We’ve all gotten blisters on the hands and if we’re not careful, they can break before we even notice them. Try these tips to fix ‘em up.
Perhaps it’s from holding onto a heavy barbell, doing a few too many pull-ups, lifting, pushing, or pulling, but broken blisters, also called rips, happen. If you have ever ripped your hands before, you know just how long it can put you out of commission. You also have four hundred different people throwing tips at you about what heals them the fastest. Overwhelmed? This should help:
1. Do not put hydrogen peroxide on it.
Despite what your mother probably told you when you were five, those little bubbles aren’t just killing the bad germs, they’re also killing the good bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol can harm the tissue and delay the entire healing process. Use mild soap and water to clean the area at least twice a day. Make sure to let the water run over the wound and don’t scrub the freshly torn skin. Be gentle!
2. Keeping the rip moist will help the wound heal faster.
After washing the area, apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Do not put WodWelder, RipKit, New-Skin, or any other type of liquid bandage on the affected area. If surgeons don’t put chemicals in fresh wounds, you shouldn’t either. You can keep dirt and germs out by cleaning and covering the area instead. Don’t buy into companies who market for freshly ripped hands specifically. Those ingredients are not FDA approved and there is no reason to be putting anything else in an open wound besides antibiotic ointment. Once a layer or two of new skin has grown then you can put all of the products you want on it! They do have healing properties and can help prevent further rips, so lather up! Just don’t put them on freshly torn skin.
3. Don’t make the same mistake twice.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. If you’ve ever tried washing your hair after ripping your hand (or using it for anything, really), you know just how much you want to never do that again. The solution? Wear protection! Gloves, grips, and tape are all good options. Try different things and figure out what works best for you. Sometimes hand protection takes a while to get used to, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Another tip is if you are about to do something that runs the risk of a rip (say muscle ups or a big set of kipping pull-ups), try washing your hands with warm water first. The water will make your skin softer and less likely to tear. The same goes for lotion. While lubing up before a set probably isn’t a good idea, keeping your hands moisturized outside of the gym will help prevent rips.
4. Get plenty of protein!
This is my favorite part because all you have to do is eat and drink delicious things. Proteins are absolutely necessary for rebuilding damaged skin. Try a veggie burger, beans, lentils, split peas, or my personal favorite, a Sunwarrior protein shake. Rebuild those proteins and you’ll be healed in no time!
