From Garden to Table:
It's a Wash—Gardener's Hands

Gardening can reek havoc on hands. A friend once said, "You cannot be a serious gardener and have nice-looking hands." Well, I beg to differ. With a little attention and daily care, your hands and nails can still look good. Start with the right supplies.

Soil carries many different types of bacteria, some harmless and others are deadly poisonous. Washing your hands and ridding them of every speck of soil is a must! Clostridium Boutlinum, E. coli and many others are natural soil flora with the potential of causing illness.

Water - Water that is too hot contributes to dry skin. Lukewarm tap water works best, the hottest water is not more effective in removing soil or killing bacteria. Very hot water will remove the skin's natural oils along with the dirt, leaving hands dry and tight.

Soap or cleanser - For extremely gritty, dry hands from digging, planting and even harvesting, start with a soap containing an exfoliating agent. Oatmeal, crushed seeds, cornmeal, sand, soft wood fibers, pumice and tea leaves are added to soap to help remove dirt and dry skin. A moisturizing agent added to soap can help to reduce dry cracked skin. Spice oils, olive oil, citrus oil, aloe vera, seed oil and cocoa butter are among the available choices. Soaps that are superfatted have extra oil added to help soften skin. Select liquid or gel hand soap or cleanser over bar soaps. Liquids are more sanitary.

Nail brush - Use a medium bristled nail brush to remove dirt from under nails and around cuticles. Careful not to scrub too hard, damaged cuticles can be painful.

Moisturizing Lotion - Apply moisturizing lotion soon after drying hands. Moisturizing lotion works by forming a protective shield on your hands so your natural moisture will not escape. The longer you wait, additional moisture will evaporate from your hands into the air. Select a basic lotion with little or no perfume or dye added. Check the label for ingredients.

Gloves - Wearing gloves can protect against cuts, scrapes and hard callused hands. The pressure of holding garden tools and the friction of motion can create hard patches of skin on the palms of your hands. Invest in a good pair of gloves that fit properly. Measure your palm around the widest part....this is your glove size. Of course, some jobs cannot be performed while wearing even the best gardening gloves.

Nails - Trim nails close and shape to mirror the shape of your cuticle...round. Use a file or emery board to shape nails. Do not use a sawing (back & forth) motion, it weakens the nail. Tilt a medium-grit file under one nail; or pull gently to center. Lift and repeat. Gently push raggedy skin around cuticles with a cuticle stick or hand towel.

Dot nails with polishing cream and buff with a chamois buffer for 15 to 30 seconds each or until nails are shiny again. Lift buffer between strokes to reduce heat buildup and dry nails. Buffing improves blood flow to the nail bed, which can strengthen nails in the making.

Circulation - Poor blood circulation can contribute to cramping, painful hands. Try this yoga exercise to increase blood flow.

• Use a flat surface such as a wall or tabletop. Hold hand up and spread fingers as far apart as possible.
• Starting with the heel of your palm, with fingers still extended, place heel on the surface and roll palm forward until your entire hand is flat on the surface.
• Focus on each finger, one at a time until all fingers and the thumb are firmly pressing on the surface. Press the entire length of the finger as flat to the surface as possible until all fingers and the palm are pressing downward.
• Hold this position for 10 seconds. Count 1 elephant, 2 elephant and 3 elephant...10 elephant. Lift fingers, make a clenched fist and repeat. Performed daily, this exercise can improve blood flow and reduce soreness in your hands.

The USDA recommends washing hands 20 seconds to get them clean. Of course, your hands will need extra time and attention to maintain a normal healthy appearance.

July 1999
Gardening in July | 50 Plants & Flowers You May Not Want to Eat | Butterflies & Caterpillars in Your Garden | Patch Disease in Lawns | Ode to Violet | Lawn Care Calendar | Bug Bites | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Summer Time is Tea Time | Locally Grown: The Farmers' Market | Summertime Food: Eating in the Street | It's a Wash: Gardener's Hands | Health & Household Tips | Did You Know

Index | Feedback