Washing my hands dozens of times a day, along with the cold, windy weather has taken a toll on my skin. My dry, cracked hands need help!
My guess is that we’re all washing our hands more than normal. I use hand sanitizer only as a last resort but any amount is more than I used before the pandemic.
My thumbs were especially dry and cracked, worse around the nail. While stitching under the magnifying lamp, my dry, cracked hands are magnified and look awful.
After finding the splinter in my thumb, right at the base of the nail, and not being able to find drawing salve that first night, I spread a little antibiotic ointment around the cuticle (because I had tried to dig the splinter out), wrapped a band aid around my thumb and went to sleep. The next morning, I took the band aid off, used the drawing salve I found and put a fresh band aid on the sore thumb.
Last night I noticed the splinter was out so I was going to put more antibiotic cream on it and another band aid one last time and I noticed the area around the nail was smooth and soft, the cracks didn’t look nearly so bad and I could hardly feel the cracks. I went back to my cross stitch fabric, rubbed it over my thumb and . . not snagging! That all gave me an idea. I go barefooted so much that my feet are always cracked. Once a doctor suggested I rub Vaseline on my feet, and then put on a pair of socks before going to bed. I’ve tried that and it works! I don’t do it every night and the socks rarely stay on all night but they must stay on long enough for the Vaseline to be absorbed because the sheets, at least so far, have not been stained or have greasy spots.
Last night I generously rubbed Vaseline on the skin and cuticle around the other thumb, wrapped it in a band aid and this morning, that thumb is amazingly soft and smooth! I know that some are against using a petroleum product – your choice! Don’t do it if you don’t want to do it. There are other things you can use.
I remembered that my grandma would coat her hands in Vaseline at night, then put on a pair of white cotton gloves so I ordered these gloves from Amazon. They are disposable but some people reported have good luck washing them and re-using them, though most said they will shrink and recommended drying flat instead of putting them in the dryer. Also, most said they run small. This may well give my dry, cracked hands the help they need!
Also, this is a recipe for homemade hand cream that I’ve been making for over 11 years now. I’m not recommending you do this but I use it on my face and neck and I love it. I don’t think there’s been a time since I started making this that I haven’t had it in my home. It does feel a bit greasy when you first put it on but the greasiness doesn’t last long. I would not put it on before doing cross stitch but I don’t put any lotion on before doing cross stitch.
I haven’t been using creams much as normal because of the cross stitching. I need to do better!
Linda B says
Vicks vapor rub is also excellent to use on hands and feet. Really good for dry cracked feet and any fungus. Such a comforting aroma too.
Dottie Newkirk says
I love that homemade hand cream – I’ve been making it for probably 20 years now…..I gave it and the recipe to several friends and they all swear by it. One friend said her husband used it on his hands (he was a woodworker) and his hands were always dry and cracked from the woodworking. It’s definitely good stuff!
Joyce says
I’ve been using O’Keeffe’s Working Hands on my hands, and then, because it is so thick, I follow up with a tiny amount of regular lotion. The regular lotion helps to give me more of that “soft” feel. I also have a tube of heavy duty moisturizer call Aquaphor. It is similar to the O’Keeffe’s, but it looks a little bit more like Vaseline in a tube. It is thicker than plain Vaseline though. My hands are in horrible shape from a combination of cold, dry winter weather and all the extra hand washing. It’s a struggle to keep them feeling ok. I tend to just let them go until I’m in pain. It’s my own fault, though…
Elle says
4 decades in the OR. I hear ya! Bag Balm and then gloves for 30 minutes. CeraVe is newer on the market and I’m loving it.
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks! I do use Bag Balm. I’ll have to check out CeraVe.
Arrowhead Gramma says
I order from Amazon Gold Bond Ultimate Healing 10 with Aloe in the tube and the lotion and it works so well for me. I live in the mountains and it has been extremely cold this winter. We have had over 60 inches of snow since December and lots of time has been spent outdoors shoveling with gloves getting wet etc. I swear by this product, use it multiple times per day and always before bed. It is not greasy. Good luck.
Christina Coats says
Hi Judy
I have discovered a hand cream that works leaves no residue so can handle fabrics without any residue . It is called Seams. Blooming marvellous. My nails are growing! For the first time in years and no rough skin to snag on fine fabrics or floss. Worth a try.
Rebecca says
I had a skin biopsy taken out of my shin, and my dermatologist instructed me to use Vaseline and keep it covered until it healed (which was a long time). It prevented my skin from drying up and puckering around my scar. Now I’ll try it on my cuticles!
Pat says
I love your recipe for homemade hand cream. I have substituted the regular baby lotion for the night time one. Added a couple drops of Lavender EO. I give this as gifts. Thank you for the recipe.
Twyla says
Thanks for the idea.
patti says
i’ve made your lotion many times, but our dollar store carries “creamy” vaseline, so that’s what i use. My friend makes it too but with regular vaseline and hers feels a bit stiffer and greasier than mine. i also buy the scented baby lotion and love the gentle fragrance
Twyla says
I purchased electric gloves years ago at the beauty supply chain and after using them it is like taking out new hands. It is like a heating pad with a hand shape. I do not know if they still make them as these have lasted for years.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s interesting. Thanks.
Becky Louise Rhodes says
My hands are also dry and rough. I should put on Vaseline or something before I go to bed. Should.
katie peterson says
I use Udderly Smooth on my feet after my shower. Helps my heals soften, lather it on and then my soxs.
Linda Garcia says
When you are working with textiles, they will suck the moisture right out of your hands. I notice that when I am working more in my sewing studio that my hands are even more dry than usual. I use lotion and touch my fabrics, because I always wash my quilts as soon as I am finished making them. But doing a cross stitch, you probably don’t want to wash that like you would a quilt, so I would probably also be more cautious with creams and lotions.
Judy Laquidara says
You’re right. Along with washing hands more, I cook so I always have hot dishwater in the sink and my hands are in and out of that all day and I’ve been playing in the dirt and that does it too. Some people do at least rinse their finished pieces but it sees like most everything I stitch has at least a bit of overdyed floss and I’d never want to wash that. If I’m careful to put good cream or lotion on them when ‘m not stitching, I think they’ll do a lot better.
Pamj says
Try Aquaphor, healing ointment..awesome creme. Use it on cuticles, hands, feet, cuts