Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 913
K
kristen Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
K
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 913
My hand s get extremely dry and chapped if i do not use hand cream . But sometimes , in severe weather I will get dry hands and nails in spite of this. Especially cracks around the skin by the nails. playing a guitar is no fun with bandaids.
What do YOU do to help the dry cracking PAINFUL area of the fingers. (literally it hurts so bad that I can't play without bandaids and sometimes that isn't enough).

Some one mentioned rubbing olive oil into the skin area.

I will try anything. But am also wondering if any of this stuff on my hands will affect the strings as well.

Thanks
superkristen


Super K

Kristen of "Blues Matters"
http://www.motagator.net/bluesmatters
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
In Canada we use Zim's Crack Creme.

My wife puts on lots of hand lotion and wears cotton gloves and socks to bed.


John Conley
Musica est vita
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Second the Zim's. I've used it before and it WORKS. Appears to be all natural, too. Having trouble finding it around here now. Their website is [url=http://www.crackcreme.com/]here[/url.]

In the spring and fall my cuticles dry out and Zim's is the only thing that kept it from going to the cracking and bleeding state.

R.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
R
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
R
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
I use Gold Bond's Healing Aloe lotion. It does not cause greasy skin. It's a few bucks at the local Wal Mart.

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Bag Balm. I live in cattle country. It's the best. Aloe as well.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Well if you want to go for a 'human problem' solution then Zim's it is.

If you want to go to the TSC store (read Tractor Store we have 3 of them on the edge of the city you get 'teat balm'. They use that on Udders. Comes under a bunch of trade names, but I don't buy my tetrocycline there either.


John Conley
Musica est vita
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
John you've never seen the women in Maine. Tractor store, people store, teat balm, Zim's don't really matter. Same thing.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
So many good lines here, I don't know where to begin . . . .
Maybe cut back on the "anti-flu" handwash. I've increased the humidity in my apartment - hands still have no grip and are dry but nothing's cracking yet.

Ian


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
I had/have the same problem.
I went to the doctor and he measured the amount of water in my body. It was too low. Now, I don`t want to scare you, but maybe you drink too little. I used to drink only about 1-1.5 Liters a day. You`re supposed to drink 2l and 3l in hot areas.
So maybe thats part of the problem.

I use the Norwegian formular cream. Very good one, goes fast into the skin and doen`t leave a fatty film, so you are ready to play after about 5 minutes.

Sandra


"GuitarVersum" YouTube Channel: Jazz Chord Melody Tutorials
Jazz Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Gear Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT05N04ICdHgmDZrGYz-5A

Lesson Shop:
https://guitarversum.com/shop


Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 99
Vitamin B - I've experienced and seen some great results with cracking skin. A vitamin B multi-complex type tablet.

Good luck


Mel

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
To immediately repair the cracks in the skin, I use cyanoacrylate - otherwise known as super glue. Also helps to keep the problem from getting worse. The best stuff is Loctite Black-Max, as it is a rubberized cyanoacrylate. Remains flexible, but keeps the two sides of the cracks bonded together. Technique is as follows:

1. put pressure on the crack so that it closes at the surface of the skin.
2. Apply drop of super glue directly over the area with the crack
3. Wipe off excess onto paper towel.
4. Allow to cure for recommended time

If you use the Black Max stuff, your fingertips are going to look like an auto mechanic that doesn't wash too often. You've been warned.

Works a treat. Surgeons use superglue in place of sutures quite often, so I'm told. I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on TV,

Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Lots of fodder for sure! I''ve been in Maine, seems like Canadians who are too refined. Most of them either have relatives from Canada, or moved there. Isn't that where in one village when you go to the bathroom in the Library you cross the border to Canada and return to the US to check out your book? Hmm..might be NY or Vermont though. I drove through there and the differences were the people south seemed to have more money and there is a law you gotta put up the US flag on yer house.

Here we know where we live LOL. Of course one neighbour has a Portuguese flag and another has a Scottish 'flag'. My daughter has the Ontario French Flag in her window, not that I mind, but if anyone knows of a gypsy caravan send them around and I'll part ways with her. She's 19 which makes me every kind of moron unlike the other kids who are much older and call me for advice.

I'm going to duck because she's on a bus from Toronto and going to arrive any minute....


John Conley
Musica est vita
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
soaking your hands in warm water for about 20 minutes nightly then pat dry before application of lotion will help rehydrate your skin in a few days. also try vitamin e capsules. open them and apply the vitamin e directly to cuticles and cracked areas. works wonders on chapped lips too.

Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
You can buy vitamin E oil to do the same thing. Neater, safer, and more efficient than puncturing the capsules.

I have directly applied vitamin E to wounds for years. It speeds healing and reduces scarring. Discontinue 10 days before surgery or dental work, because it is a blood thinner. Take internally immediately after, again to speed healing.

R.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Yes indeed, it is sometimes the case that the dry and cracked skin is not only a sign of the weather or climate, but can point to a vitamin deficiency, and, as Sandra has pointed out, not keeping yourself hydrated properly.

For guitar players, there is an old trick to use when practicing and wanting to harden up the fingertips quickly. Warm salt brine soak of the fingertips.

You can use table salt and a teacup of warm water. Dissolve enough salt in there to make a brine.

When the fingertips get to hurting, sit down in the easy chair and soak them in the teacup for ten minutes or so.

Now, don't jump right up and grab yer guitar again, unless you like to rust and deaden your strings within minutes after touching them with all that salt on your fingers, go wash your hands first and then let them dry well.

A few weeks of practicing and that salt brine regimen can build fingertips that don't crack, don't hurt for a six hour gig, don't split, and as a side bonus from all that scaling and chording, you can now rip a pay telephone out of the wall with your left hand!


--Mac

Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
You can make an inexpensive homemade rehydration drink. Measure all ingredients precisely. Small variations can make the drink less effective or even harmful.  

Mix:

1 quart (950 ml) water
½ teaspoon (2.5 g) baking soda
½ teaspoon (2.5 g) table salt
3 to 4 tablespoons (45 to 60 g) sugar, not artificial sweetener.
If available, add ¼ teaspoon (1.25 g) salt substitute, such as "Lite Salt".

it can be made up in quantity and kept refrigerated for several weeks. drink 2 to 4 liters daily. it also restores essential electrolytes not found in plain water.

source: webmd

a simple test for dehydration: pinch the skin on the back of your hand. if it doesn't return to normal quickly when released you are probably dehydrated.

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
John I'm an American but 100% French Canadian decent.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Kristen ,

I am thinking the advice above regarding vitamins and protecting your hands at night especially in colder weather, would have to help. But as they say down at the Quick Oil Change, "check your fluids often" as that indeed is a great place to start.

In my neck of the woods just the opposite is the rule as the humity is usuasly off of the charts, especially in the warmer months May - October. Believe it or not I carry a small container of Johnson's Baby Powder with me on every gig, keep it within hands reach on my amp as I powder up the chord hand at least once an hour while playing.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Later,

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,404
Posts778,754
Members39,648
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Parsinux, Mike McVay, misha pelt, Slick Locrian, daveg68
39,648 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 135
DC Ron 113
WaoBand 104
dcuny 87
rsdean 81
Today's Birthdays
Alain Benard, Wizdum, zeta1959
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5