My Hands

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:55 pm

Although I do not work around the residents in the long term care facility, I wash my hands a lot. My hands have been dry and for the past several years they looked awful. They were red and cracked and my finger tips were starting to crack to the point that they were painful. I tried every lotion known to man but nothing helped. As I was putting cream on my hands before bed last night I had an "ah ha" moment. My hands are soft. They aren't dry and cracked. The only thing that I did differently was the change in my diet since 9/13 when I was diagnosed with LC. Who knew! I could have saved a lot of money on hand cream over the years.

The only time I use hand cream now is at bedtime. I don't even think about it during the day anymore.

Marcia

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 5:58 am

Marcia,
My hands were always cracked and bloody all the time throughout the winter too and they are no more! I wonder what caused that? Tex, any insight?

nerdhume · Post by **nerdhume** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:35 am

My hands and really whole body have been better and required less lotion this year. I think it's because I am eating more fat.

Hopeful · Post by **Hopeful** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:31 am

I concur! All my jobs as well as hobbies (food service, gardening, etc) have required frequent handwashing and dishwashing. Winter is worst and when my hands get cold (pretty much always with Raynaud's) they also get chapped. I'm 65 but my hands look like an 80 year old's.
BUT... this winter I see a marked improvement in dryness. The few cracks that I have gotten have healed very quickly and not been so painful. And strong nails - best in my life!

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:54 am

My nails are significantly better as well to the point that I have to clip them, which I have NEVER had to do! Hopeful, I too suffer from Raynaud's and my hands are always cold.

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:12 pm

My hands were always cracked and bloody all the time throughout the winter too and they are no more! I wonder what caused that? Tex, any insight?

Cathy,

Those are additional satellite issues associated with MC and other IBDs. While those symptoms are not officially recognized as medical markers of IBDs, they are known to be associated with celiac disease and other IBDs. This is because (IMO) dry skin, cracked fingertips, britle nails, etc., are caused by dehydration and vitamin malabsorption problems (which are obviously common with IBDs).

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:44 pm

Skin issues around the nails is linked to stress on the liver, ie leaky gut and increased particles in the blood stream puts the liver under stress...

Improvement is a good indicator of healing progress...

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:49 am

Thanks Gabes and Tex! All good signs!

Blueberry · Post by **Blueberry** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:02 am

I can remember having frequent dry, bleeding fingers in my youth before developing MC. The problem occurred mainly around the nails. It was always disturbing to be writing, doing school work, and surprisingly see blood on the paper. Thankfully that problem went away once I improved my diet and took vitamin D. My fingers are healthier now.

Greengoddess · Post by **Greengoddess** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:44 pm

Gabes-Apg wrote:Skin issues around the nails is linked to stress on the liver, ie leaky gut and increased particles in the blood stream puts the liver under stress...

Improvement is a good indicator of healing progress...

First sign for me after VIt d was an improvement in my nails which led me to having to manicure them! Also hair improvment.

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:34 am

Thanks, Tex & Gabes. I love that Gabes said it's a sign of healing progress....made my day! On another note, we went out for dinner last evening. I ordered a Kobe burger, plain. I always say I have food allergies to get their attention. When it was served it was covered in sauteed onions & cheese. Sigh. I watched my husband eat his dinner until they brought another one. It was very good, though and I guess worth the wait. Have a great weekend!

Marcia

Post by **tex** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 12:41 pm

Marcia wrote:I always say I have food allergies to get their attention. When it was served it was covered in sauteed onions & cheese. Sigh. I watched my husband eat his dinner until they brought another one. It was very good, though and I guess worth the wait. Have a great weekend!

That's frustrating, but in a way it's the best kind of mistake to encounter because it's so obvious that we can't overlook it. It's the hidden mistakes that get us.

You're very welcome, and I hope you're having an enjoyable weekend, too.

Tex