Chapped Thumb

Updated on June 06, 2009
A.F. asks from Littleton, NH
9 answers

Hello Mommys, My 20 month old daughter is s thumb sucker which I am ok with. Recently I have noticed that her thumb is very chapped and raw looking with a couple of small splits in the skin which I know is from sucking. She only sucks at night and naptime but she is an extremely active kid during her waking hours. Does anyone know of a cream, etc. that I might apply at night after she's asleep to help heal the skin? She is not bothered by the condition of her thumb at all, it doesn't seem to be hurting her but I'd like to keep it from getting worse. Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Boston on

We use Aquaphor for extremely dry and chapped skin, it works well and I have used it on my son's thumb when it gets really dry

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Portland on

Bee's wax creams work very well and will do her no harm if she ingests it.
Few drops of vinegar in water is extremely healing for chapped skin...we use it a LOT in Maine.
Sometimes put a bit of honey in the vinegar water.
I am very glad to see you are not trying any radical measures to prevent her from sucking her thumb.
She will outgrow it when she outgrows the need for it.
We had a pediatrician here in town and her daughter sucked her thumb until she was 12 years old !!!....think that is the oldest I have ever heard of.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from Boston on

My daughter sucked her thumb till she was 5, so I know what you're going through. You really don't need to put any anti-bacterial agent on it. The suggestions of Lansinoh are good, and you can use anything that goes on chapped nipples and it will work the same way. I prefer the herbal nipple salves that you can get at any health food store.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi A.~
I also have a daughter who is 4 and constantly sucks her thumb and has the same chapping issues as yours. I use a product from Arbonne International called skin conditioning oil.It is safe and the company does not use toxic chemicals anything else that will harm your child. They are a vegan Swiss company that uses natural ingredients in their products. You can only get these products through an Independent Consultant though, I can help you with that if you are interested. Let me know and I can send you info about the product.
Take Care
Kristina~

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Bangor on

There's a couple of great products that I would recommend for her. First, is an ointment like neosporin, but without any chemicals, so it would be safe it she put her thumb back into her mouth. It's called Melagel & uses the power of natural healing from melaleuca oil also known tea tree oil. The second product is called Renew skin therapy which again uses the melaleuca oil, as well as, aloe, etc... to promote healing. This is a skin cream & would be very easy to use on her.

These are products that I am never without in my home because we've seen how powerfully they heal. If you'd like to know more, please feel free to ask & I'd be happy to share where I shop for them.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Burlington on

Hello A.,

My daughter has the same issue (she is 8 months) as she sucks her thumb ALOT. I rub a thin layer of Lansinoh lanolin (purple tube) all over her thumb after it falls out of her mouth while she is sleeping. It works great and I don't worry that she may ingest a little. Almost overnight the skin looks loads better. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.B.

answers from Boston on

Try using Lanolin, it is the stuff that breastfeeding women use when their nipples are dry cracked etc...You don;t have to wash it off it is completly safe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from New London on

Apply Lansinoh's lanolin cream. It is okay if they ingest it. It is "nipple" cream and works wonders. If it continues to crack, then I would make sure she doesn't have a bacterica infection. You could add a little bacitracin when she is awake and you know she won't be sucking on her thumb for a while. Maybe during dinner or something.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from Hartford on

We always put chapstick on her thumbs. It seemed to work! B.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions