Fellow axemen...how do you keep your fingertips from splitting?

[Meeotch]

I'm a rock climber and get split tips a lot, mainly from using chalk on my hands. What makes the biggest difference for me is using dish gloves religiously whenever I need to wash dishes. The process of wetting your hands, followed by drying, and repeating, is what dries them out.

Occasionally I'll use super glue, but a sanding block is also a good tool for keeping things in check. Use lotion at night for sure. Good luck.

 

[Alpha Stryke]

Well there is a remedy a Charge Nurse taught me when i was in Nursing years ago.
Take an old sock, two if needed for each hand and coat your hands in either vaseline or this stuff called "Bag Balm'.
Put the socks over affected hands when you go to sleep at night and that should clear up in a few days.
Don't get Bag Balm in your eyes its got Lanolin in it. You can find that at CVS or Walgreens or online.
BB works good on feet / cracked heels too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_Balm

 

[Fiesta Red]

I'm a nurse and am washing my hands or using alcohol based sanitizer probably 30 day. Dries my hands out something terrible. I put this stuff on right before bed and as I'm headed out the door in the morning. This has to be done every day consistently. Your skin is a living part of your body and needs to be treated well in order to function the way it's supposed to if you use one area a lot more than others -- like your hands with playing guitar. Get a tub of this stuff -- it's the consistency of peanut butter. Also get a tube to carry around during the day or to keep at work. Try to use it at least three times a day. It gets worse as you get older too.

You won't see results for at least a few days and it will gradually improve. If I miss a day my skin will dry up really quick and it will take a few days to get back to normal. You have to be consistent.

 

[DanTravis62]

Bro I think this is from biting your nails, not from playing guitar

 

[Beyond Black]

Stick your fingertips up your ass twice daily. This will prevent you from biting your nails and likely solve your problem.

 

[Beyond Black]

I'm a nurse and am washing my hands or using alcohol based sanitizer probably 30 day. Dries my hands out something terrible. I put this stuff on right before bed and as I'm headed out the door in the morning. This has to be done every day consistently. Your skin is a living part of your body and needs to be treated well in order to function the way it's supposed to if you use one area a lot more than others -- like your hands with playing guitar. Get a tub of this stuff -- it's the consistency of peanut butter. Also get a tube to carry around during the day or to keep at work. Try to use it at least three times a day. It gets worse as you get older too.

You won't see results for at least a few days and it will gradually improve. If I miss a day my skin will dry up really quick and it will take a few days to get back to normal. You have to be consistent.

I’ve used that and it’s good shit.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I’ve used that and it’s good shit.

Have to use it religiously. Good Hands that the OP mentioned works good too, and he can use that during the day but it has to be multiple times a day. And then the Cerave in AM and PM. Got all this from a dermatologist that I see.

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

Bro I think this is from biting your nails, not from playing guitar

Nope, it happens when I don't bite them too. It's only the 1 finger, if it was from biting them, they'd all split.

 

[TheBiggestJerk]

First of all stop biting your fingernails. Drink more water, and use lotion…lotion lotion lotion. Protect your skin and reduce contact with any that is hydrophilic- to wit anything that draws out moisture like salts.

 

[DanTravis62]

Nope, it happens when I don't bite them too. It's only the 1 finger, if it was from biting them, they'd all split.

My brother in christ I think you are in denial about this

No, they would not all split like that, because you don't use your fingers equally on guitar, you do not bite your nails an equal amount of times, etc etc - that seems like youre just rationalizing it because you don't want it to be the case

It might not be the main factor, or it might be one of many different factors causing it, but I can tell you right now that I don't bite my nails and have never had this happen, not once in 30 years of playing, and I've never seen it or heard of it before

I've seen people play until their callouses fall off or rupture, sure, especially beginners

But if you've been playing a long time this is not a callous rupturing or tearing, after a few years your callouses should be basically bulletproof

Biting your nails causes all sorts of health problems and transfers a ton of fungus and bacteria around, and I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that it's related

 

[Fusionbear]

Hydration and collagen supplements work for me. I play a lot, at least two hours a day and up to four on the weekends, let alone gigs...

 

[311boogieman]

Ouch, that just looks painful. I've never had this problem either, but my nails grow super fast and I am cutting them every 2 weeks.

Same but I cut my finger nails every week. (Toenails every 4w) I also take calcium, collagen, and D3. I don't bite my nails but I can see that being a problem. I do know the feeling as it has happened once or twice and it is not a good one. I was actually going to tell @Shreddy Mercury to let his middle finger nail grow out, in addition to the other ideas. My wife uses CeraV and sometimes wears those gloves and she has great hands

Aren't you in HI though? My experience is finger-tip splitting happens mostly in the cold, dry of winter, outside of actual direct injury. It also happens more as we age. I don't chew my nails or anything either. Just occasionally get little cuts that hurt. Luckily, mine almost always occur on my right hand so not fretting issues.

He is here near me in the Midwest. Our cold dry winters last maybe 2 weeks