Ann Kenworthy on mon 15 mar 04
Hi, all y'all with cracked thumbs and plain old dry skin, achy hands.
If you have a microwave and don't want to invest in yet another piece of
equipment for warm parafin treatments, try what has worked for me. This
works for sore joints as well as cracked skin and dry skin.
Thoroughly wet a hand towel (a nice thick terry one is best), wring it out,
and fold it up and nuke for 2 or 3 minutes in the microwave. You want it
hot but not burning.
Meanwhile, slather one hand with the preferred stuff -- bag balm, lubriderm,
whatever -- and slip the hand inside a ziploc bag. (Obviously, you don't
have to close the bag.) Then remove the hot towel from the microwave and
wrap it around your hand that has the bag on it. Place another towel on
your lap or leg to keep them dry, place the wet toweled hand on that, and
sit back, listen to wonderful music while the heat from the hot towel
penetrates and does its work. Usually the warmth lasts from 5-10 minutes,
longer than parafin...and is so nearly free! You could even put the toweled
hand inside another, bigger ziploc bag to prevent everything from getting
wet. I do one hand at a time, and it's wonderfully relaxing. Have even
done feet, and that works too. At the end of the treatment, massage the
hands and rub in the goop. A wonderful way to relax fingers is to pull on
them gently and slowly a few times when they are warm and relaxed.
Feels great.
Take care, all y'all.
Ann, in Maryland, where the spring peepers are out in full force and the
potatoes are in.
Phyllis Tilton on mon 15 mar 04
The Bag Balm, Vaseline or other cream or ointment of your choice will be fine and work very well IF you will take a few minutes to soak your hands in nice warm water. Dry quickly and while moisture is still in the skin, apply the balm or lotion, then the gloves. Might take several nights of wearing doing this but the water is a key ingredient. Someone coined the comment that Water Heals.
Another very important part of the skin care, be sure to clean the hands thoroughly after working in clay. Use a nail brush and again, warm water. Apply a lotion then--again helping to retain moisture in the skin. This technique also helps prevent any bacteria invading if there are breaks in the skin.
In Clay
Phyllis Tilton
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Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 15 mar 04
I have extremely dry skin, and my hands tend to bleed when I work a lot and
winter is here. Thanks for reminding people about the importance of the
nail brush. Made a huge difference for me.
I also wanted to add one thing to the hand care list. Have a manicure.
Seriously. Guys too. I used to shun them, as I wasn't going to have long
painted nails, but have begun to have them a couple times a year,
particularly before a big show (after the work is made). I get my nails
buffed - no polish. I also indulge in the paraffin treatment, which softens
your hands and treats the scaliness. I no longer joke about my ugly hands -
which are no longer ugly. And my hands feel better, too.
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