Remedies for overworked thumbs

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 63-year-old woman who does a great deal of hand sewing (quilting). I’m plagued with splitting of the skin on my thumbs. They get so bad sometimes

I resort to using glue to close up and seal the areas so I can work. I wear rubber gloves to wash dishes and am continually putting on hand lotion to soften my skin. I also take 1,300 milligrams of flaxseed oil a day to alleviate dry skin. Can you explain why this happens and tell me what I can do to prevent it?

DEAR READER: Many people suffer from cracked, split fingers because of exposure to winter weather with dry, unprotected skin. Still others suffer splits caused by a fungus. I don’t believe you fall into either category. Your problem appears to result from constant irritation to the fleshy portion of your fingertips. While taking a few days off from your quilting might help, returning to the chore will place stress once again on the areas that have been aggravated repeatedly.

To begin with, there are several over-the-counter salves to consider. Look for a product with an 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate/petrolatum/lanolin base, or a mineral oil/paraffin-wax-based product. The ideal way to use these salves is to lather your hands well in the evening before bed. Slide your hands into light cotton gloves, and allow the active ingredients to transform your thumbs (and hands) into soft, manageable skin by morning. The gloves can either be laundered or saved in their oily state for follow-up treatment. Generic forms of liquid bandage products are also available in most pharmacies.  And consider using adhesive bandages or duct tape over the tips of your thumbs while working. Or invest in thimbles to fit your main working fingers and thumbs. Keep me posted.

Peter Gott practiced medicine in Lakeville for 40 years.