Can't get calluses on fingers any more

[Casey56]

82 year old guitar player can no longer form calluses on his fingers. Can no longer play because strings push all the way to the bone causing pain. Tried Emla cream and New Skin, but they don't help. Any kind of bandage makes fingers too clumsy. This started about 6 years ago and has gotten progressively worse. The action is extremely low, but still doesn't help. Have been to doctors, but they have no suggestions. Any help would be most appreciated.

[Darklava]

Crazy glue.

[Billster]

Tony Iommi made fingertips out of leather after he accidentally cut off two of his tips.

 

I don't know more details, but I'm thinking some kind of very thin, soft leather (like a golf glove) fitted so that there is no seam on the tip itself.

 

Switch to nylon strings? Segovia played into his 90's.

[not coaster MODERATOR]

nolan ryan soaked his fingers in bryne to toughen them up.

[Tedster]

Yeah, I've heard about that condition in older people. Weird, 'cause you'd think that someone who'd been around for awhile would have pretty rough hands anyway. Hmmm..

 

Well, my hat is off to you, sir, for keeping with it. You might ask your doctor if there's a supplement you can take...I'm wondering if this might be related to some sort of nutritional deficiency.

[NMcGuitar]

I was going to suggest either leather (a la Toni Iommi), or latex tips for your fingers. Nothing too bulky. Just make sure that they are well fitted to your fingers, or they could cause some irritation.

 

BTW, welcome to the forum . I also salute you for still playing. I hope I can still play when I'm 82 (heck, some days I wish I could still play now ).

[Caevan O’Shite]

Hmmn, would you be able to talk to a dermatologist?

 

Does your Doctor seem to understand just how important this is for you?

 

This makes me sad, I wish I had some serious good miracle answer for you, Casey56!

 

I do not mean to sound condescending or patronizing here at all, but are you definitely "hydrated" enough? Dehydration can caudse a lot of problems, and skin and other tissues lose their resiliencey and self-healing properties when under such duress. Making sure that you drink enough plain water every day, allowing an hour before eating, or two or three hours after eating, might help.

 

I would tend to think that getting as much Jello/geletin into yourself as possible- as long as there's no need to avoid it; there is sugar-free geletin mix, too, if that's a concern; there are also geletin capsules for this sort of thing. Also, the various vitamins and minerals and supplements that are good for general health, would possibly help you here at least a little. I try to keep my nails good and healthy for fingerstyle playing, and all of the above helps them; it should similarly help the tissues involved in hair and skin growth, as well.

 

I also rub waterproof "sport" sunscreen that has silica in it (for the silica specifically; look in the "inactive ingrediants" list) into my nails, followed by a heavy-duty "split-ends repair"-type conditioner (I like St. Ives "Hair Repair", and Ausey "Three Minute Miracle", for this) to strengthen and thicken my fingernails. This should also work on fingertip pads, I'd think. Perhaps several times a day at first, for a few weeks, then maybe at least every other day after that, depending on whether it seemed effective.

 

None of these things will work overnight, if at all, for your particular dilemna. I really hope that something can be found to help you out here! Your breakin' my heart!

[Base]

I'm sure I have read of stuff you can pick up in guitar shops or mail order to toughen your fingers up. Will try to look some up, has silly names like Gorilla Snot (tho I think that one makes your fingers sticky for holding plectrums)...

[Base]

Ok, found this page:

 

Musician\'s Health

 

Can't see the direct answer to your problem, but maybe there is someone on there that can offer something more useful??

[Dave da Dude]

Casey56, my prayers are with you.

 

I cannot imagine not being able to play because of such an affliction. But, I'm 58 right now and I have noticed that my calluses are not as large and hard as they were when I was younger. I haven't noticed any limitations (yet), but then again, I'm not playing anywhere as much as I used to.

 

If there's a solution to your problem, I'm sure the great bunch 'a guys here will help you find it.

 

And, btw, WELCOME

 

Dave

[Billster]

I totally agree with the nutrition/hydration/vitamin proposals as well. I have pretty soft hands, but have not had anything like serious pain, even after unfortunate layoffs from playing where I have to build up callouses again.