Does Anyone Else Get These Little Cracks in the Skin of Their Finger Tips?
Question posted by Thor283 on 13 Feb 2012
Last updated on 13 December 2014
I used to call them cuts because occasionally 1 will even bleed a bit. But usually there's no blood and I am unaware of it when it happens. Later on I will feel a lot of pain from one and then I will look closer and see the crack. They can be very small like 1/8 inch or bigger like 1/4 to almost 1/2 inch. The pain is like that from a paper cut. I get these throughout the year, so it isn't only in one kind of weather, because I thought that myself. I just found 2 on 1 thumb. That's unusual, mostly I get only 1 on a finger. They also used to seem to appear when I don't sleep for 1 night, but not this time.
Does anyone get them and if you do, how do you heal them? Any ideas on ways to prevent them, or what's causing them? I'm open to any & all ideas.
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7 Answers
KA
karebare71
17 Feb 2012
wow..you described almost excactly what I get... they are just on the tips of my fingers and they are quite deep at times.I have tried taking flax seed for it as well as grapeseed oil(in pill form) both are cheap enough,I am on disability and get next to nothing to live on so I have had to be creative... lol.I also use the liquid bandaid as well as barrier cream, it is like moisturizer but it stays on your hands longer and provides a barrier (hence the name:) ..) I have never found that the weather or seasons affect when they happen,and it wasnt soap or hard water either, but another thing that did help was the humidifier at night, it is sooo dry in northern Alberta, so I find that it helps.For the real bad ones I have a cheap pair of thin gloves that I have and I load up my finger with moisturizer or even vasaline based creams and wear the glove for a few hours ,it softens them up and helps it heal faster.I also have used polysporin cream that has the topical analgesic in it,that way it numbs the pain a bit. Hope some of this helps!
Votes: +1
TH
Thor283
17 Feb 2012
Hi Karebare,
Haven't seen you in awhile, how are things going, especially with your bro?
Apparently these cracks are quite common and no one else has any great solutions neither. That doesn't make me feel better knowing people suffer with them, but at least it's not just me. You gave me an idea. I just don't have money till next week. In my pharmacy there is a package of these little finger gloves, thingys. They look like there are assorted sizes in the package. I have often thought of buying them, but I wasn't sure what good they would do. But now you gave me an answer. I should buy them and put skin cream in them and then wear them. Maybe that will help.
I was really hoping this was some kind of a vitamin or nutrient deficiency. Due to gastro issues I eat such a poor variety of foods that I can easily believe I'm deficient in anything. But no such luck this time.
I'm glad to see you're still here.
KA
karebare71
19 Feb 2012
Thanks Thor :) I hope that the finger gloves work and at least provide some relief.\my bro is doing ok but his docs are messing him around,they put him back on methadone and capped him at 90mg a day, he was on 40mg a day and four oxy 80's , his doc promised he could go back to his meds if suboxone did not work but she lied and he is in horrible pain now.He is trying to get in to my pain doc or another paon doc who belives in treating pain and not thinking that everyone is an addict. Our mom is very sick the last week so I am not on the computer as much, she is in ICU and has a waek heart and many other bad things, she suffers from very bad RA and is in a wheelchair , what makes it worse is she is a paranoid schitzophrenic and the steroids they have her on to strengthen her heartbeat are hurting her and they bring out her delusions.I will be on and off the computer as much as I can be.I hope that thigs are well with you ,thank you for all your help so far I am so grateful for this site and all the great people on here!
TH
Thor283
19 Feb 2012
I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. That's a really hard situation. Steroids make a person feel crazy even when they aren't schizophrenic. So I can't even imagine what she's going through.
Now with your bro, another factor may be that even the few weeks he was on Sub may have caused his resistance to regular opiates to go up somewhat. This is one of the things I keep pointing out that most Doc's are ignoring. And since they refuse to face it, they haven't studied it and so we don't know any facts about this whole phenomenon.
I also know what you mean about Doc's that are so addiction crazy that they won't treat their patients for what the patient really needs. My Doc refuses to treat me for my anxiety disorder and I've been going through hell for the past 2 months. I've even been dx with GAD by a prominent psychiatrist. I need a new Doc too. So I know what he's going through. I hope things start to look up for all of us.
LA
larry vance
14 Dec 2014
I suffered from this for 20 years and tried all the over the counter creams etc. A dermatologist tested it and told me it was not fungal. So I lived with it. Then I got nail fungus on a toe and on my thumb. My doctor prescribed a 90-day course of Lamasil (pills, not the cream). The nail fungus went away, and SO DID THE CRACKING SKIN. I mean just gone. Like normal, like I hadn't seen it in 20 years. The doctor's response was 'huh' as though he didn't think the two were connected, but I'm telling you the Lamasil fixed the skin problem. 3 months since, no recurrence. If you have a doctor who will listen to you, get them to put you on the drug. What can it hurt to try.
I get these once in a while and my husband gets them often (he plays guitar) I have found one of the best ways to PREVENT them is to put just a bit of chapstick on and around my cuticles and finger tips before bed. My husband showed me how he treats them and it is a bit unconventional but it does work. He cleans the area well and applies just a drop of superglue in the cracked area (it burns like fire!!) and closes the crack and this keeps it from hurting and it heals quicker too. I thought this was kinda weird but you know, when I had my gallbladder out they used medical grade "superglue" to close the incisions so I guess it is no worse than that. We've never had any infection or problems arise from doing this and it sure does help.
