# How do you reduce spot & seasonal dryness? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663 "2006-03-01T20:42:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/1 "2006-03-01T20:42:37Z")
I work in an office that has a great deal of paper and I live in an area that gets very cold and dry at this season. Every year around this time the pad of my index fingers begins to crack and break, and gets unbearably dry. I put on a LOT of lotion, Vaseline Intensive Care mostly. At work I’m probably putting on lotion every hour, if not more. It’s not working. I have stuff to repair the crack, but it hurts! I’m beginning to think the lotion idea is useless. Anyone have any other ideas on how to avoid this? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/2 "2006-03-01T20:54:56Z")
That happens to me every winter as well. Sadly, the only advice I can offer is to get a better lotion than Vaseline, which is okay for your body, but isn’t sufficient for really dry, cracked skin. I find that Neutrogena Norwegian Formula is great when that area gets really cracked. Philosophy Time on Your Hands works well, too. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/3 "2006-03-01T20:56:58Z")
I get this all the time on my hands in the winter. I’ve found Aquafor[http://www.drugstore.com/qxp13123\_333181\_sespider/aquaphor/healing\_ointment.htm](http://www.drugstore.com/qxp13123_333181_sespider/aquaphor/healing_ointment.htm) pretty effective. The real trick is to not put it on dry skin but on moist skin after having just washed your hands. I often use very warm, almost hot, water to rinse my hands and after shaking off the water I apply the lotion. Last much longer and tends to heal my hands fairly quickly. [Banana Boat After Sun Lotion](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=16175&catid=9717&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=9717&trxp2=16175&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH) is also great for this and much less greasy. ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/4 "2006-03-01T20:57:16Z")
My mom has a similar problem. (My own skin gets dry, but never to the point of cracking.) She’s used Eucerin with some success, and if it’s really bothering her she’ll coat her hands in Vaseline and cover them with white cotton gloves before she goes to bed. The technique works pretty well with cracking feet too. Or maybe you could try [Zim’s Crack Creme](http://www.crackcreme.com/), which I’ve heard good things about from friends but have never used myself. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/5 "2006-03-01T21:02:49Z")
Gag. I hate this time of year just for the dryness. I used to pile heavy boxes at my old job, dusty cardboard boxes. All year 'round - yuck! If I wasn’t piling them, I was folding them. Yeah, my hands were a _mess_. Anyway, eventually I found a moisturiser that “worked” for me - I actually used to use the Vaseline Intensive Care, too, but it didn’t seem to help. I switched to a brand called [Glysomed](http://www.glysomed-usa.com/htmlFrameset.htm) , which is a little thicker, and you really need to work it in, but _damn_, did that ever do the trick! Not right away, though - I used it often (by this I mean before work, and almost every hour at work) for about five days, and my hands suddenly became smoother and softer, until my hands were suddenly the envy of all the other females with dry, cracked hands. 😉 After they were restored to normal, I would just moisturise as needed - the moment my hands felt scratchy, I’d whip out the bottle. I’d keep it on me at all times. I don’t know if that particular brand is right for you, but you might want to look for a thicker lotion - it will feel weird at first, but your hands will thank you. I still keep a bottle of that stuff in my purse, and I live a relatively pampered lifestyle now. Also, another lady I worked with had great success with wearing a thicker lotion (also Glysomed) at bedtime, and wearing cotton gloves on her hands overnight. I’ve never had to go that far, but it seemed to work wonderfully for her. Anyway, I’m sure there will be other good suggestions, but that’s mine. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/6 "2006-03-01T21:06:16Z")
I have severe dry skin problems and here’s what I’ve found to work well. I use both Aveeno and Caress body washes, caress for daily use and the aveeno for ‘ouch, this is getting bad!’ use. Followup with aveeno body lotion with 5 minutes of getting out of the shower. I also keep a thing of vaseline lotion for use as needed. Hope that helps! Russell ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/7 "2006-03-01T21:07:19Z")
> [@sunfish](#): > > if it’s really bothering her she’ll coat her hands in Vaseline and cover them with white cotton gloves before she goes to bed. I’ve done this many a night. A few nights in a row and you’re set for a while. I also made it a point to always have my hands covered while outside during the cold months. I used Aquaphor as well because it was thick and didn’t sting my cracked skin. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/8 "2006-03-01T21:28:15Z")
Have you thought about protecting the pads of your index finger with a rubber fingertip? [Rubber thimbles](http://www.ericas.com/quilting/tools/86350b.jpg) are the most basic kind, but office supply stores often have fingertip protectors with grip pads as well. These help you grip individual sheets of paper you’re leafing through and protect your finger from wear as well. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/9 "2006-03-01T21:33:07Z")
I’ll second (or third) the Aquafor - it’s what they used in the hospital on WhyBaby when she was born before her skin grew in (yeah, she was born without skin. Pretty gross.) It can be found in the babycare aisle. Another thing you might try is [Lansinoh](http://www.lansinoh.com/index.php?src=directory&view=Products&srctype=display&back=Products&id=19&category=Topical+Treatments&pos=0,10,1) , an ultra-purified lanolin marketed to breastfeeding moms with sore, cracked or peeling nipples. Also to be found in the baby aisle - usually down low with the breast pads and other nursing supplies. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/10 "2006-03-01T21:34:10Z")
