dent in the cracks. So, what's a guy to do? Head over to Wallgreens and ask for "CARMOL 20". They will not have it out on the shelf, it is kept behind the counter. Whatever it is that is in it, that makes it stay behind the counter, is just what is needed. It works great! It is a non prescription product, but still it is kept in the back. And, if you find yourself wearing work boots all day long, and the skin on your feet is starting to turn to leather, give CARMOL 20 a go on them too. This is miracle stuff. I would love to have someone try it and then report back here with the results. Go for it! Bubba John

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Posted by mgr452 on Feb. 8, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (report)

I work retail, and not only the thumbs but most of my fingers get those cracks and hurt like hell. The solution? Crazy Glue!! Just put a drop or two on the crack, blow on it to dry, and it creates a hard shell that protects the crack and lets it start to heal. The stuff wears off after maybe a week, but you can re-apply as many times as you want. It stings a little when you first apply it, but it works!! I've tried New Skin, but that wears off a lot faster and does not protect like the Crazy Glue. A liitle hint---don't press your fingers together after putting on the glue, or you well have a heck of a time getting them apart.

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Posted by judi on Feb. 8, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (report)

O'Keeffe's Working Hands Creme is excellent. It is available at Lowe's and Farm & Fleet. Developed by a pharmacist. I've used it several years and no longer have cracks in my thumbs in winter.

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Show me the other 8 Talkbacks
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