Votes: +0
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
Thanks Dzoo. I'm gonna pass on this one. I've actually got an aversion to super glue. I'm paranoid of that stuff. I won't use it for anything anymore.
IN
Inactive
14 Feb 2012
That's so funny Thor! Did we glue our fingers together one time??? I have done that so many times... The chap stick idea is a good one tho' I carry one in my pocket all the time. Will have to put one on the night stand now I guess too! I'll bet Dzoo carries one around down there too as dry as it is... Mary
LA
Larsy1966
14 Feb 2012
I would definately tell your doctor and get some liquid bandage. You just paint it over the cut and it's clear and this way you will not get an infection plus it will help with the pain since it won't be open. Laura (Happy Valentine's Day).
Votes: +0
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
Hi Laura,
I don't think I ever had an infection from these, but a liquid bandage should be easy to apply. I thought I saw that stuff at OTC? It's probably expensive.
I think I need a new Doc before I ask him for anything else new.
Happy Valentines Day to you too.
IN
Inactive
17 Feb 2012
Ouch! Liquid bandaid stings like crazy when you use that or super glue, & I already know you won't use super glue! hehe
IN
Inactive
14 Feb 2012
Hi Thor, yes, I get them in the winter from the dry skin here in the Midwest whan it's cold outside. We have a humidifier going too. They hurt like the dickens. I take about every vitamin known to man & nothing helps this as far as I can tell. I do the same as you, a little neosporin & a bandaid. Sure hurts to type tho, & then I want to chew on it too!(used to be a nail biter) I'll think on it a bit & get back to you if I think of something to help... Mary
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
14 Feb 2012
Try CornHuskers lotion or Udder cream. Kind of expensive & I know your situation, good luck... Mary
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
Hi Mary,
I never even heard of those 2 things. But I think you ruled them out by saying they're expensive. I can't do that.
I used to think they only happened in the cold air. But the past few years they're happening in all the seasons. I was really hoping you had a Vitamin for this. I'd take it.
IN
Inactive
14 Feb 2012
I think the Corn Husters is about $4 or $5 , & the Udder cream in a jar is about $7. At any drug store. I got a sample of the Udder cream at the dollar store for a buck. Hey the dollar store may have their own brand of it too. Vit. E rubbed on it will make it heal faster, but don't know of one to take except vit. E that would help. Sorry... Mary
My skin cracks all the time when it gets cold outside. Yes they can bleed too. they can even resemble paper cuts. Stress can cause dry cracked skin too. My best advice is to use a moisturizing hand soap, and hand cream daily, after EACH time you wash your hands. Also put extra hand cream on at bedtime. You should have the problem under control soon. The soap doesn't have to be expensive, and neither does the hand cream, just make sure that it is NOT antibacterial soap or hand cream. May all your problems be this simple :-)) Ellen
Votes: +0
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
Hey Ellen,
What's a moisturizing hand soap, Dove? If these things can come from anxiety attacks, as well as panic attacks I'm done for. I hope not.
IN
Inactive
15 Feb 2012
Dove is terrific. But like I said after you wash your hands and they are not quite dry, that is the time to put on the moisturizing cream. You'll be ok.
LA
lady from T.O.
13 Feb 2012
Is this a response to any medication you're taking, Thor?
Do you use a moisturizer, or cream on your body? It's not just a girly-girl thing. Men need to moisturize their skin, too.
Have you noticed it happens when you are using a certain brand of soap or shampoo, dish detergent? Anything your hand/finger could and would come in contact with. There are many good soothing, and relatively inexpensive creams out there. In fact there are some down right cheap creams-money wise, which might be of help. Let me know if any of this has been of any help-time allowing, of course!
Votes: +0
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
The only thing I can link these to is lack of sleep. That didn't really happen this time.
I try to use creams. I think they feel all yucky, especially on my hands. I wash them off after 10 - 15 mins. Is that long enough to keep them on?
I've been buying Lubriderm for years now. Is that any good? At the moment I have Lubriderm Advanced Therapy. How about this?
I'm not actually saying that creaming one's skin is a girly thing to do. But it is something you all do since you were young, probably. I think the average man does it when we really need to. So I have no idea which ones to buy?
SU
suzanne66
13 Feb 2012
Do you get the cracks on your toes and heals as well ? You should see your doctor if you do. Are your hands in water or chemicals frequently? If so you may need to use gloves or use a barrier cream as this could be the cause. Is your skin naturally dry? You may just need to use a good hand / moisturiser cream regularly. I would see your pharmacist first for advice.
Votes: +0
TH
Thor283
14 Feb 2012
Hi Suzanne,
I have to say no to the chemicals and water things. Although once the cracks happen, getting my hands wet makes the cracks worse. I don't get them on my toes or heels.
Once they happen I try to use Neosporin creme and a Band-Aid. That's works but it takes several days. I was hoping someone knew of a Vitamin or mineral deficiency. I used to get back craps in my feel while sleeping. Mary recommended 1000 mg of Vit C and it has worked like a charm. Maybe this is a similar thing.
