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Post by blondeflag70 on Feb 28, 2017 22:18:41 GMT -7
Hello all!
I have extremely dry skin and live in the SW, USA. I swear that my extra dry skin hampers me a times. Im not talking about splits, which i deal with as well. But, i feel that slopey holds feel extra slick to me due to a practical hard skin glaze effect. I seem to calls more than most and file them with 60grit sandpaper to avoid flappers. I climbing a fair amount on flat, basalt holds and feel that id actually like some water on my hands before some crux sections. i feel that on especially cold days, that the holds just feel slicker in general . Am i crazy or has anyone else experienced this condition. Any remedies? thanks
Keith
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Post by willblack on Mar 1, 2017 10:36:27 GMT -7
You'll get no sympathy from those of us in the southeast, but I wonder if you might be sanding your skin too much.
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erk
Junior Member
Posts: 83 
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Post by erk on Mar 1, 2017 12:03:35 GMT -7
Nick Duttle has some genetic condition where his sweat glands are underdeveloped. He climbs with a wet towel or water on his pants and pats them as he needs. Definitely worth trying.
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sean
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by sean on Mar 1, 2017 12:48:12 GMT -7
Check out the latest Power Company podcast. They interview the Rhino skin people and talk a bit about what to do with overly dry skin.
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Post by brendann on Mar 1, 2017 14:26:49 GMT -7
Same issues here in Utah. You can use a damp towel or grind your tip pads down so they start to weep.
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Post by tetrault on Mar 3, 2017 17:16:26 GMT -7
I have extremely dry skin and live in the SW, USA. I swear that my extra dry skin hampers me a times. Im not talking about splits, which i deal with as well. ....and file them [calluses] with 60grit sandpaper to avoid flappers Do flappers occur with dry, hard skin? Aren't flappers more of a soft, moist skin issue? And splits, as you also mention, the predominant dry, hard skin issue? The topic of skin quality and care seemed trivial to me until relatively recently. I am still trying to get a firm understanding of the basics, let alone proper care and optimal conditions. Considering how confusing it can be to understand and improve upon the universal and consistent aspects of climbing [ex: everybody always wants to increase forearm strength, yet there is a plethora of conflicting information on how to do this], varying skin types, environmental conditions, etc. seem to make this topic increasingly baffling. The below is my understanding, NOT NECESSARILY CORRECT. Too Thin < Correct Thickness > Too Thick Too Soft < Correct Stiffness > Too Hard The correct stiffness and thickness could maybe be defined as “tough” skin? Thin + Soft = Sensitive, pink. Climbing leads to increasing pain, possibly blistering. More climbing leads to ripping open and bleeding. Thin + Hard = Glassy, slick. Climbing leads to multiple, small splits. More climbing leads to further opening of splits, more and more bleeding. Thick + Soft = Climbing can lead to flappers. More climbing means more, or more severe flappers. Thick + Hard = Slippery. Climbing leads to cracking and tiny “fins” of dead skin that can catch on edges/textured surfaces and split. More climbing, or repetitive moves (especially on plastic/hangboarding) leads to deep splits as if cut by a knife. During healing process, splits will constantly be pulled open by surrounding tight/dry skin. Tough skin = Alive and pliable. Minimal callouses?, yet thick enough to handle the friction and shear stresses of rock/plastic. |
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Post by MarkAnderson on Mar 3, 2017 19:39:10 GMT -7
I pretty much agree with your definitions, except for the question/comment about flappers at the top. Any type of skin can result in a flapper given the "right" rock/movement, however, the most common cause of a flapper is a thick callous that gets ripped off. The actual tear occurs just "below" the (proximal) edge of the callous, where the skin is soft and under extra tension since the callous is not as pliable as the adjoining skin. Often the action of grasping the hold forces the callous to bunch up/out since its stiff and can't deform to the shape of the hold, instigating the flapper. The "flap" usually includes the entire callous and part of the soft skin below (proximal end) it. This is why its smart to sand down your callouses.
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Post by Elvis K on Mar 4, 2017 16:13:13 GMT -7
I have the exact same problem. My hands and feet don't sweat. So I prefer humid conditions outdoors. I climb 2 grades lower indoors because plastic feels like glass. I spit in my hands before every climb. I have tried all kinds of lotions and nothing helps.
I would kill for a little bit of sweat on my hands.
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Post by tetrault on Mar 4, 2017 17:47:14 GMT -7
Would wearing gloves as much as possible throughout the day help to trap moisture and soften your skin?
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Post by MarkAnderson on Mar 4, 2017 20:57:02 GMT -7
Would wearing gloves as much as possible throughout the day help to trap moisture and soften your skin? Worked for Curly.  |
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Post by tetrault on Mar 5, 2017 5:51:32 GMT -7
That's a dirty thing to tell around.
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