15 replies to this topic

[kelowna52]

Hello, to all of you today. I have a quick question, I was wondering, I have cuts in five of my fingers and I was wondering if that's how the ulcers start. My rheumatologist told me the Raynauds is causing this, and told me to rub the heart cream on my fingers, but it won't stay on. They are very painfull, I've been using bandages like there's no tomorrow. I should have share's in there company! My finger nails are changing as well, there very dull in texture and ridget lines are starting to show up on them. My hands are hard on the palms like I work with concrete or I'm in construction or somthing else like that. My rheumatologist says my hands are like a man's hands who has worked very hard all of his life. Anyway if any of you have any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Take Care
Jackie S.

[Sweet]

Hi!

Sorry to hear about your hands. Have you tried paraffin dips? If not give it a try. It's nice and warm which helps, and it makes the skin feel soft. Most places that give manicure/pedicures have it available.

Good luck!

Sweet/Pam

[Heidi]

Hi,

Sweet's idea of a paraffin bath is a great one! I bought a home one and will often use it first thing in the morning when my hands are particularly swollen and sore. And, in the winter months, it warms them up quite nicely too!

Warm wishes,
Heidi

[peanut]

Parafin is lovely although if you have open cracks might it sting? I use a little antibiotic ointment till it heals then an organic aloe gel, followed by vitamin E oil on top. When they're super dry this is my super cure all: when I'm about to go to bed I lather my hands in an organic aloe gel followed by vitamin E oil and put cotton socks over my hands. You can buy cotton spa gloves for this but I use cotton socks. The socks trap the oil and the moisture letting it penetrate further into your skin. I fall asleep with them on my hands and I ususally wake up to them pulled off in the morning. Sounds kinda odd but I've done this every winter, even when my hands are bleeding raw and they're always baby soft and moist the next day.

[kelowna52]

Thank you so much for your advice. Actually my Daughter In Law gave me a Parafin wax unit for a gift a couple of years ago and I haven't tried it. Thanks for reminding me I have that right here. As far as gloves or socks go, I can't handle anything like that on my hands, but thanks anyway. I've been doing my holiday decorating and that in itself is hard on the hands. I'm getting there though. I love the holidays, and yes I do decorate kind of early, but I just love the ambiance, it makes me feel good just to sit and look at all of the lights and listen to holiday music. Take care and thanks again.

Jackie S.

[bookworm]

Hi, Jackie!

When I was diagnosed with CREST my doctor told me to wear gloves all the time. I asked if he meant when I went outside and he said, "No, all the time." I confess that I don't do that. How could you really? However, I learned to wash dishes in rubber gloves and have found that I have come to prefer it, although I thought I'd hate it! I have found that not putting my bare hands down into water any more than is necessary is a huge step in having hands that aren't splitting and cracking with dryness.

I also try always to have on gloves when I go outside in winter and certainly wouldn't think of grocery shopping without gloves -- summer and winter sometimes!

You said socks and gloves were not for you, but you didn't say why. If this is just something you'd prefer not to do, I advise you to re-think it!

Medically speaking, I don't know whether this cracking and dryness leads to the finger ulcers, but my first ulcer did appear right after I'd helped wash dishes after a wedding reception for 300. I can still remember how tender and sore my hands felt that night, and, a couple of days later I had an very painful ulcer that took a long time to heal. I'll take gloves over an ulcer any time!

I also bought some disposable surgical gloves like the ones they use in hospitals. I use these when I'm dusting or decorating for the holidays. They fit tight and it's easy to work with them on. I find that dusting seems to dry out my hands and that's why I like to have the gloves. I just feel that, by having the gloves on, I prevent a few little cuts and nicks. As you know, those little cuts and nicks just don't heal very fast if you have scleroderma.

Good luck to you. I hope you can get those hands comfortable again.



Mary in Texas

[LoriNC]

Jackie,

I used a parafin wax a lot last year and it worked beautifully. This year however my skin has progessed and is much tighter and more waxy looking so now I use bag balm on my knuckles and at night I cover my hands with cotton socks. I was given a medication to improve circulationwhen my knuckles started cracking, the name escapes me. If you would like the name private message me and I will have my husband dig out the prescription bottle.


Lori

[whirlway]

Jackie, I have had several doctors tell me that when I get those little cracks on my fingers, instead of buying stock in bandaid companies, just use a little bit of super glue. Also, gloves are a must! Rubber gloves for doing the dishes, gloves for driving, and gloves or socks @night after slathering your hands with lotion or bag balm. Also, after you wash your hands, you should try to lubricate them with some kind of lotion. Winter is coming, and that is the worst time for me and the cracks. Those little buggers hurt, so the more precaution you take the better of you are. Good luck.
~whirlway

[luvbnmom3]

I haven't experienced cracking skin on my fingers really. They get little slice in them often from adjacent finger nails....so I guess maybe that means they get cut easier than before (since all my life I haven't had adjacent nails slicing skin on fingers). I hope you can find relief for it, sounds like you got some good reccomendations here.

[miocean]

I was an art teacher and my hands were always in water so they cracked in the winter. Someone recommended a cream and it really works! My husband has an outside job and has the same problem in the winter but if he uses the cream his fingers don't crack. You can find it in the drugstore by the medicated lotions. You may send me a Private Message if you want to know the brand name of it. Good luck!

[kelowna52]

Hi Mary, yes I do wear rubber gloves alot. I just don't like the feeling of cotton gloves or socks on my hands. My hands are so cracked and dry they catch on everything I touch. It just gives me a funny feeling with cotton next to my hands. It's funny because I really enjoy cotton clothes. Thank you for your advice.

Jackie S.

[barefut]

I have a preschool in my home 2 days a week and I swear must wash my hands 40 times a day which is rough on them. I finally got smart and bought a soft soap with moisturizing lotion. I also keep hand lotion next to the sink.

This is a good topic with great replies. Thanks for starting it.



I used to have some bag balm but have since forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder! I will go get some.

[kelowna52]

Thanks mioceam, I did get your message, I will check into that. Thanks again.

Jackie S.

[HazelTree]

Hi Jacki,

I agree with everybody about wearing rubber gloves and using moisturiser, I think it is a nescessary precaution. The wax treatment is lovely and can help. I have problems with my fingers cracking also, they split from being in the cold too long, it is very painful. This brings back memories of last winter, trying to do my college assigments with blood streaming down from my nails when I had no plasters and had to wrap tissue around the affected fingers. Now, I use 'Liquid Bandage' to seal these cracks, it is like a plaster but is applied using a swab stick. It heals the cuts on my fingers within a day or two. I hope you can find this type of plaster as it eliminates alot of pain and awkwardness!

HazelTree

[peanut]

I love the Liquid Bandage. Its the best for those little bitty annoying cracks that hurt so much.

[kelowna52]

Hi Hazeltree,sorry I didn't get back to you right away, I've been having those chest pains off and on the last couple of days. I have tried the liquid bandadge, but I find it burns to much, so I quit using it. Thank you for your tip, I appreciate any suggestions.

Jackie S.