Paddling Hands?
 

Hobie guys, do your hands/fingers get beat up like this after a day or two on the water?
I paddle a X-13 and each time I go out my hands and fingers completely peel off a layer or two of skin. It takes about a week or two to clear up. It gives me something to do when I'm bored but my wife hates it and some of my patients trip out on them when I go to touch them:eek:. Also, I need to grab medications out of a Pyxis system at work that scans my fingerprint and I'm unrecognizable when the fingertip skin peels off for a couple weeks. Not too big of a deal but it slows me down when I have to wait on a nurse to grab me some lidocaine or other meds.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...a/500/mail.jpg

I only ask this question because if this doesn't happen to Hobie guys, it will support my cause in buying a Revo:)

I'm hoping to tell my wife: 1)this is a paddller's problem. 2) you will have nicer hands to hold 3) no more touching patients with scaly fingers (I actually throw gloves on when this occurs) 4) it will make me more effecient at work.

Thanks in advance

My hands don't look like that!!! Are you using paddling gloves? My hands only get cut if i am setting up a new rig or i get hook on my hand.


These are the ones i use...http://www.rei.com/product/817795

Are you using a paddle that has sandpaper on it? To support your argument you'll only have to worry about your thumb getting burned from a fish pulling line. Other than that I would imagine your hands would be out of danger.

Do your hands get wet from the paddle? Time to switch to a Hobie.

I got a real hobie no mirage drive, and after 8+hours on the water my hands dont look like that. Are you paddling with a oar?

I bought tennis racket grips and wrapped them around the shaft. That helped the problems I had.

hobie hands
 

I have a Hobie. No, my hands don't look look yours. Your patients would love the feel of my hands.

However; Im not sure the paddling is the cause of your skin issues.

Proper paddling technique is essential, especially if paddling for long periods. Use a relaxed grip, don't choke it. You could be burning the skin off by friction.

Otherwise, see a doctor,

when i first got my kayak i realized i was holding the grip way to tight me hands would hurt and it tired me out, if the paddle got wet or my hands got wet I had to grip really hard, so i got some grip tape for a bat i think, maybe $5 at big 5, wrapped the paddle where i grip it and its worked great for a year now. I was thinking about paddling gloves too.

That used to happen to me when I was regularly paddling several days a week. When my hands are subjected to prolonged immersion the top layers of skin slough off. It mostly happens at the points of contact with the paddle shaft. I think some people's skin is just more susceptible to this than others. It made starting up my work laptop a pain in the ass. Sometimes it would lock me out before I could get a good fingerprint read.

As annoying as the the peeling hands was, the chronic monkey-butt was worse. I sure do miss that OK Drifter. Nothing like sitting in a couple of inches of cold seawater for hours on end.

Monkey butt pain in the worse!

you were being kind! u only showed them your raw pinky skin after you went to town.ive been meaning to make a post like this for months..im not on a Hobie but, i feared i got leprosy from a seal..& my hands rot off worse!
:cheers1:

Did that monkey butt pain come with extreme itch? That was my biggest problem! :hmpf: ouch!!!

Can't say if you are paddling properly or not, I don't know, I have a hobie drive kayak.

I get that too, not as bad, but pretty bad. It isnt the paddle, its the water. The worse spots for me are along my nails, and on my palm along my knuckles. Gloves may actually make it worse. One thing I do is keep a rag with me and keep my hands dry as much as possible. Not easy when paddling though.

Sometimes when I get home, I use a product called bag balm or udder cream. It is a heavy cream, and I put cotton gloves on over night. Then I use the cream multiple times over the next day or two and that seems to work.

keratolysis exfoliativa
 

It appears we have the same problem. According to my dermatologist, the condition I have is known as keratolysis exfoliativa and occurs from prolonged exposure to water.

http://www.dermnet.org.nz/dermatitis...ratolysis.html
http://www.dermnet.com/Keratolysis-Exfoliativa.

My hands would swell up after a day of fishing and become raw and sting. Couple of days later, the skin would harden, become numb, and peel off in layers as thick as 5-6 sheets of newspaper. I use to think it was from paddling but the problem did not improve after I switched to a Hobie. I then discovered that it was the constant exposure to water that caused it – from handling bait, constantly putting my hands in the bait well, tying off to kelp, etc. Even when I’m fishing the iron, my hands still get wet.

Over time, my sensitivity to water seems to have gotten worse. There does not appear to be a way to prevent it other than to keep my hands dry. I now wear gloves to minimize exposure to water. I usually go through 2 or 3 pairs of gloves everytime I fish. My dermatologist recently prescribed Salitop Cream which I think is helping but I’m not sure.

In support of your desire to get a Hobie, I will say this: peddling does keep your hands dry.

I also want to make this very clear to everyone reading this: I do not suffer from monkey-buttus exfoliativa.

Right on the money! However, I told my wife it is paddler's manus exfoliativa.....only cured by pedaling.........she seems to be buying it and it sure seems better than Monkey Butt:)

Be careful you're going to get HOBIE HANDS - which is far worse than the pic you posted !

