Metal Detecting Forum

during the winter months. My finger tips cracked every winter all my life, very painful. Hand lotions never helped but adding 2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil to my daily diet did. Worked for me, no problem for the past 2 winters. Got that tip from a food website.

Olive oil and mineral oil helps my hands after digging in the dirt all day because I usually don't wear gloves. I just apply directly to the hands, works wonders.

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Bells and whistles are nice, but nothing will substitute for the basic understanding of the hobby.

CTX 3030, V3i, M6 W/Bigfoot coil, Cibola/modified

Good tips

I have the crack finger tip problem, while I was at the doctor for a checkup I ask him what could be done. He didn't have any good prevention ideas but he told me to just dab a little super glue on the cracks and that would help with the pain. That works pretty good, but prevention would be best.

Ron in WV

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Ron in WV
Retired May of 2010
MD'ing off and on since 1981

Badger products makes some good balms for hands etc. I use them on cracks in my feet, and over night they are gone- it has olive oil, beeswax, two other oils and more- really the miracle cure. After detecting with a fellow wearing gloves, who I thought was crazy, I tried a pair. Wow, what a difference, I dont get cuts, perma dirt stains on my hands, steering wheel etc. I use some by Atlas that have some nitril coating, the glove is breathable, and semi waterproof, but also allows for great sensation at the finger tips. They are washable also. I wont go without them now. Also cheap around 5 bucks, CO

In life---timing is everything, so be real careful with the 'super glue' on the fingertips suggestion...You might be forced to go every day with your new appendage!

Just could not resist.

I have had that problem for years, especially when I worked outdoors.
Tried all kinds of products, cornhuskers, avon, lubriderm even Amlactin and more...not much really worked well.
Then I was recommended UDDER Cream... Udderly sMOOth body cream to be exact, by a co. named Redex industries.
12 oz jar costs about $3.99, has a cow hide, black and white color pattern on the jar.
One jar lasts me at least one whole winter, more like 2, really, and that is with generous daily use.
Instantly starts to heal up these cracks, and I just keep it handy and use it all winter and no problems at all, ever since.
I have told others with even a more horrible and painful problem than I had, and they all came back and thanked me profusely.

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Vaquero, F2, Compadre, Compass Judge 2 and 2 Propointers in case I lose one!
2013 totals...$93.62...2 gold rings, 1 gold chain and 4 pieces of silver!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/2012 07:56AM by REVIER.

Quote
REVIER
I have had that problem for years, especially when I worked outdoors.
Tried all kinds of products, cornhuskers, avon, lubriderm even Amlactin and more...not much really worked well.
Then I was recommended UDDER Cream... Udderly sMOOth body cream to be exact, by a co. named Redex industries.
12 oz jar costs about $3.99, has a cow hide, black and white color pattern on the jar.
One jar lasts me at least one whole winter, more like 2, really, and that is with generous daily use.
Instantly starts to heal up these cracks, and I just keep it handy and use it all winter and no problems at all, ever since.
I have told others with even a more horrible and painful problem than I had, and they all came back and thanked me profusely.

Another product is called Bag Balm. It is based on what dairymen use on their cows. It works well.

If you live within the growing range of Balsam Poplar, there is a good home remedy that works great.

Take a hand full of buds from a Balsam Poplar tree during the dormant season. They are long, pointed, brown and sticky. Shortly after leaf drop is best. Drop them into hot, but not boiling lard. Use a standard container of lard from the grocery store, about a pound. Be careful not to scorch the lard. Let the buds steep until they have opened and released their resin. The lard will turn a dark yellow. You can leave them as long as you want so you get all the goodies out of them. You may have to reheat the mixture.

Then filter the hot lard and buds through cheese cloth to filter out the buds. Let cool a bit and then pout back into the lard or similar container. Let cool.

I keep a small container in the medicine chest, and the rest in the freezer.

THIS IS THE BEST STUFF IN THE WORLD FOR HEALING BURNS, CUTS, HANGNAILS, AND PAPER CUTS, although paper cuts take a bit longer. Many times I have put this salve on a sore place, and the next morning I have forgotten all about it. I have heard from friends that it has healed all kinds of skin disorders. One even said it has cured warts, although it took a while. I can't verify this.

Several years ago my face and chest had a tete-a-tete with a chainsaw to the tune of 150 stitches. My neighbor made me some of this salve to use, and the plastic surgeon who sewed up my face couldn't believe how well it healed: no further treatment needed after the accident. He even wanted some of the salve!

If you live where Balsam Poplar grows, give it a try.

Mike.....

Let's try to keep this thread somewhat related to..............

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Bells and whistles are nice, but nothing will substitute for the basic understanding of the hobby.

CTX 3030, V3i, M6 W/Bigfoot coil, Cibola/modified

Sorry. Got carried away.

Hi,jabbo,great tip about the olive oil! I've been using it too now for awhile and I believe it has helped lessen.my cracked fingers ,and I always had the problem pretty bad.Best cure I found once I get a cracked/split finger (sometimes 3 or more). is to apply Vaseline(100%) inside a baggie at night and a couple of BandAids during the day.. May take a couple of nights/days to heal all the way but it was always my best "somewhat quick" cure. Usually some aids/cures work better for some than for others, but the olive oil would sure be the thing for everyone to try as olive oil is known to be good for the body.On one of these forums awhile back there was a discussion about wearing gloves when digging.Besides helping prevent glass cuts/slashes, gloves can also help in preventing some very bad fungal infections some of which are "deadly".I had personal experience with a fungal infection soon after I began detecting in 69. Detecting in old homesites, or wherever, we all need to "really" realize how much potential hazard is encountered there.I like to also mention that many younger folks have no idea what they are digging into bare handed(besides glass and metal shards) but must realize that on the old places that besides the human waste there was the livestock, and that the chickens, ducks, etc.and dogs usually had "free range" and were everywhere and then some, of where you are digging. For what it's worth I thought I would mention the gloves..HH, Charlie

Every winter my hands became ultra dry and rough like sand paper and my finger tips cracked open. Metal detecting in winter made them worse than any other activity. Cracked finger tips are really painful and they stay that way till the winter is over. Thanks to those who responded with treatment suggestions. Jabbo