TIPS TO PREVENT AND TREAT BLISTERS, RIPS & CRACKS

 

The hands of a gymnast are very susceptible to blisters, rips and cracks, usually due to hands that are too soft or too calloused. A gymnasts’ hands need that perfect balance of being tough, without being rough, to avoid these common injuries.

Having a good hand care routine in place can help prevent painful injuries. Take a look at our favourite tips to help you take care of your hands and minimize blisters, rips and cracks.


Use handcream and salve daily

Get a hand cream or salve that you like - and use it on a daily basis. We recommend Woring Hands Cream and SandBar Salve, both of them great for keeping hands hydrated and helps with healing.

Every night wash your hands with a gentle soap to soften the skin, then rub in Woring Hands Cream all over your hands and wrists.



Maintain calluses

If you have developed calluses on your hands, you'll want to maintain them to prevent cracking.

To remove excess callouses, gently sand them with a SandBar on a daily basis, taking care not to remove too much. You only want to maintain your callouses, not remove them - they’ll help protect your hands. Finish with SandBar Salve.

 

Treat Blisters

If you have a blister, remove any excess skin carefully, and wash with soap and water (don’t put lotion or cream on a fresh blister). Cover the blister with SandBar Salve until the new skin starts to form. As well as blisters on your palms, rips can also occur near the wrists, where Handguards and Wrist supports rub against the skin. Use Cotton wrist bands or Gym Tape to prevent Blisters around the wrist area.

Once the new skin has developed, apply Woring Hands regularly to prevent it from drying out and cracking again.

Heal during "Down Time"

Make use of down time or sleeping hours by covering your hands in Woring Hands or SandBar Salve. This will really help with the healing, whether you have a rip or crack, or just have dry hands. To avoid getting Salve everywhere, while you sleep, try wearing lightweight gloves or use Working Hands Cream – this cream does not stain.

SandBar Salve

Always keep SandBar salve in your Gym Bag, it’s great for applying on blisters that are dry, and it can help prevent cracks and rips when you're on-the-go.

I hope these tips keep your hands feeling fabulous and ready for your next bar/ring routine! Look after your hands and calluses on a daily basis, so that blisters & rips do not stop you from training! 

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