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

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.

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.

Mojack26

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

it has been explained in several comments!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Another vote for Udder Cream!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

pascal30 sorry, it was your tip about the fish oil. Thanks!

So much better today using the Germolene New Skin. Hooray!

Parsley3 Thanks for the fish oil tip.

Nothing worse than cracks in hardened skin, but there’s magical relief from pain to be found by using Compeed Plasters.

They’re not ordinary plasters - like a Band Aid - but hydrocolloid plasters which soften the skin edges, allowing cracked skin to heal. Comfort restored instantly. You leave them on until they fall off…..skin-coloured (so even big ones to cover heels look good with sandals) and they’re all shapes and sizes for blisters, splits, heel cracks, etc. one of a few things I would endorse 100% and I never go walking without one in my rucksack for immediate first aid and relief. I first discovered them in the 80’s and still think they’re brilliant.

lizzypopbottle

Thanks crazyH. I'm using Germolene New Skin. It seals it up. It nips when you apply it but it helps it to heal up fairly quickly. I'll give the O'Keefe's a try once it's closed up. My hands have been quite dry lately. I'm also having a lot of trouble with weak, flaky nails. Thanks for all the suggestions. 😘

Try taking high dose fish oils, regularly. for your dry nails.. helps hair as well

I was brought up in the North East and it’s a keen to me. I get them in cold weather especially if I don’t wear gloves outside. I use Germolene on them and they usually go in a couple of days. So painful though.

I used Flexitol on deep cracks on my heels. It eases the pain and heals the cracks very quickly.