What to use for cracking, bleeding hands in the field.

Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
80
Location
WV
My hands are always dry when the humidity gets low, and if I don't keep up with something like Okeefes working hands they will crack and bleed. This year in Colorado for a week, my hands started cracking and bleeding really bad. I didn't have anything with me to put on them. Towards the end they actually kept me from sleeping from throbbing pain. Does anyone suffer from the same issue and have something that really works well to keep on them when in the field for weeks at a time?
 
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
335
My hands usually aren’t bad but sometimes when I ice fish a lot I need something. I’ve had good luck with neutrogena lotion and I also like mushers secret (meant for dogs paws in the winter)- use it for my dog when we hunt a bunch in crusty snow.
 

TaperPin

WKR
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
3,210
My hands are always dry when the humidity gets low, and if I don't keep up with something like Okeefes working hands they will crack and bleed. This year in Colorado for a week, my hands started cracking and bleeding really bad. I didn't have anything with me to put on them. Towards the end they actually kept me from sleeping from throbbing pain. Does anyone suffer from the same issue and have something that really works well to keep on them when in the field for weeks at a time?
I have the same problem and once it starts those cracks take forever to heal.

I have been open to trying special bag balms, but found a way to get Walmart scent free lotion to work. It’s the heavy duty lotion very similar to brand names, but $3 cheaper. Unlike products that are just oil or wax, lotion is also a great hand cleaner, so if I’m working in dusty/dirty or even oily conditions, just using lotion as a waterless hand cleaner and wiping it off with a paper towel is easy. I keep a roll of paper towels in the work truck next to a bottle of this stuff, and use it right before a job and a couple times during the day.

I can see how something else might be better in the winter, or for jobs that aren’t regularly as close to the work truck.
 

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E.Shell

FNG
Joined
Jun 8, 2024
Messages
79
We used Corn Husker's Lotion as kids and I didn't see it as all that effective. I went to Bag Balm and used it for years, until discovering 'Working Hands'.
 

intunegp

WKR
Joined
Sep 28, 2021
Messages
609
Best lotion I have ever used is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.

My wife got some in a monthly makeup subscription box one time and it is magic. Absorbs easily, doesn't leave any residue/greasy feeling, a little goes a long way, and it truly does moisturize the skin. It's not cheap but a big tube or tub lasts forever because it doesn't take much.
 

kpk

WKR
Joined
Sep 25, 2014
Messages
770
Location
MN
The O'keeffes is the best we've used. Their night treatment stuff works really well too. My finger tips usually split throughout the winter and my daughters hands usually like she's been bare knuckle fighting. O'Keeffes usually has them healed up in a day and prevents them ever getting that bad if you get on it right away.
 

koppertop

FNG
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
73
I’ve tried almost all of the products listed……my favorite hasn’t been mentioned.

If you can find it, I highly recommend a product called Climb On Lotion Bar. Unfortunately it sounds like the Climb On company recently went out of business but was acquired by Black Diamond Equipment who is now making climb on bar but is currently out of stock. Some climbing shops might have stock. I’m hoping BD continues production but have heard that Burt’s bees has a similar product. I will likely check out Burt’s when I run out of climb on.
 

Ucsdryder

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
6,594
I’ve tried almost all of the products listed……my favorite hasn’t been mentioned.

If you can find it, I highly recommend a product called Climb On Lotion Bar. Unfortunately it sounds like the Climb On company recently went out of business but was acquired by Black Diamond Equipment who is now making climb on bar but is currently out of stock. Some climbing shops might have stock. I’m hoping BD continues production but have heard that Burt’s bees has a similar product. I will likely check out Burt’s when I run out of climb on.
Climb on lotion bar? Come on…you’re just effing with us right?
 

koppertop

FNG
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Messages
73

Stuff works well enough that I prefer it over neosporin type stuff for cuts. I’ll shave off a small slice, heat it up between my fingers, shove it in a cut, and put a band aid over it (after washing the cut of course).
 
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