I just started working in a little beauty store and I’ve been using this stuff called YU\*BE. It’s from Japan and my elbows were really dry and rough and now they are really better. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/11 "2006-03-01T21:35:10Z")
And I’ll third or fourth the Aquaphor. Excellent stuff. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/12 "2006-03-01T21:38:58Z")
The main thing is to get your hands thoroughly wet before the hand lotion. Dry them lightly with a towel, then put on the lotion to seal in the water. I use Avon Moisture Therapy Hand Cream for Extremely Dry Skin. Several fishing buddies swear by Corn Huskers’ lotion. A farm boy I know uses Bag Balm, originally used for cow’s udders. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/13 "2006-03-01T21:39:36Z")
So many choices! I’ve tried Zim’s Crack Creme, it’s good for my heels I find. But not for hands. I don’t like, and can’t do, the Vaseline and hands-in-gloves thing. I already have restless leg syndrome. I quickly and easily get claustrophobic with things like that. I’ll look for the Glysomed and the Aquafor. While we’re on the topic, are these good for elbows, too? My elbows get awfully dry and scratchy in the summer, weirdly enough. And they turn a darker color then the rest of my arms, which is really weird. > [@WhyNot](#): > > I’ll second (or third) the Aquafor - it’s what they used in the hospital on WhyBaby when she was born before her skin grew in (yeah, she was born without skin. Pretty gross.) It can be found in the babycare aisle. Heh, I know all about it…I work in an organization that raises money to reduce prematurity & birth defects. I watched WhyBaby’s progress with a good deal of care. I don’t know if you ever got my e-mail back then, but I hope the website I sent you was helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/14 "2006-03-01T21:53:02Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > A farm boy I know uses Bag Balm, originally used for cow’s udders. Bag Balm is the bomb. The utter bomb. (Sorry, coouldn’t resist.) I have severe heel mcalluses/cracks, for which basically nothing worked until my podiatrist recommended AL12 lotion (an OTC preparation containing lactic acid, which helps break down dead tissue) layered over with Bag Balm and topped off with ankle socks left on overnight. My feet smell like freshly treated railroad ties, but I guess there are worse things feet can smell like…like themselves? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/15 "2006-03-01T21:59:03Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’ll second (or third) the Aquafor - it’s what they used in the hospital on WhyBaby when she was born before her skin grew in (yeah, she was born without skin. Pretty gross.) :eek: \ ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/16 "2006-03-01T22:11:53Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Heh, I know all about it…I work in an organization that raises money to reduce prematurity & birth defects. I watched WhyBaby’s progress with a good deal of care. I don’t know if you ever got my e-mail back then, but I hope the website I sent you was helpful. :smack: D’oh! Of course you do. That’s what I get for confusing your username with **Anastaseon** ’s again! Yes, I did get that email, and found the website very reassuring and helpful. And yes, Aquafor should help with the elbows, as well. Wash and loofah, then just pat dry and put the Aquafor over the damp skin. **Beware of Doug** , it was definitely…disconcerting. Poor little lamb. But she’s fine now, so it’s all good. Has the smoothest porcelin skin you could imagine! And thanks for the AL12 tip! My feet are…well…not porcelin, we’ll just leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/17 "2006-03-01T22:14:12Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I’ll look for the Glysomed and the Aquafor. While we’re on the topic, are these good for elbows, too? My elbows get awfully dry and scratchy in the summer, weirdly enough. And they turn a darker color then the rest of my arms, which is really weird. Mine do this, too, and I’m whiter than an Irishman’s ghost, so it looks really weird on me. I think, anyway, no one else seems to care. 😉 Anyway, I have a Glysomed body lotion, and that works okay, but I find the thicker stuff works better, though frankly, it’s kind of inconvenient - it feels messy and greasy on my body. I found that [St. Ives Whipped Silk](http://www.stives.com/products/show_product.cfm?pid=23) stuff works awesome on my elbows - I put it on all over immediately after towelling off out of the shower. As you may suspect, I keep an abundant supply of moisturisers at all times. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/18 "2006-03-01T22:16:47Z")
What was I thinking? Perhaps for dry elbows, what you really need is a [horny remover](http://www.engrish.com/detail.php?imagename=horny.jpg&category=Toiletries&date=2000-06-19). I know I sure do! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/19 "2006-03-01T22:23:13Z")
It would really help if I would fully read the OP. My advise was more for general dryness rather than specific to fingertips. Sorry about that. ---
**Author:** ![xbuckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9e8a1a/32.png) [@xbuckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xbuckeye)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663/20 "2006-03-01T22:37:35Z")
I sanitize my hands all the time and have found that frequent use of regular lotion at work (Lubriderm, I think) and then parafin/mineral oil after my shower, and sometimes again with gloves at night. The parafin/mineral oil is 1/3 block of parafin and 1/2c mineral oil, melted together in a double boiler and allowed to cool. They aren’t perfect, but they aren’t cracked, torn and bleeding either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-reduce-spot-seasonal-dryness/346663.md?page=2)