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General Climbing Discussion

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Hand Care

Dalai

20-Jun-2003
1:39:51 PM

In the States there are various products were used by climbers to keep hands in optimal condition.
The best of which I used was Hoof Maker. A cream based product which was used to toughen horses hoofs so skin doesn't split. It worked a treat and even didn't smell bad. I went to a Saddlery store when I returned in 96 but it wasn't imported into the country at that time. I haven't checked since.
Another product which also worked well, but stinks is a product called Udder Balm. This product is used on cow udders to alleviate problems generated by milking.
Any products used by chockstone members?? (This is intended as a serious question but am waiting for the usual responses...)


hardcore

20-Jun-2003
1:46:01 PM

How about Velcro Gloves ??

Dalai

20-Jun-2003
1:46:51 PM

Thanks Hugh...first of many expected responses....


tmarsh

20-Jun-2003
2:20:07 PM

I've heard of Hoof Maker being used, and have looked for it in rural supplies stores. No luck.

Some old-school climbers swear by Friars' Balsam aka tincture of benzoin. It's a slightly viscous brown liquid, which you apply to your tips to toughen them. I used it for a while and maybe it worked. It's hard to say - it's not exactly a controlled experiment.

More recently, I gave up on the whole toughening the tips thing and instead just wash all the chalk off my hands following a session, and then rub vitamin e cream into my tips. Maybe it softens them, I don't know. the benefit is that little nicks in the skin don't develop into splits and cracks. It seems to work for me, and the benefit is I don't have brown stained fingertips anymore from the tincture.

Using fine sandpaper to smooth out the edges of cuts also assists in them not developing into cracks, but it's a while since I've climbed hard enough to really care.

Cheers,
Tim

ps: I'll be in Yea tomorrow and can check the local supplies stores for HoofMaker.


Donut King

20-Jun-2003
2:26:21 PM

i have seen a few people using hoofbuilder and didnt realise it was out of stock.

a few mates i know a religious when it comes to vitamin E cream on the finger tips to help stop then splitting.


Rupert

20-Jun-2003
2:33:27 PM

Udder Balm? That is brilliant. I remember watching WIN TV once and seeing an add for a product called 'Calf Start' - I thought that was pretty funny too. Yeah yeah, sad I know!

Anyway, along the same lines: I've seen it discussed on the web how when you stop climbing regularly, about 7-10 days later your fingers will peel. It was dicussed that this was something to do with the Magnesium Carbonate usage, but no one had any definitive stuff about it.

Dalai

20-Jun-2003
2:42:49 PM

Tim, I didn't try too hard to find it when I returned. I went to Horseland in Ringwood in 96 and was told it was imported for a short time. But was subsequently taken off the market as the importer didn't go through the correct channels.

(removed)

20-Jun-2003
3:30:02 PM

I've been using Hydrocortisone 1% (that's the most concentrated you can get without a prescription). Definitely works for me. Sigmacort is on ebrand name for this product. It's normally used to treat eczema, but it's basically a steroid for the skin. Apparently you can get a stronger one (with a prescription) where you can just about watch your skin regenerating in front of your eyes.


tmarsh

20-Jun-2003
3:35:02 PM

On 20/06/2003 Rupert wrote:
>Anyway, along the same lines: I've seen it discussed on the web how when
>you stop climbing regularly, about 7-10 days later your fingers will peel.
>It was dicussed that this was something to do with the Magnesium Carbonate
>usage, but no one had any definitive stuff about it.

That happens to me every time I have a break from climbing. About a week after my last session I start shedding skin like I'm a leper. f---ing 'orrible.

I always thought it had to do with the skin 'getting used' to be being abraded at a certain rate. You stop climbing and there's nothing to rub the dead skin off. Who knows. Looks terrible though.

You should always remember to eat the dead skin when it comes off. That way you don't lose any of the nutrients in the skin, but can recycle them for faster regrowth next time.

tim


nmonteith

20-Jun-2003
3:51:46 PM

Wow - i had no idea there was so much technology happening aorund me. My work mates are pissing themselves reading this forum over my shoudler. My skin also disintergrates after a few days of non-climbing - and yes it tastes great.


Rupert

20-Jun-2003
4:22:51 PM

Lets step back a bit here - we're talking about using animal grade products and eating human skin?

Have there been any instances reported anywhere of cannibalistic cloven-hooved climbers producing excellent milk?


Rich

20-Jun-2003
4:32:35 PM

I've been using (admittedly not religously) Anhydrated Wool Fat Lanolin. Its a thick subtance that doesn't rub in too well. After a particularly damaging experience at nowra (as other nowra visitors will empathise with) I did a bit of google searching and found that spin bowlers have a problem with splitting hands from repeated spinning of the ball as you would imagine. One pro cricketer who was never able to fully heal his hands heard about the above from somewhere and started using it and it fixed up his hands a treat and he swore by it ever since. Its also used by breastfeeding mothers on their nipples to stop them from chafing..
Anyway its easy and cheap to get from any chemist..
Cheers
Rich


tmarsh

20-Jun-2003
4:32:52 PM

On 20/06/2003 Rupert wrote:
>Lets step back a bit here - we're talking about using animal grade products
>and eating human skin?

Rupert - let's get this in perspective. If you told your average keen climber that sticking their hand up their own arse would either make them climb harder or heal injuries, I'd lay odds they'd do it.

But in fairness, I was joking about eating the skin.

tim


Rupert

20-Jun-2003
4:42:16 PM

On 20/06/2003 tmarsh wrote:
>But in fairness, I was joking about eating the skin.

Hey I'm always chewing my fingetips when they shred - there is no shame in it. We should probably only worry if they are not our own fingers.

I've used another really good skin healing product called Urea cream - this stuff is pretty powerful though like the hydrocortisone creams so you need to be a little careful with its use. I also have a rough rock at home that I often roll in my hands while I watch the idiot box, this seems to keep my hands tough enough to get from one sporadic climbing trip to another.

deadpoint

21-Jun-2003
9:03:37 PM

I also get peeling after 4 or 5 days off climbing. I found that if I used a lanolin based cream the peeling would not occur. Also the lanolin does not seem to have the geasy after feel.


trent

22-Jun-2003
2:39:00 PM

a lot of pro paddlers use a mixture of half olive oil, half metho to toughen up there hands without dying them out to much. Adventure racers use the same mixture on their feet to prevent blisters. mix equal parts in a glass jar, shake well, apply to hands and rub them together (use twice a day). ive never tried it but they all swear by it.


Donut King

23-Jun-2003
9:29:02 AM

On 20/06/2003 Rupert wrote:
>
>I've used another really good skin healing product called Urea cream -

i think it also comes in liquid form, but it is socialy frowned upon to be seen applying it in public.

Avon calling!!!!


Robb

6-May-2004
4:41:03 PM

hoofmaker is the shit. i got some sent over from the states. only wanted a little bit BUT... americans -excessive as they are. i got sent 15 pump packs of the stuff. a lifetime supply. dries quickly and beautifully non oily after feel.
oh and there are human use instructions as well as animal instructions.
builds skin overnight - its awesome.
yeah

dalai

6-May-2004
4:48:55 PM

Who did you order it through?? I have been looking at buying some, it is brilliant stuff.

climbingjac

6-May-2004
5:22:20 PM

Hey beefy - maybe you could sell a couple of the pump packs to us?! I know of one particular South Australian that seems to cross the border most weekends and could act as your very own courier service!

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