Cracked fingers...

[rc]

I sometimes get these cracks in the tips of my fingers, right by the corner of my fingernails. They're not very big, but they go deep, to the point of bleeding on the keys. You can see how this would be a nuisance...

Before, I thought they were from my job which tends to dry out my hands brutally (skin like velcro ). Which is probably a contributor. Recently I've been cutting back my work schedule for that reason.

So my hands are back to normal, no longer the consistancy of velcro and all healed up. Then I seem to have developed one of these cracks today anyways. Since it wouldn't have been work, I'm thinking that the only other cause could have been that I cut my nails too short + playing too much (or too violently).

I'm curious, does anyone else get cracked fingertips? It's become a problem; makes practice painful and prone to develop bad habits, and doesn't heal if I practice.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

It might be a reaction to something. I know that sometimes my fingers sweat alot when I play. I think that you should let them heal and perhaps see a doctor.

Hope this helps.

[dinosaurtales]

I have this problem, too.  Always have.  My fingers are just really dry.  I wear bandaids a lot.  if the cracking gets going, it really hurts and takes forever to heal.  Anybody know a way to keep it from starting?

[dinosaurtales]

I have this problem, too.  Always have.  My fingers are just really dry.  I wear bandaids a lot.  if the cracking gets going, it really hurts and takes forever to heal.  Anybody know a way to keep it from starting?

[franzliszt2]

My mum get's cracked skin on her hands. She isn;t a pianist, but she puts skin crem on, just the sort women get from the beuty shop or whatever they called, I'm sure they do men's versions, or womens if your a women lol. It works on her

[letters]

you prob just wanna put skin cream on, everyday, and thatl help it.

[alwaystheangel]

You're from alta so you can find this cream at Wal Mart, It's called Udder Creme or something to that effect and it's a white bottle with a red and black label.  It used to be used for cow's udders but it's the best cream you can get and is made specifically for "cracked udders"  hahaha but they now make it for people.  There is also a cream called Docter George's cream which is excellent as well.

[abell88]

Badger Balm is also good...without it the skin on the back of my hands cracks and bleeds in the winter. Best to put it on before bed as you don't want to get the stuff on the keys.

[rc]

hahah, Udder Creme!

Thanks for the advice. I have been using regular lotion when the hands become dry. But that was what's different about this time, is that my hands aren't dry at all. I'm sure that when they are dry, that helps cause the cracks.

I also remember that I didn't get the cracked fingers before I started playing piano, so hammering the fingertips on the keys is also a contributor  ...

and the only other factor I can think of right now is having short fingernails, where the flesh underneath might get pushed up into the edge of the nail while practicing. The recent cracks came after I gave the claws a trim...

I'll experiment around a bit, try keeping the nails a bit longer and see if it persists. If that doesn't work I'll give some of these funky-named creams a go. Hell, I'd grab some Udder Creme just to be able to say that I have some Udder Creme .

[edona7]

All good suggestions for chronically dry hands.

There is also a condition called fingertip eczema, an allergic skin condition that is exacerbated by dryness, lots of washing of the hands, or exposure to chemicals.  I would recommend for home treatment using a dye-free, perfume-free moisturizer such as eucerin or aquaphor, slathering it on at bedtime, and wearing gloves during the night.  If this doesn't result in decent improvement in a week, you might want to consider seeing a doctor for steroid based creams.

Clarissa
piano crazy doctor

[alwaystheangel]

hahah, Udder Creme!

Thanks for the advice. I have been using regular lotion when the hands become dry. But that was what's different about this time, is that my hands aren't dry at all. I'm sure that when they are dry, that helps cause the cracks.

I also remember that I didn't get the cracked fingers before I started playing piano, so hammering the fingertips on the keys is also a contributor  ...

and the only other factor I can think of right now is having short fingernails, where the flesh underneath might get pushed up into the edge of the nail while practicing. The recent cracks came after I gave the claws a trim...

I'll experiment around a bit, try keeping the nails a bit longer and see if it persists. If that doesn't work I'll give some of these funky-named creams a go. Hell, I'd grab some Udder Creme just to be able to say that I have some Udder Creme .

I know, I know, udder cream, or is it Udder Butter? Either way, it is worth it just for the Novelty.
Good luck!

[rc]

Well, an update: my theory seemed right, been keeping the nails longer and haven't had them crack since. I think that a lot of my work was not only drying but also wearing down on the nails where the fingers cracked. I've been taking preventative measures and wrapping 'em up in bandaids before work.

I checked out fingertip eczema, saw some wonderful pictures, and that doesn't look like the case for me.

...Still keeping an eye out for some Udder Butter