As a gymnastics Coach I often get asked what to do when gymnasts gets rips. The truth is we all have are own treatment methods and not a single coach can agree on the best method. The other day I came upon this website that gives a tip on how to take care of gymnasts hands. I thought it was helpful and informative so I decided to post it here along with the link of the page I got it from http://conocophillipsgymnastics.com/:
BEFORE YOU RIP:
1. After every workout, wash your hands with soap and water, then rub hand lotion into the front and back of your hands.
2. Prevent excess callous from building up by rubbing the affected areas with a pumice stone. To find the areas of excess callous, soak the hands in water for about ten minutes and you will be able to notice areas on the palm that retain a whitish color while the rest of the skin stays pink. Use the pumice stone only as necessary. Excessive use will cause the hands to be constantly sore during workouts.
3. Rub hand lotion into your hands at night before going to sleep and if necessary, when you get up in the morning. Always keep your hands moist.
WHEN YOU FIRST RIP
1. Remove the excess skin carefully. Then wash with soap and water.
2. Don’t put lotion on a fresh rip. Instead use an antibiotic ointment so the injured area has a chance to breathe. You may use products such as “Second Skin” or “Nuskin” that comes in patch or liquid form and my be placed directly over the rip.
3. Before going to sleep at night, put some antibiotic ointment on your rip and cover your hand with a sock or glove with the fingers cut out
to keep the ointment off the sheets and out of your eyes. This treatment should continue until the rip is covered with new skin.
AFTER YOU HAVE RIPPED
1. Once new skin has covered the rip, continue using hand lotion. If rip is allowed to dry up, the skin will crack and you will continue to rip in the same spot. Sometimes rubbing chapstick over a drying rip can also prevent cracking.
2. There is a saying I have heard, “discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs a ton.” Discipline yourself to take care of your hands before and after every workout.
1. After every workout, wash your hands with soap and water, then rub hand lotion into the front and back of your hands.
2. Prevent excess callous from building up by rubbing the affected areas with a pumice stone. To find the areas of excess callous, soak the hands in water for about ten minutes and you will be able to notice areas on the palm that retain a whitish color while the rest of the skin stays pink. Use the pumice stone only as necessary. Excessive use will cause the hands to be constantly sore during workouts.
3. Rub hand lotion into your hands at night before going to sleep and if necessary, when you get up in the morning. Always keep your hands moist.
WHEN YOU FIRST RIP
1. Remove the excess skin carefully. Then wash with soap and water.
2. Don’t put lotion on a fresh rip. Instead use an antibiotic ointment so the injured area has a chance to breathe. You may use products such as “Second Skin” or “Nuskin” that comes in patch or liquid form and my be placed directly over the rip.
3. Before going to sleep at night, put some antibiotic ointment on your rip and cover your hand with a sock or glove with the fingers cut out
to keep the ointment off the sheets and out of your eyes. This treatment should continue until the rip is covered with new skin.
AFTER YOU HAVE RIPPED
1. Once new skin has covered the rip, continue using hand lotion. If rip is allowed to dry up, the skin will crack and you will continue to rip in the same spot. Sometimes rubbing chapstick over a drying rip can also prevent cracking.
2. There is a saying I have heard, “discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs a ton.” Discipline yourself to take care of your hands before and after every workout.
