Dry Hands Help!!!

[jgmziii]

Hi there I wanted to know if any of you ladies know of anything natural or organic that will help sooth SUPER dry hands? Since my LO was born I've notice that my hands have become so dry... Not sure if it's bcs of the soap? hormones? (my 1st BF and CD) Please help with any suggestions or ideas!!!

[Dabble]

It's probably a combination of the super dry air and frequent handwashing that's done it.

I know you asked for organic/natural, and I'm sure some of the other mamas will be along to offer great suggestions in that department. But if you try those and they don't work (like they didn't for me), get yourself a big jar of Aquaphor ointment (NOT lotion or cream) it's like a vaseline consistency and you can goop it on your hands right before bed and go to sleep like that. You will wake up with soft, smooth hands.

[Ann-Marita]

A co-worker once had hands so dry they cracked and bled. I told him to wash his hands gently just before bed, leave them wet and apply petroleum jelly. Then put on cotton gloves to sleep in. He found this really relieved his dry skin.

But now that I don't really want to use petroleum jelly, I use Crisco. That's right, solid vegitable shortening. Same procedure - leave skin wet, apply the crisco, put on gloves and go to bed.

[Drummer's Wife]

I wash my hands very frequently and live in a dry climate so I've been using California baby's Super Sensitive lotion. I can't tolerate fragrance and won't use petroleum products (or any questionable chemicals) so this works for me. I buy it at Target (for less than Amazon has it listed)

[MaxMommy]

This is a little expensive but it works.
I live in a very dry place and work in an even drier environment, I probably wash too much as well and my hands suffer for it. My finger tips will crack from dryness, but with this stuff my hands are good.

http://www.quantumhealth.com/product...skin_care.html

Hope this helps.

[weliveintheforest]

Lanolin is good on cracked skin.

[Missa]

Virgin coconut oil works really well. It's very good for moisturizing and healing cracked skin. If I try to put lotion on my hands if they are that dry and cracked it burns really bad, but the coconut oil really does feel good on them.

[Mercury_Girl]

Shea butter works a dream for my dry, dry cracked hands. I mix shea with a nice EO & mix together on low heat on the stove so it smells nice, when it's all liquidy I add an equal amount of plain basic lotion so that the shea lasts longer & saves $.

Good luck, the advice others have offered are great ideas as well, the Aquaphor or Vasoline before bed with gloves on do work well, I just couldn't sleep with gloves on.

[wendyland]

I buy shea butter. I do best if I put it on at night before I go to bed. Then, I reapply sometime the next day. I buy it from iherb. They have pretty good prices.

[sunnysandiegan]

Be sure to increase your intake of fluids, especially water, in addition to the above ideas that appeal to you. Breastfeeding specifically increases your need for additional fluids...and so does the ordinary dryness of winter air in many areas.

[anniegirl]

After you've washed your hands and their still wet rub a bit of Olive oil or coconut oil into your hands. I've found that works well, I think the oil helps seal in the moisture. I do this especially when I'm done washing dishes as that really dries my hands out in a miserable way (I detest wearing kitchen gloves).

[jgmziii]

Ladies thanks so much for you reply's sunnysandiegan I'm already drinking 1 to 2 quarts of water a day is this enough or do I need more?

[sunnysandiegan]

Each person has a different threshold, so I cannot say for sure. However, I drink 60-70 ounces a day (more than 2 quarts/64 oz, usually) daily without exercising or breastfeeding, etc. (more under those conditions). I personally would increase it and see if it helps.

[maxwill129]

Not to crash this thread, but does taking flax oil or fish oil help?

[MaxMommy]

I'm not sure about the hands, but taking fish oil has helped my skin. I now use body moisturizer only rarely, I used to be addicted to it.

[mellowjello]

Taking flax oil has helped me. I also try to wear gloves for dishes/cleaning (I was bad about this before). Better yet, slather on shea butter (got some cheap on Amazon) and then put the gloves on. The hot water helps the shea butter soak in. Also, in my situation (deep, painful cracking around cuticles and knuckles) it has helped to change my diet as food sensitivities were causing inflammation.

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by mellowjello

Taking flax oil has helped me. I also try to wear gloves for dishes/cleaning (I was bad about this before). Better yet, slather on shea butter (got some cheap on Amazon) and then put the gloves on. The hot water helps the shea butter soak in. Also, in my situation (deep, painful cracking around cuticles and knuckles) it has helped to change my diet as food sensitivities were causing inflammation.

Good tip!