Need advice my hands lots of open sores and a few ulcers, painful, dry, redness. Tried many lotions & prescription lotions and compounds.

[dawn1972]

I also have two open calcium deposits on my right elbow which I have debrided x2 three years ago and was put in splinter for three months to heal. I have crest. Raynauds is severe in hands, feet, and knees.And I have no health insurance since I got divorced.

[Doggo]

Hi,

I am so sorry to read your question, I too have CREST syndrome with painful dry redness. Strangely enough the cream I put on most is a handcream by clarins, it seems to heal them pretty quickly when I put cream on over night. I have heard Ginkgo Bilboa tablets are pretty good to take, but you must find out if they have any adverse affect with other tablets you take.

Doggo xx

[SandraMarie]

There really is no miracle cure, sadly. You just have to keep your hands well lubricated, literally every single time they go near water, make sure you put lotion on, doesn't have to be expensive stuff, as quite frankly I've found they're no better for us , and as we have to do it so often it's tiresome when it takes an eternity to rub some of these really dense creams in. I was told about another marvellous remedy by a nurse at my local surgery, last year, which was a tape that was impregnated with a very strong drug that cleared up cracks really quickly. Worked especially well on my feet. Then she told me they may not be able to get it any more, but I'm still waiting on that. Would definitely be worth asking your G.P. though.x

[rjericks]

I use Zim's most often...soothing and helps heal swelling, ulcers.

crackcreme.com/skin-care/

[Thelma]

As Sandra Marie recommended, you must keep your hands lubricated before and after handling water. I have Crest also and use thick cream/oils/ointments in combinations. I have Vaseline Intensive Care cream on the kitchen counter and wheat germ oil, in my bedroom and bath room, I reach for Eucerin Cream and add either Coca Butter Cream, and more wheat germ oil, or a body oil (and yes, not always the expensive kind, but of a little heavier texture, and then too, sometimes a light oil); then I will grab Cocoa Butter-Aquaphor ointment (made by Eucerin), and add oil as well. The goal is to keep your hands, feet and any other vunerable areas on the body that dry easier or crack easier - oiled and creamed well as often as possible. We don't always get the ultimate results, but making every effort certainly does help a lot. Some other considerations; drinking plenty of water throughout the day, being consistent with taking multiple vitamins, and getting 3 well balanced meals in daily, along with some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes 4-6 days a week; using a soft bristle body brush in the shower in a circular motion, gets the body more stimulate and helps blood circulation. When you have a few moments to spare during the day, massage your body. I carry a little miniature massager with me most times-battery operated - and use it for tensed areas or just mindfully remembering to massage my legs or arms or neck - knowing that it is encouraging the blood flow a little more. Hang in there, try to keep your stress levels low, and apply new strategies since this is a New Year . . . and I am hoping, praying and wishing you the best on gaining more comfort, more consistently and feeling better and better as the year progresses. - T

[NickyWickyWoo]

Hi there. I'm lucky and don't have ulcers. Manuka honey hand cream? I think this might help doe to its antibacterial and healing qualities

[DebKate]

I have reynauds. I don't know if we have the same types of sores; however, I recently had 2 bumps come up on my fingers that were really sore. And I went to my go-to med that I have used since I was a child...for minor cuts and sores:

It is Petro-Carbo Salve from Watkins. You can find it here. I do NOT recommend using this without your doctor's consent, and then only try in on a small area.

But it sure helped me. I just rubbed a small amount on the sore area for a few days...and the sore was gone.

Be careful with new home remedies, they may work differently on folks. But I wanted to share my success, who knows, this may work for you, too!

watkinsonline.com/productsg...

[dawn1972 in reply to DebKate]

I'm willing to try anything. I don't get bumps first. They are open like ive been cut and others are open circles. I have two open calcium deposits on my elbow also. I will try on one first. The doctors try every prescription there is I have debridement ointment also if I need it. But they are clean right now!! My hands hurt so bad that I just can't take it. I use lidocaine in small amounts when the burning is severe usually just so i can go to sleep!!

[DebKate]

Also, regarding the Petro-Carbo Salve from Watkins...

I am trying to work on my nutrition, so these things all work together to help us with our struggles...I have overcome many symptoms through nutrition, light exercise, sunshine, and doctor's help. I am fighting chronic fatique, reynauds, and scleroderma. I pray about each new medical or nutritional remedy before I I do it, if I have peace about using it (after research and gaining knowledge), I go ahead. If not, I leave it alone.

Blessings,

Debbie

drcolbert.com (help with nutrition)

[dawn1972 in reply to DebKate]

I've also recently changed my diet to high protein since my levels are low and that inhibits healing. I am willing to try anything but will try one to start and see what results I get!! Thank you!!

[DebKate]

Dawn,

If you want to follow my successes and struggles, and follow help that I find, you can go to my blog at sew-incredible.blogspot.com/ . If you scroll down you will see my Facebook page. Join me on FB for encouragement...I'll be praying for you to get resolution to your pain. There is hope!

Gentle HUGS!

Debbie