Happy solution for cracked fingertips

I have finally found a solution for a problem that's been bothering me for quite a while.

I have very sensitive hands and while I apply hand creams all the time, no amount or any kind of regular hand cream could help with cracked fingertips. This particular problem started a few years ago, I even went to see my doctor about it but his advice was to just mositurize. Also, it was season-unrealted, I'd get cracks in summer or winter, usually on one or two fingers only. It would somehow resolve itself, after undefined amount of time and for no reason I could identify, but I was just happy the problem was gone. If you ever had this problem, you know just how difficult everyday activities can become due to endless discomfort in your fingers. And it sometimes made me feel uncomfortable and even embarrassed in public due to my fingers looking chapped and uncared for.

Well, a few days ago I stumbled across this article and long story short, I tried one advice from there - I applied tea tree oil to my fingertips. I love tea tree and use it for many things, and now it's firmly one of my all-time favorite natural remedies. In less than two days my skin had healed with no signs of it being prone to cracking again. I keep pressing my fingertips in expectation of the stinging or pain, so I can make a mental note which finger to be careful with, but there is nothing. To say I am elated is an understatement.

I just wanted to share this simple, but effective solution in hope it may be of help to someone else too. We often discuss skin care here on the forum, and for me looking after my hands is as high on the list of priorities as my facial regime.

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Oh thanks, Ornella! I'll share with my mother, who has this problem too. We've used the farm girl solution of bag balm, but with so so success. Tea tree oil will smell nicer, too!

Peri

Wow, thanks! My husband has this problem...I'll tell him.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brilliant! I find making buttery pastry does wonders too.

Sona

goota buy me some more tea tree oil asap...thanks Ornella.

CAL

Active Member

Love tea tree oil, try coconut oil to moisturize, it's also an anti-microbial.

Jaime

I have a spot on my thumb that needs this. Thanks!

Anonymous

Thank you for sharing your solution. The iPad is not letting me type much today. Anyway, these things are painful and it's good to know what works.

Sveta

Thanks Ornella, great tip! I also like to use tea tree oil for a lot of healthy problems. I found that a lip balm with it helps to heal chapped lips as well which is my usual problem in colder months.

velvetychocolate

Thank you so much for sharing! I have a teensy-tiny bottle of pure tea-tree oil that I got in my Christmas stocking last year, but I don't quite know what to do with it, as I'm under the impression it needs to be mixed with something?

Did you just put straight tea tree oil on your cracked fingertips? I'm thinking not, but am stumped as to what to do with pure tea tree oil, even though I know it's fantastic for all kinds of skin issues.

In any case, I'm glad you found something that worked! Yay

VC, you can put the oil straight or mix it with other oil (e.g. olive ) or cream. Straight oil will be stronger but it should not burn your skin

Thanks Sveta - I will just go ahead and try it. Sounds like even regular olive oil from the kitchen will work.

Ornella

I am glad this makes sense to you ladies.

For those who haven't used it before, tea tree oil has quite strong smell. I personally like it, but some may find it too harsh. However, its first, strongest note evaporates relatively quickly, and although the specific smell remains, it may take some getting used to.

But, it is pure, natural oil, natural antibacterial / antiseptic, so it's worth it.

Angie :: I can trace the beginnings of this problem back to the early days of looking after my son and constant hands washing after the nappy changes, so I assumed my hands were too dry. But, although I also occasionally make buttery pastry (or sleep with my hands slathered in Nivea or some other rich cream) and while the rest of my hands love either of the treats, this specific issue with fingertips problem always remained - the healing process took forever to kick in (even when I'd go on a holiday and practically did nothing with my hands, no cooking or other housewrok) regardless of the amount of moisture. The article I linked to mentions tea tree oil's healing properties that may have helped solve the problem - I have no idea if that's what worked, but I know that the skin on my fingers has healed and I can actually comfortably handle wool, silk and daintier hose - something that could have been quite a task on very bad days because of all the pullings.

CAL :: thanks for the tip about coconut oil. I plan to buy it anyway, but I am glad you mention it's anti-microbial, I assume that's what worked with tea tree oil.

Sveta :: great tip as well, thanks. Could you share what other things you use it for?

VC :: straight from the bottle is fine, just as Sveta said. And, I found that regular kitchen oils wouldn't work - I have high quality home-made cold pressed olive oil that has texture of runny honey almost and it never helped with healing, only with moisturising. Each oil has different properties.

Debora

Thanks, Ornella, this is a big problem for me every winter. I'll give it a try!

Sara L.

Thanks for the tip! My knuckles always crack in the winter and so far Aquafor works to take care of it, but it's nice to know there's another option out there if the Aquafor stops working. Regular lotion, no matter how rich and thick, doesn't help for me either.

Transcona Shannon

I have this same problem Ornella so am thrilled with this advice - thank you!

Kristin L

Thanks Ornella!

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