Hand Callus Care for Dummies

A callus scraper is a great way to remove the calluses from your hands.  If you don't have one or don't want to get one you can also use a disposable razor.  Plan to do this after you have been in the shower for a little while so your skin is soft and damp.  Proceed to gently scrape your calluses until they are even and just slightly thicker than the rest of the skin on your hand.  

Don't listen to your friends in the box, callus tears are not cool.  Plus they hurt like hell.  The biggest problem I have with callus tears is that they take away from your training.  If you screw up your hands on Monday doing pull ups then you have to waste time the rest of the week taping and pampering your wounds.  I would rather you take responsibility and take care of yourself like atheletes should.

First, yes, you do want to develop calluses on your hands, but once they develop you want them to be kept soft and smooth.  You do not want them to become much thicker than the rest of the skin on your hand.  You keep them at this level by shaving or smoothing them to the desired thickness.  Another option for smoothing down calluses on your hands; the pumice stone.  Second picture down from top.  Follow same guidlines as above.  

Other options include stopping your workout!  Yes, you will feel your hands getting really hot and probably can tell they are about to tear.  I would rather you stop than continue and bleed all over my floor.  Try gripping the bar looser.  You don't have to have a death grip to hang on, also make sure you are using plenty of chalk.

Taping: there are plenty of different ways to tape and how I would tape for a general WOD compared to competition is also different.  To the side is a picture of one quick way that holds fairly well for work outs.  See me for more ideas or ways to tape.

OK, so you took care of your hands but you worked so hard and ignored the signs of an impending tear and you tore your hands wide open.  Now the healing process must begin.  Immediately go to the sink and wash your hands and wounds with soap and water.  I am not going to lie, if you have not done this before it hurts!  If ripped skin is loose enough pull it from hand or clip it off.  Apply Neosporin and cover lightly.  Repeat process of washing several times a day, keep area moist and free from infection.

Throughout the week I also like to use hemp lotion to keep the hands healthy.  Climb On is another product I really like to use.  It is simlar to a bar of soap but is used like a lotion on beat up hands.  You can find it at stores like REI.

Bottom line is we use our hands, take care of them!!