Has anyone else got horrific "winter" hands?

[Clary]

Well I know you have cause I wash just reading on the washing hands thread.

Mine always go so manky at this time of year (sign that winter is here) - I have cracks in my fingers and general dryness all over.

So what can I do? Handcream at all times of course but has anyone got a top recommendation for this? It really gets me down and is painful as well, esp as I use a keyboard all day.

Any thoughts?

Mine are the same. No suggestions really as I need help too. I put tons of handcream on and use rubber gloves when I wash up. Not at all glamorous but neither are dry, cracked hands attached to a miserable woman, like me! It hurts

Me too.
My finger tips look and feel like I've been rubbing them on sand paper!!

I apply hand cream as often as I can but they always end up cracked and bleeding.

Neutrogena is very good, but even with that I have to use 2-3-4 times the amount they recommend to make my hands look nice.

My hands will make me look 70 yrs old when I'm 35 at this rate.

Yes. Cracked fingers and (especially) thumbs here too. I've been told to take omega 3,6 and 9 capsules, to try to help, but I always forget. But I do find that the Germolene New Skin stuff is good for covering the cracks up so they have a chance to heal - it's a bit like nail varnish, but it holds it together a bit, and keeps it covered much better than a plaster can. And I did buy this handcream , which I found good, but only really to use last thing at night, as it's quite greasy, I found.

My hands are continually cracking and bleeding at the moment, it's horrible.

It just seems like I'm always washing my hands (which can't help). When cooking I'm continually washing my hands as I handle different things. I have a potty training toddler so that's at least once an hour. I own tropical fish. It's amazing my hands are ever out of the sink, quite frankly.

Use Neutrogena Norweigan Formula hand cream but having to use it so frequently, I don't always remember until my hands start really hurting again.

yes mine get awful ,2 tips which help put cream on then rubber gloves and immerse in hot water ,helps cream be absorbed . put cream on before bed and wear gloves in bed for a night

oh, yes. When my hands start cracking, winter has arrived

It makes me whiff of porridge, but Aveeno cream is the only stuff that works. Other creams are too greasy.

ooh thanks for tip sand sympathy girls.
Highlander, I'd forgotten about aveeno, that cleared up DS1 excema many moons ago. Must see if we still have some.

(BTW smelling of porridge OK for highlander, yes?)

I've said it once, I'll say it again: Body Shop Hemp handcream.

Another MNer mentioned it.

It is FAB stuff. Even DH uses it - his job is mostly outdoors and he also valets cars and gets his hands wet, so he's prone to cracked skin.

It's the business.

Hi, I too suffer with this and was referred to hospital earlier this year when my hands and fingers became completely covered in cracks and sores. They advised that I should avoid washing them/wetting them whilst inflamed as it can lead to infection, and to moisturise at least 15 times a day!!!! I have found eumobase to be fantastic. Its non-steroidal, and has helped my hands no-end. Its available in Boots or look here for a free sample

I found sweet almond oil an absolute godsend.massage into hands and nails last thing at night.
Also i always keep a pot of vaseline ( rec. my dermatologist friend ) by the changing table and in changing bag-use it on all dry areas of baby and slap the left overs all over my own hands !
Sounds daft but nappy change is sevaral times a day so at thats a help.

sudocrem is good for hands as well

I second the vote for Body Shop Hemp cream and for gloves in bed at night. Also Clarins handcream is lovely but more expensive.

Aqueous Cream B.P. from Boots - very reasonable. Able to afford three big pots and keep them in kitchen, bedroom and near computer. When I feel that tightness slather my hands. You can also buy a tube for the car or handbag! Hey...they should pay me!

I use Eucerin (sp?), Snowfire and various others. Whatever jumps into my hand, really. Udder cream (available from farmers' suppliers outlets) is supposed to be really good but it is very expensive so I haven't tried that. It was recommended by a science teacher friend.

Ivor theengine, udder cream is thatto do with milking cows? lol

Will try the body shop cream, sounds good.

Nice (in a funny way) to know I am not alone too. what a club! The manky-hands brigade!

My hands look like those of a geryatric scullery-maid at the moment. I will be watching this thread with interest.

i use aqueous cream great stuff. will try hemp though as my hands look particularly shite with my nice gleaming diamond onthem

Anyone know where you can get those cotton gloves to wear at night?

boots or lloydds

Body Shop Hemp here too. Fab stuff. I think the Body Shop may sell those gloves too, if not Avon.

Message withdrawn

Have tried Boots before and never been able to find any... will try those other places suggested. Thanks

Aveeno Cream - the ordinary cream, not the hand cream.

It's made of oatmeal and seems to work well on all dry skin conditions

Gloves

Here is the full range of BS hemp products and gloves/socks