Hand Cream

[Ed Strong]

This time of year my hands get very dry and are prone to splitting on the tops of my thumbs. Apart from being uncomfortable, the skin catches on my tights and clothes. Does anyone have any suggestions for a really good handcream that will cure this? I am using Palmer's Cocoa Butter at the moment.

[socasa]

Hemp hand protector from the body shop is ace. get the littel mittens to go with it and at night time wear them and you'll wake up with baby soft hands.

[whiskeysheri]

My dad has this same problem; he does a lot of maual work. I bought him some tubes of Crack Creme (ahem!) off eBay (think it's American), and it's the only thing that's worked for him.

x

[Ed Strong]

Thanks for your answers. Might try the Body Shop first. With something called Crack Creme (must have a different meaning in the good ol USA) you'd be inclined to use it for treating piles! =oO

[drchasuble]

My mum swears by this cream that she used to put on cow's udders when they get chapped (I grew up on a farm, I'm not just some random animal fondler) It's apparently quite easy to get hold of, it's lanolin based and really does the trick.

[Ed Strong]

drchasuble, don't suppose you remember what it's called? I can't walk into the chemist and ask for something 'that you put on cow's udders', I'd get some really peculiar answers!! :-)

[Waaii]

Skiers, surfers and outdoor workers use lip baln you can also use Heel Balm from Boots on hands too.

[drchasuble]

Udder-eeze.

No seriously, I'll have a little google and maybe ring the old lady and get back to you.

[Ed Strong]

drchasuble - Thanks, much appreciated.
Waaii - I have some of that Aussie Heel cream, but didn't realise I could also use it for hands (thick or what?). Mind you, the fact that it contains urea probably put me off :-{

[drchasuble]

Neither Muvver nor me can remember the exact brand but I've googled a bit and these are pretty much what they were like.
http://www.notjustforcows.co.uk/
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Eq uimins_Skin_Treatment.html
Apparently some are used by professional rowers and cyclists so it must work.
I hope it works. DrC

[lainiej]

L'Occitane hand cream is gorgeous and very thick and smells yummy. E x

[Ed Strong]

Thanks everybody for taking the time to answer. Now have lots of choices to try out.

[happy_face]

drchasuble - I know the cream you're on about, but like you I don't know what it's called. My mum (who's Danish) also swears by it and we were always creamed up on hands, knees, feet as kids. In Denmark they call it Cow Udder Balm. Would be easy enough if they called it that too here

[pinkspangle]

I suffer from the same problem Ed strong and i have tried almost everything on the market! I have recently brought some Night Dew (i think thats what its called ) from Avon. Its an oil that you apply around your fingers and nails before you go to bed. I have only been using for a week and have seen an improvement!x

[froggequene]

I use Dove Hand Cream during the day, I put on my hands after washing if they feel particularly dry and on cold winter mornings I use Neutrogena hand cream.

[shaneystar2]

You can buy a cream called Diprobase over the counter at the chemist . This was recommended to me by another Aber.
Brilliant stuff for all sorts of itchycoos but particularly brilliant for sore chapped hands.I had the same thing .Splitting and what I call spud peelers thumbs and it cleared it up completely.I always use this now as a hand cream and you can wash your hands with it.It's an emollient and forms a barrier on the skin.Not greasy and you can get it in a tube or pump bottle .

[Ed Strong]

shaneystar is Diprobase expensive as what you describe (spud peelers thumbs) sounds like my complaint as my hands are always worse after the weekend when I've been doing housework and preparing food ie peeling veg? I do wear rubber gloves but my hands still seem to suffer. I also have psoriasis which probably explains why my skin is so dry and sensitive.

[shaneystar2]

A tube is just short of three quid and the big pump bottle around a tenner .Cheaper on line but you have to take account of postage .
http://www.pointpharmacy.com/shop/customer/sea rch.php?substring=diprobase

Also all about it here
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004782 .html

I get mine at Boots .!

[Ed Strong]

Thanks ever so. Might give that a go first and work through the others. Perhaps they would be better when my hands are not so desperate for some TLC.

[shaneystar2]

Glad to be of help. It is really good and worth the money.I found that if I rubbed it in especially around the splits and round my nails and then put rubber gloves on, the heat from the hot water when you are washing up for example helps it to soak right into the skin. Another tip ,always put some sort of cream on your hands anyway before you wear rubber gloves.I have found that the stuff they line them with irritates my hands.

[Anna2006]

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv is the best handcream I've ever used. It is rather pricey at around �60, but you only need a little and it is v v v v gd!