Dry Cracked Fingers

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

I agree with you Doc, severely dry, cracked skin on the fingers is not a classic textbook presenting sign of Raynaud's. My thinking was that impaired micro-circulation over time could lead to this symptom. I seem to recall a discussion a few years back with a Doc that had Raynaud' and she said that in the winter the skin on her fingers was always chapped and that would become dry and cracked to the point of bleeding. Given Brush Okie's history and CC, I thought that Raynaud's should be ruled out.

Side note: The Doc I mentioned was on the Advisory Board of a local VC company that I had presented to. She was keenly interested if we were working on a drug for Raynaud's. We weren't and that was the end of that story.

Highly unlikely without a history of color change, IMHO.

Poor blood flow to the hands is certainly a good thought and a first-pass check can be done with the Allen's Test (a quick google search describes this, and clear directions can be found on Wikipedia along with a couple diagrams) - although, if normal, it doesn't completely rule out distal ischemia (poor blood flow to the finger tips).

I'd try using coconut oil (sold in grocery stores) to moisturize your hands, it works wonders on skin and hair. There's a ton of info about it online.

[Sdiver]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

One of the best moisturizers out there is still petroleum jelly (classic Vaseline). One thing you could do to help with the severely dry/cracked hands is to moisten the hands in the sink, slather them in vaseline and wear gloves over the hands while you sleep. I've seen some dramatic improvements over 4-5 days for people.

For those who have chronic/recurrent nosebleeds in winter, a bad of vaseline on the inside of the nose while you sleep can work wonders, too.

One other great product to use for dry cracked feet and hands is Bag Balm. I know it sounds udderly ridiculous, but it works. Slather a good amount over your hands or feet, then wear either socks or gloves while you sleep, and you'll find it works just as well as Vaseline.

I can attest to Vaseline to working on culling nosebleeds. Especially during the winter, my snot locker gets drier than the Mohave in summer. As Doc said above, placing a bad of Vaseline inside my nose, works wonders.

[Javadrinker]

Originally Posted by Sdiver

One other great product to use for dry cracked feet and hands is Bag Balm.

I've used Bag Balm also, O'Keeffe's worked better and faster for me.

[Sacamuelas]

Doesn't sound like Raynaud's syndrome to me either. Every case I have seen has a distinct color change during the onset of the vasoconstriction. Doesn't have to involve all the fingers or even the full length of the finger, but its presence is obvious when you see it. Doesn't mean it isn't a possibility for your presentation, but I would investigate other causes first.

I like the thought process of food/dermal allergies. Normal allergy testing (pin prick type ) will not always identify the etiology. Contact (patch) testing will, however, sometimes reveal the culprit. In my daughter's case, it turned out to be cobalt metal. We removed most legumes (beans, chocolate, etc) from her diet and got rid of cheap jewelry that contains it and VOILA! For several years we had been down the steroid creams for acute use, oral steroid meds for extreme outbreaks, cetaphil, aquawhatever, and EVERY other OTC lotion known to man on a twice daily basis. haha While the steroids worked temporarily, the problem would always reoccur. The normal allergy testing showed no allergies. Finally, we found a different dermatologist that prescribed the patch testing.

Now, we don't have to use any lotions unless I let her eat chocolate or bean burritos as a treat. Hopefully, your dilemma will have as easy of a "cure".

Good luck.

[Red Flag 1]

Try some "Chap Stick",or your favorite brand of lip balm, to the splits. It covers the splits, and helps soften the skin up. Works for me.

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by WCH

I'd try using coconut oil (sold in grocery stores) to moisturize your hands, it works wonders on skin and hair. There's a ton of info about it online.

Hear, hear.
Great stuff.

Works from the inside, too.
I put it in my coffee (via blender).

[nurse1911]

Corn Husker's Lotion is another inexpensive and effective treatment that is easily found in many convenience and drug stores.