[Pole 2 Pole]

Morning all. As title says, i'm starting to get all sorts of hard skin issues on my hands. The one on the inside base of my thumb is almost starting to cause limited movement, ie clicking my fingers is almost impossible. It's all started after a couple of years of poling. I tried uploading piccies but computer is soo slow.Has anyone else had similar probs? If sooooo, how did they overcome it??? Thankyou, Dean

[alanwilson]

can't help mate but I would go and see a doctor

[Slash]

Give it up,you 'll go blind

[Londoner]

Wear gloves, just cheap work gloves are fine

[bumper]

its called  w****rs cramp

[Pole 2 Pole]

Fnaw Fnaw 

[bobby p]

personally id not hurry to a doctor  because then it will be on your records and could well stop you ever getting a job later.  i once was diagnosed with premature wear of the knee joints and it stays on your record even if my knees are okay now

[bumper]

try using your left hand or get someone to help you

[Pole 2 Pole]

Oh dear. Some of you must be really bored lol. Still trying to sort out piccy

[bumper]

its nice sunny day 2day im going to play with my pole than do some garding .
                  bumper

[Pole 2 Pole]

Damn. Why can't I send pic from my iPhone? Bloody technology lol. Still 2 weeks off the smokes :-)

[Pope vader]

i have a problem with my right had  turns out it is tendonitis and have to get a glove for it,  nothing can be done  it is because the hand is over scretched and stretcing the tendon

[simon w]

Try moisturising your hands more often, this will help stop the skin cracking and a thin pair of work gloves will help eliminate friction between hands and pole.

[Pole 2 Pole]

I personally think it's just where the skin goes hard to protect itself,if thar makes sense. I'll go n see the quack next week. I pay me taxes    

[WISEOWL]

Seamstresses get this phenomenon with their finger tips.

I also have hard skin on my thumb but not to the extent of limited mobility.

Maybe you're working too hard 

[bad trippy]

I have hard skin on the inside of my right thumb, it give me discomfort when im on the pole, but last week i bought a bag full of girl hair bands from my local pound store,and wrapped a single hair band around my thumb,
Jobs a good un!

[Steve Sed]

I also wonder whether the ingrained carbon deposits on the hands may be harmful long term.

[Alex Gardiner]

I also wonder whether the ingrained carbon deposits on the hands may be harmful long term.

Quoting from the carbon fibre 'Material Safety Data Sheet' "Protective Gloves - no specific hand protection noted, but gloves may still be advisable (rubber or plastic)".

For all water fed pole work the use of protective gloves should form a standard part of any contractor's method statement and risk assessment.  Any employer certainly should ensure that gloves are used for all aspects of water fed pole work.  Pure water has a very drying affect on the skin which will exacerbate any skin condition or cracking.  Also, the contaminants found on hose reels and pole hose should ideally be kept away from bare skin.  When using carbon fibre poles, it also helps protect against black carbon dust.  When using fibre glass poles (mainly pull-extruded poles - Bayersan, Exel) gloves should ideally be worn to help protect against splinters.  When using aluminium poles, gloves should also be used to help prevent aluminium poisoning of the skin.

[Pole 2 Pole]

Can it be reversed Alex? To your knowledge. And maybe you should send a copy of that out with every pole you send. Cos mine are going to pot :-(

[bumper]

do dornt hear fishemen complaining when fishing the pole