Use of surgical gloves

[John Kendziorski]

After working on a few easy ship kits, my fingertips began to split from handling the wood. I don't want to give up this hobby, so I've ordered some surgical gloves, but I wonder how much tactile feedback I'll lose.  

[jud]

Bought a box of them years ago, they were cheep and I intended to use them when greasing wheel bearings and washing parts. Still have all but 3 pair of them, didn't like them to grease bearings with and they melt when washing parts but they do keep well.

If I remember correctly they were all left hand gloves, but by turning your right hand over you could get it into one of those things.

jud

Edited August 20, 2014 by jud

[Keith_W]

You will definitely lose tactile feedback by using surgical gloves. I am a little confused as to why your skin is splitting. Do you have a skin condition? Perhaps you should see a doctor?

[mtaylor]

I get the splits around the fingernails from the wood and dryness.  Moisturize and do it several times a day with a good hand lotion (but don't use the Admiral's... get your own). 

 

I'm not sure what's available these days but there used to be a lotion that photographer's put on that dried and prevented the chemicals used on B&W photography from drying the hands.  As I recall, it worked like a charm.   There's also a product (pricey as hell) called ALPS lotion that prosthetic users can use. I've used it once or twice and found it helps keep my hands from cracking.

[jud]

Corn Huskers Lotion or use what I do, Bag Balm. Should be able to find it at farm supply outlets and some drug stores around here stock it. A little goes a long way,  it works well for problems such as yours. I keep a can handy and depending on what I am doing it often gets used 2 or 3 times a day.

jud

[testazyk]

John I'd have that checked because other than a few operations I can think of nothing should really wear your fingertips out.  I don't think surgical gloves would work because they would tear or wear out very quickly with any degree of friction and you would definitely lose some feeling.  I just use those gloves when painting or staining. 

[DiKri]

Don't use them when working with CA glue. You will end up with parts of your gloves sticking to your ship...

[DaveF]

 I found out the hard way that I react to epoxy. I used to wear the surgical gloves to continue making aircraft bodies. I akso found that by putting a little cream (balm) in the figure holes it prevented dryness.

 I agree with the others. I would look at getting the condition checked out. Prevention now or a whole lot of pain later.

 Dave

[John Kendziorski]

Thanks for all the replies, gents. I saw the medical officer, who suggested frequent applications of lotion and giving surgical gloves a try. I found that traces of lotion got onto the work. My dad had this problem, too.

[tlevine]

If you are using actual surgical gloves (not medical examining gloves), the decrease in tactile feedback should be minimal.  However, if you have a skin condition and you use powdered gloves you are opening yourself up to a whole new set of problems.  The powder can sensitize your skin to the gloves themselves.  Use only non-powdered gloves and rub your hands with a little mineral oil before donning them.  Nitrile exam gloves, on the other hand, will reduce tactile feedback considerably but are hypoallergenic, unpowdered and extremely strong.  

[John Kendziorski]

Thanks Toni,

I wondered about that. I'll try mineral oil or a lotion before donning the gloves. Another option may be to turn the gloves inside out; I didn't feel any powder on the outside. True, these gloves are not very strong, but most of the tears have been inside the palm. I've noted some loss of tactile feedback, too, but not so much that it disappoints me.

John

[grsjax]

There is something called barrier cream ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrier_cream ).  There are several brands but they all do the same thing, keep harmful chemicals from irritating the skin.  This stuff is used by machinists, mechanics, chemists, pest control people and others that regularly come into contact with chemicals.  It works well.  Check with a pharmacist if you can't find it.

[John Kendziorski]

Thanks, grsjax. I'll look for that. Again, I'm concerned about transferring products onto the better, more visible woods. Meanwhile, a friend gave me a pack of vinyl gloves he uses for painting. Stronger than examining or surgical gloves,with enough tactile feedback while I do the more course work of sanding.

Best,

John