Methenamine and Rhino Skin Solutions
May 4, 2017 18:26:50 GMT -7
MarkAnderson, jonfrisby, and 2 more like this
Post by Chris W on May 4, 2017 18:26:50 GMT -7
I probably shouldn't start a thread while I'm this tired, but I can at least get the conversation started. Someone smarter than me can link the thread called Tite Grip to this one, since this discussion originally started in that thread.
This spring "season", I've experimented with Rhino Skin Solutions Dry Spray. I tend to sweat all the time, and my hands are no exception. I don't have hyperhidrosis or any specific medical conditions that cause this, just sweatier than normal skin, especially my palms and soles. In the past, I tried Tite Grip, which is an aluminum based antiperspirant (apparently popular with pole dancers and golfers) for my sweaty hands. It seemed to help a little, but not much. I would apply it, then wash it off before climbing because if it got wet, the residue would feel slimy. I eventually abandoned Tite Grip because it didn't help enough to be worth it.
Then I switched to the Friction Labs chalk, which I really like, and just kept working like normal. The threads and posts about iontophoresis were pretty intriguing, but I wasn't ready to try it because I have metal in my chest. (After doing a little research recently, what I have would probably not conduct, but it looks like iontophoresis would take time, which I don't have.)
Eventually I stumbled onto Rhino Skin Solutions. Turns out the active ingredient was methenamine, which is the active ingredient in Antihydral. I immediately discounted that because all the internet experts said it causes cancer. I looked into it in a bit more depth though, and it doesn't actually look like cancer is a worry with methenamine. I'll write more about this later, but I do have a few advanced degrees to back up my conclusions.
Once I determined that it was most likely safe, I ordered the dry spray and started using it. The instructions say to use it once every 4 days. At first, I didn't notice much of a difference, but after several applications, I could tell my skin was definitely drier. I seem to be fine using it every 4 days, but I also experimented with bumping up the use to every 3 days. That was a bit too much in January and February, but I can get away with it if I need to now that it's getting warmer.
The only time I have ever had trouble with dry skin is in the middle of winter, and that's only on the back of my hands and, when I was running a lot more, on my face. Using Joshua Tree salve with the Dry Spray prevented any undue dryness on the backs of my hands. I also experimented with using the dry spray roller applicator, which helped with this as well. I also have NEVER had trouble with splits, but I got one small one using the dry spray in the winter. It was on my left thumb, and it ran along the line of a scar where I sliced into it with a pocket knife when I was 6 years old (that was the first thing I did with my new knife). I treated this with a short rest from the dry spray, some Joshua Tree Salve, and some light sanding. Haven't had a problem with it since.
I really put the Rhino to the test on my trip last week to the NRG. Temps were in the upper 80's and humidity was high as well. In spite of this, I really felt like things were do-able, and I do think it was because of less sweating (my hands did still sweat, but not nearly as much) because of the Rhino.
Bottom line, I like it and will continue to use it. Can't find any evidence it causes cancer (though I wouldn't call it good for you either), it is very quick and easy to use, and it cuts down on sweating. I don't believe it will help me to magically send a route, but I do believe it will expand the range of acceptable climbing conditions for me.
This spring "season", I've experimented with Rhino Skin Solutions Dry Spray. I tend to sweat all the time, and my hands are no exception. I don't have hyperhidrosis or any specific medical conditions that cause this, just sweatier than normal skin, especially my palms and soles. In the past, I tried Tite Grip, which is an aluminum based antiperspirant (apparently popular with pole dancers and golfers) for my sweaty hands. It seemed to help a little, but not much. I would apply it, then wash it off before climbing because if it got wet, the residue would feel slimy. I eventually abandoned Tite Grip because it didn't help enough to be worth it.
Then I switched to the Friction Labs chalk, which I really like, and just kept working like normal. The threads and posts about iontophoresis were pretty intriguing, but I wasn't ready to try it because I have metal in my chest. (After doing a little research recently, what I have would probably not conduct, but it looks like iontophoresis would take time, which I don't have.)
Eventually I stumbled onto Rhino Skin Solutions. Turns out the active ingredient was methenamine, which is the active ingredient in Antihydral. I immediately discounted that because all the internet experts said it causes cancer. I looked into it in a bit more depth though, and it doesn't actually look like cancer is a worry with methenamine. I'll write more about this later, but I do have a few advanced degrees to back up my conclusions.
Once I determined that it was most likely safe, I ordered the dry spray and started using it. The instructions say to use it once every 4 days. At first, I didn't notice much of a difference, but after several applications, I could tell my skin was definitely drier. I seem to be fine using it every 4 days, but I also experimented with bumping up the use to every 3 days. That was a bit too much in January and February, but I can get away with it if I need to now that it's getting warmer.
The only time I have ever had trouble with dry skin is in the middle of winter, and that's only on the back of my hands and, when I was running a lot more, on my face. Using Joshua Tree salve with the Dry Spray prevented any undue dryness on the backs of my hands. I also experimented with using the dry spray roller applicator, which helped with this as well. I also have NEVER had trouble with splits, but I got one small one using the dry spray in the winter. It was on my left thumb, and it ran along the line of a scar where I sliced into it with a pocket knife when I was 6 years old (that was the first thing I did with my new knife). I treated this with a short rest from the dry spray, some Joshua Tree Salve, and some light sanding. Haven't had a problem with it since.
I really put the Rhino to the test on my trip last week to the NRG. Temps were in the upper 80's and humidity was high as well. In spite of this, I really felt like things were do-able, and I do think it was because of less sweating (my hands did still sweat, but not nearly as much) because of the Rhino.
Bottom line, I like it and will continue to use it. Can't find any evidence it causes cancer (though I wouldn't call it good for you either), it is very quick and easy to use, and it cuts down on sweating. I don't believe it will help me to magically send a route, but I do believe it will expand the range of acceptable climbing conditions for me.