lynnie

happens to me to, and it's the fabric rubbing on your fingers and drying them out.

tessagin

I used to be a hairdresser and on a daily basis handled chemicals. The biggest culprit was water. In the winter it was worse. My hands cracked and bled so bad. I would wrap my hands in a healing lotion like Lubriderm and put gloves on and go to bed with them and quit using any lotions that had fragrances and dyes. I think once you start prewashing, you'll notice a difference. I prewash everything including clothes before use.

NanaCsews2

Yes it is from the fabrics. I have the same problem. I even have to use my inhaler before I start hours of sewing. I also keep a jar of (generic) Eucerin creme and a smooth emery board in a drawer nearby to keep my fingers smooth. Works wonders. Hate snags.

joe'smom

The only hand cream that's ever worked for me is Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Healing and Repair. The great thing about it is, it absorbs totally, so it doesn't make your fingers messy for whatever you're doing. I put some on every time my hands get wet during the day.

cathyvv

Assuming you are machine piecing, would wearing a thin pair of gloves help reduce the cracking and irritation?

I always wash my fabric as soon as it comes in my home - chemical sensitivities. Nonetheless, in the winter, I have cracks in the pads of my thumbs, and fingers, and, yes, those cracks HURT. I think the development of the cracks has a lot to do with how much lower the humidity is in winter.

carolina quilter

Try CeraVe' moisturizing hand cream. It is not greasy and works well.

Geri B

I use Working Hands salve. Comes in a green compact type container, can be purchased almost everywhere, inexpensive, and it truly works....hands are like silk again....

Misty's Mom

Neutrogena in the little tube saved my hands.

ILoveToQuilt

Same problem here. I have tried the salves mentioned above...unfortunately none have helped. Gonna keep trying other brands. Someone suggested super gluing (yes, it stings like crazy!!!) the splits, but don't know if I am that brave (I hate pain). I know surgeons use super glue instead of stitches, so there must something to using it. Oh well...at least Walgreens and CVS let you return cosmetic products even if they are used (satisfaction guaranteed). Onto the next lotion/salve/cream...

Sandra-P

O Keeffes Working Hands is great. It is almost like magic in how fast it works.