Has anyone suggestions on what causes fissures on fingertips right by the nail? I have a little cut on my thumb and middle finger, which bleeds and is very painful.
Replied by Mama to Many (TN) on 02/16/2023
Dear Patrice, My husband had this problem for years.
I think it is goes beyond a simply dry skin problem, though it was worse for him in the winter.
He no longer has this problem. I suspect it has a systemic fungal root. At some point he was taking supplements for systemic yeast and I think after that it got better.
There are many things to try - I would start with a calendula cream or salve topically. Internally, you could try reducing sugar and adding extra virgin coconut oil to your diet.
Avoid hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial soaps. Try something like Dr. Woods Castille Soap. You can use it to wash hands and do the dishes. I have used it for laundry, too.
I hope you find an answer. I recall it was pretty miserable for him!
~Mama to Many~
Replied by Art (California) on 02/16/2023
Patrice, You may find the following article on splits in the skin near the fingertips useful and it offers one or two simple remedies :
https://pediaclinic.net/Cracked-Skin-Hands#:~:text=Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Crack, No prescription is needed.
Art
Replied by Madelyn (Idaho) on 02/16/2023
Hi Patrice,
I don’t know exactly what might be causing the splits, but I do have some other suggestions to add in terms of helping them heal up.
I gave my husband the homeopathic remedy Petroleum 200, one dose every other day. I believe his split that was on his fingertip for several weeks healed after only 2 doses, 3 at the most. This is a remedy I learned from Joette Calabrese (lots more info on her website), and it worked wonderfully.
Comfrey root can also help knit tissues back together. You can apply it topically in a salve.
Pamper your hands by wearing gloves when doing dishes, cleaning, etc. Switch to a homemade hand sanitizer that is free of perfumes and other chemicals by simply mixing 2 parts everclear vodka (190 proof ethyl alcohol) with 1 part distilled water. I use it throughout the day and find it’s not drying or irritating at all to my skin.
Good luck!
Replied by Katzie (Calgary) on 02/19/2023
I used to have that too! Here in Calgary it is usually pretty dry, and can be very cold in the winter - which is also the only time I get them; its like the cold air 'sucks' the moisture from the skin and hair. So I think its due to extreme dryness and/or coldness. I always just put extra aveeno lotion on my fingertips and tried to keep my hands in my coat pockets instead of dangling them in the frigid air - and these two things worked every time.