-It comes from catching much more fish. :p


sorry i couldn't resist.:)

I am going with water causing your probs-have the same problem with a spot on my feet (sweat), have to change socks a lot-podiatrist said skin has a memory, so it would take a while for skin to stop sloughing off. It worked, but I don't have the pictures to show.

Don't get you none of that ol' monkey butt. Ya'll be itchin' and scratchin' like crazy. :eek:

Heard this stuff might work. :) Thankfuly I fish in waders so hopefully will not have the problem if it is from sitting in a pool of water


http://calamitykim.typepad.com/photo...onkey_logo.jpg

A friend of mine had something that looked just like this about twenty years ago. Udder cream didn't take care and it occured after fishing (but not paddling) the next morning.

Turned out he was sensitive to the slime on bait fish, wearing latex gloves while handling bait took care of it. He had been fishing for years before this without a problem. It's probally is not the same thing, but boy, it sure looks like it, so I thought I toss it out there.

Just a little more information in case the previous suggestions don't work.

Back when I was putting myself through school roofing in NY I had a friend that had this issue when roofing in cold wet weather. He used to take GE 100% silicone caulk and rub it all over his hands. It not only repelled water but kept his hands warm as well. I tired it myself and it works but I was worried about using it all the time because I figured it might be harmful long term. We actually talked about doing research and marketing it repackaged as a silicone water repellent hand cream...:biggrinjester:

That said I figured somebody had to have something like that on the market by now. Sure enough...

NORTH 222 BARRIER CREAM W/SILICONE: Barrier Cream With Silicone, 4 oz. Tube, In Either Wet Or Dry Work Situations, This Cream Protects Skin Against Many Sticky, Staining And Irritating Industrial Sub-Stances. Contains Silicone.

http://www.amazon.com/North-272204-B...2382489&sr=8-1


Protecta Plus: a non-greasy, non-irritant barrier cream designed to protect the skin from water, moisture and from water-borne irritants. These irritants include acids, alkalis, electrolyte solutions and wet soils. Protecta Plus is highly water repellent, even after long periods of contact with water.

http://www.septone.com.au/detail.asp...=71&page_num=2

That should be perfect for saltwater, but you have to order it from industrial supplies in Australia.


Kerodex - 71 WetWork:

A non-greasy, water repellent cream that protects against irritations caused by acids, alkalies, detergents etc.. Protects 3 to 4 hours.

http://www.amazon.com/KERODEX-WORK-S.../dp/B0006GDAX2

5.0 out of 5 stars great stuff, <nobr>February 27, 2010</nobr>
By
E. Gemeinhart "corydors" (Orlando, FL) -


This review is from: KERODEX #71 WET WORK SKIN PROTECTANT CREAM 4 OZ TUBE (Misc.)
Kerodex 71 was recommended by my dermatologist. I usd to work at an aquarium fish store and developed contact dermatitis to something in the water. Had dry, cracked skin with raised, itchy spots. When applied and "cured" as recommended, works wonders and doesn't hurt fish. It is a great product.


Got to like that!!!

Believe it or not diaper rash barrier creams supposedly work.... Makes sense if you think about it.


I'd try one of those above.... Good luck,Jim

Most of you guys are missing the point here ,He needs a semi-legit reason for getting a Hobie .So back him up here and whine and cry about how paddling just does your hands so wrong .

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bFX_rHcYL_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

cant embed this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyTvQxRDFOc

x2 :)

Although I really appreciate the suggestions on how to fix the problem. Definitely due to the water exposure and not so much the paddle. However, I do only peel where the hand comes into contact with the paddle, as Doug suggested. Probably a combo thing but fun to play it as solely a paddle thing to the wife.

Hey Bus Kid, classic but I have to stay away from Darling Dingleberry........will nullify my progress thus far......maybe Darling Love Muffin Chipmunk

Well the Hobie Revo didn't fix my hand problem but I thought it was a good arguement to my wife to get a new ride. She is bummed because she still has to hold onto scaly hands. So, I just ordered the Kerodex 71 cream as Jim Day had mentioned and I'll see how that works.....:)

http://www.amazon.com/KERODEX-WORK-S.../dp/B0006GDAX2

Back when I was putting myself through school roofing in NY I had a friend that had this issue when roofing in cold wet weather. He used to take GE 100% silicone caulk and rub it all over his hands.

All the males in my family, besides myself, are roofers. My dad, uncles, and so on use to do this. I'm gonna share this Post with him tomorrow, as they all thought it was a (family) secret.

Does your paddle have splash guards on each end? If not get one that does (or get splash guards), that will help your cause:)

if the Kerodex fails, I'm going with the GE 100 % silicone caulk......thanks for the sharing the family secret:D


Yeah, I have always had splash guards on my paddles......hands are just a mess after being on the water.....I don't ever have this problem after surfing but I can't recall the last time I surfed a 6-8 hour session

Just get a Hobie and your problem is solved. Tell your wife that is what the doctor ordered:)

yup mine do. and all my calluses peel off too. it sucks.

Already picked up a Revo:) and the HDS-5 didn't solve the problem either :(