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I've got another 'keen'... Ouch!

(45 Posts)
lizzypopbottle Tue 23-Apr-24 21:29:55

I've got a 'keen'. It's incredibly painful if I knock it. I've got Germolene New Skin on it which will help it to heal. It doesn't look like much on the photo but it hurts like billy-oh.

It's a nasty deep crack at the end of my thumb, right at the corner where the nail grows free, if that makes sense? Here in the North East we call it a 'keen'. What do you call them where you are?

Elless Wed 24-Apr-24 11:52:34

I've got one at the moment on my thumb and I bought silicone finger protectors, they are good if you put a but of moisturiser on and then pop one on, there are loads on Amazon.

DamaskRose Wed 24-Apr-24 12:03:16

I would call them hacks (Irish) and I think that’s what they’re called here in the north east of Scotland. I haven’t had any for ages (tempting fate) but lots of good advice on here.

Vintagegirl Thu 25-Apr-24 11:39:42

I still have a few precious tubes (near empty) of Germolene Ointment which is no longer made. The key bit is ointment rather than water based 'cream'. Elastoplast do similar one now and there is Neosporin. I would slather it on and then keep a bandage on it for day or so.

allsortsofbags Thu 25-Apr-24 11:56:49

Ouch

In addition to other recommendations when I've put treatment and plasters on mine I also use Finger Cots. Also called Finger Covers. They help as they keep any cream/plaster in place.

KathrynP Thu 25-Apr-24 12:13:49

My Mum used to call any cut or infection on the fingertips ‘Whitlows’. I’ve just looked it up but these are caused by the herpes virus. You can get them if touch cold sores. I always thought my Mum was right!!😂 Like Elless I use silicon gel protectors but as I am big boned I use toe protectors they seem to be thicker. They are on Amazon. You can get big toe or little toe protectors.

Rosieday Thu 25-Apr-24 12:45:48

Another vote for Udder Cream!

grandtanteJE65 Thu 25-Apr-24 15:07:04

I have always called them hacks, and the best thing to get them to close up is a liberal application of unsalted pork fat, with or without a plaster over it.

tictacnana Thu 25-Apr-24 15:50:17

I think it’s what we call a ‘Grandma’s Blessing’ Some Grandma! Ouch !

granfromafar Thu 25-Apr-24 15:57:27

I get these from time to time and didn't know they had a specific name! I generally use any hand cream and if necessary, a plaster. I also have weak, splitting nails at the moment, like lizzy, but don't know if there is a link.

Jobee Thu 25-Apr-24 16:22:04

It's not a split nail. It's a split in the skin. I get them on my thumb in very cold weather and they hurt like crazy for such a small wound.

Callistemon21 Thu 25-Apr-24 16:31:17

KathrynP

My Mum used to call any cut or infection on the fingertips ‘Whitlows’. I’ve just looked it up but these are caused by the herpes virus. You can get them if touch cold sores. I always thought my Mum was right!!😂 Like Elless I use silicon gel protectors but as I am big boned I use toe protectors they seem to be thicker. They are on Amazon. You can get big toe or little toe protectors.

I thought they were whitlows and was going to post that but thought I'd better check first and no, they're not.

4allweknow Thu 25-Apr-24 17:00:06

Put a plaster on overnight, it will soften, then keep topping up your germoline. Never heard the pesky thing called a keen. Years since I had one.

LynW Thu 25-Apr-24 17:55:48

I would recommend Lotil cream. Our local pharmacy and small Boots have stopped stocking it but you can get it on Amazon. Worth keeping a tube handy for splits and cuts.

Oldbat1 Thu 25-Apr-24 21:31:19

lizzypopbottle

Udder cream SueDonim? That made me laugh! 😂😂😂 I might call the vet and enquire about that. My feet could do with some attention too! 😂😂😂

Dh is on chemo which causes awful skin lesions on hands and feet snd torso. He was given a large tub by the oncology unit of “udderly smooth” it is a moisturising cream. It says originally developed for use by dairy farmers!!! You can buy on A****n.

Mojack26 Thu 25-Apr-24 21:57:12

A what? No idea what a 'keen' is?????

Jeanboard1 Thu 25-Apr-24 22:18:05

Try a FireSnow stick, available from chemists. I regularly get a spilt in my thumb from gardening in the winter and if I apply this stick of solid white before I go to bed it has amazing healed by the morning.

lemsip Thu 25-Apr-24 22:21:41

Mojack26

A what? No idea what a 'keen' is?????

it has been explained in several comments!

Etoile2701 Fri 26-Apr-24 07:58:07

I have never heard of a keen, but I am from the South East. I think I would call it a split nail. I often get them. Very painful.

lemsip Thu 02-May-24 21:22:20

Etoile2701

I have never heard of a keen, but I am from the South East. I think I would call it a split nail. I often get them. Very painful.

it is not a split nail! it is dry skin that splits at join of nail and extremly painfully sore.