Pranton on tue 16 dec 97
Shelly
Sorry to say I don't have a cream, etc. to offer you. The only thing which has
worked for me is to take a strip of white adhesive bandage tape, tear into a
small width strip (approx. 1/8" wide) and tape the cut together (sort of an x
to cross the cut). You may need to add another strip to hold it down, going
the opposite way to wrap around the offending member, this can be a larger
strip 'cause it's usually out of the way. It doesn't cure it, but allows you
to still throw and after a couple of days, I can remove the strip. Most of my
splits heal fairly quickly, but some seem to take forever. Mine are usually
the thumbs, but the rest of my hands also do this occasionally. No creams,
ointments, etc. have solved this problem yet.
Good luck.
Lynne Antone
Darrol Shillingburg on wed 17 dec 97
The only solution I have found is to apply a bacterial ointment and bandaid
it or tape it as others have suggested. The ointment based, not cream
based, first aid antibiotic seems to soften the skin, keep out water and
reduce the bacteria. Two to three days and I can untape the divided digit
and return to dating my pots again.
Darrol in Elephant Butte, NM
DarrolS@Zianet.com
on the web site at http://www.zianet.com/DarrolS
OWL POTTER on wed 17 dec 97
I have never suffered from this problem myself, but have a friend who is a
potter who suffers from the very same cracking of the skin on her fingertips.
She went to many doctors, but the best tip she received was from the last one.
He told her to superglue the cracks back together and to put superglue over
the "mended" cracks. She claims that this actually works. It seems to me the
superglue would have to be renewed each time she threw, or during throwing.
Carolynn Palmer, Somerset Center, Michigan
John H. Rodgers on wed 17 dec 97
-- [ From: John H. Rodgers * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
Try a topical application of Vitamin E or vitamin E based ointment applied
directly where cracking occurs. Also add some fish oil to your diet. Like a
daily dose of cod liver oil or fish oil caps.
John Rodgers
Lots of El Nino snow this year - Already hit Alabama, and more than usual in
Alaska
-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
Date: Tuesday, 16-Dec-97 09:49 AM
From: Lynne Antone \ America On-Line: (Pranton)
To: CLAYART LIST \ Internet: (clayart@lsv.uky.edu)
Subject: Cracking skin
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Shelly
Sorry to say I don't have a cream, etc. to offer you. The only thing which
has worked for me is to take a strip of white adhesive bandage tape, tear
into a small width strip (approx. 1/8" wide) and tape the cut together (sort
of an x to cross the cut). You may need to add another strip to hold it down
, going the opposite way to wrap around the offending member, this can be a
larger strip 'cause it's usually out of the way. It doesn't cure it, but
allows you to still throw and after a couple of days, I can remove the strip
.. Most of my splits heal fairly quickly, but some seem to take forever. Mine
are usually the thumbs, but the rest of my hands also do this occasionally.
No creams, ointments, etc. have solved this problem yet.
Good luck.
Lynne Antone
-------- REPLY, End of original message --------
David Kanigel on thu 18 dec 97
To Shelly and others in pain,
I never saw the original message , only advice from another Clayarter, but I
too have cracked, dry, occasionally throbbing hands. The following are do
it yourself suggestions that many people have passed onto me. It's time that
we go public.
+AH4-VASELINE+ACE- I bought several jars and keep one in my studio, one in t
bathroom, the kitchen, and next to my bed. Every time I wash my hands I
put some on,especially around the fingertips. When they are really hurting
at night I lather up with the goop and sleep with cotton gloves on( they
sell them at most pharmacies).
+AH4-SURGICAL GLOVES. When I am mixing glazes, washing tools, and doing
other wet, but not necessarily things that I need to make direct contact
with, I try to remember to wear them. They come in big boxes, are
cheap(sometimes even reusable), and work ok. They come in three sizes so you
can get a pretty good fit.
+AH4-If all else fails see a dermatologist.
So now I've bared my soul and covered my hands. Hope it helps.
I'd be interested in cures that other people have used.
Yours in clay,
Judy
Kanigel+AEA-erols.com
Wendy Moore on thu 18 dec 97
The superglue trick really works! FYI, it was invented as a surgical replaceme
for sutures. I use it on paper cuts and those nasty cracks around the base of
your fingernail that catches on everything. Having been a costume designer for
twenty years before finding clay, my hands would dry up and snag every piece of
fabric I picked up. The superglue kept my hands going. I haven't tested it on
the type of cracks you are describing, it should work. It stays on for minimal
washing, not sure how it would stand up to throwing. Be well!
Wendy, the Apron Lady
OWL POTTER wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I have never suffered from this problem myself, but have a friend who is a
> potter who suffers from the very same cracking of the skin on her fingertips.
> She went to many doctors, but the best tip she received was from the last one.
> He told her to superglue the cracks back together and to put superglue over
> the "mended" cracks. She claims that this actually works. It seems to me the
> superglue would have to be renewed each time she threw, or during throwing.
>
> Carolynn Palmer, Somerset Center, Michigan
Dianegass on thu 18 dec 97
Super Glue really works and does need to be reapplied as it wears off. I have
used it for several years as an ICU nurse. It also helps to stop the pain. I
use it on any superficial cuts. Also use vit E creams and petroleum based
ointments, and bag balm.
LJTCW on fri 19 dec 97
When I have a crack on my finger, usually my thumb, I use an antibiotic cream
covered with a bandaid at night. The next morning before putting my hands in
alot of water, I push the crack together and dab on a drop of Crazy Glue. This
keeps it together while healing from the inside.
Louise
Laura Janssen on sun 21 dec 97
My hands are often in need of extra care do to gardening and playing/working
with clay. For several years, I have made my own suave simply because I
couldn't find what I needed on the open market. Easy to make and very
inexpensive.
I use an electric fondue pot that I purchased at Sears (I have seen them at
Payless as well). The pot is small, hold about 2 1/2 cups. Although I
haven't tried it, I think you could use a pot on the stove just as well on a
low setting. I chop about 2 cups of fresh comfrey ( dried from a herb shop
works fine except you would use half as much), put it in the pot and cover
with oil. I use Almond and Olive oil in equal amounts however any
good oil is fine. I let it heat for about 2 hours to extract the properties
from the comfy, strain off the oil into a clean container, and add grated
bees wax, about an ounce (more or less depending how stiff you want the
final product). Stir continuously until the bees wax dissolves and you have
a very nice suave. Serves to protect your hands and heals any wounds at the
same time. A little goes a long ways. I compost the comfrey after I strain
the oil off.
Hope this serves you well! Warmest of Holidays to all!
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