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Frequent Washing Leaves Hands Raw

Q. I have been washing my hands so many times a day to avoid colds and flu that they are incredibly red and rough. My fingertips are cracked and split and it hurts to type on the computer. My hands don’t usually get this bad till the middle of winter. Normal moisturizers aren’t cutting it.

A. Many readers sing the praises of instant glue to seal cracked or split fingers. If you prefer pharmacy-grade glue, try Band-Aid brand or New Skin Liquid Bandage.

It sounds as if you need an industrial-strength moisturizer. Dermatologists often recommend Lac-Hydrin 12 percent, which is effective but pricey. Farmers have long used inexpensive products like Bag Balm and Udder Cream (a sponsor of our radio show) on their hands because they work well for chapped, red skin.

We are sending you our Guide to Skin Care and Treatment with dozens of other solutions to dry skin, eczema and cracked fingertips.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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