Thumb Sucker - cracked skin - HELP!

[Zoidy1]

Hi,
My DD (2yrs old) has sucked her thumb since she was 4 months old (a blessing at the time as it helped her to go to sleep...) For some reason recently her thumb has been getting sore and has now cracked across her thumb pad. but this hasn't stopped her sucking it. I have tried to put cream on it both to protect it & to stop her sucking it but she does it regardless.
I am not sure what to do - she is too young to ask her to stop - she doesn't understand. I have heard of thumb protectors but know nothing about them.
Please help - I don't want it to get even worse.:(
Thanks
Claire

[Orinoco]

Hi, my dd2 did this (like you it was wonderful when she found her thumb at 8 weeks, in our case because it stopped her constant crying!!). Our GP told us to put aqueous cream on it, because it moisturises, but won't cause any harm if swallowed. hth.

[yawningmonster]

Hi my 18mth old is a chronic thumb sucker often causing cracking. I use nipple cream on his thumb, it forms a kind of barrier, it worked a treat on my nipples when it was needed and does a great job on his thumb too.