It’s Debbie from your beloved Gold’s… I ran into somebody today that is a hard-core Crossfit dude and a pretty good ballplayer too, and he asked me to post on your board on this topic because he knows I’m the queen of callus (um, he also asked to be deemed nameless and was not working out, just checking out the chicks I guess?) Actually he works out at Crossfit up in Scotts Valley but reads your blog religously for motivation (I see why, great inspiration here Sam.) But coincidently he asked me a while ago about calluses because I’ve been known to have some, and his were a mess from practicing the kipping pullups. Anyway, please be careful with any blades and such on your callus. If you are diabetic or have any circulatory conditions at all, don’t do it. Get care from your doc just as you would for your foot care. But otherwise, when your calluses are super soft and all smooshy-like from a really good soaking, use a dedicated blade like Sam mentioned, a lady’s shaver works well, or a pumice stone. But here is my BIG tip and what I came over here to tell you all about that will change your lives. Tea bags. If you have a ripped callus or a potential rip put a tea bag on it (black tea or a plain old Liptons is better than herbal). Wet the bag and lay it on your callus – ahhh, that will feel so good already – and wrap it with plastic wrap and go to bed. It stains though, so be prepared for stained hands and be careful with your sheets.

This is not an old wives tale… and I’m not an old wife…. this really works. I’ve done it for years and years. The tannic acid has medicinal and antibacterial properties – google it for tons of cool info. I’ve actually wrapped my really badly torn hand in the tea bag/plastic wrap get-up during a tournament and played with it in my batting glove. I’ve lifted with that thing too, kind of Michael Jackson style (RIP King of Pop). The tea streaking down your arm kind of negates any wussiness you feel from using a glove. Also, if you have a callus that is going to rip, or it has ripped wide-gaping open like a big bloody mouth hollering OWIE on your palm, and the timing just sucks… you have a game or a competition or a big lift coming up NOW… in a pinch use Superglue, which will also help stop the bleeding. Google that one too, for you folks into trivia like me. The FDA has an approved skin sealant called Dermabond, if you are the fancy type with different special shoes and socks and maybe even undies for every sport you do, well go get that and keep it in your bag, but us hard-core old-school girls have been using Superglue forever. It is in my bag right now…probably stuck to something, but there and ready for use nonetheless.

Just be careful about lining the edges of skin up together, keep the chalk out, and a little goes a long way. And don’t do it if the thing looks infected already. Get thee to a doctor… a Staph infection would really really suck and knock you out of training for a long time, and that is if you are lucky. Google “necrotizing fasciitis and gyms” to really get grossed out. Fitness facilities and boxes and all manner of places where bodily fluids are flying around are where most people get MRSA and the like, and nothing to mess with.

Last hint is this – to keep the hands uber-moisturized, use Udder Cream, which I think is available at Longs or whatever that place is called now, also Trader Joes. Also Bag Balm is great too, and I’ve actually used that on my dog’s elbows that got all callused. He didn’t understand I was trying to help and he ate the balm, but oh well. Anyway, I do prefer to use something different on the rest of my own body that does not smell like it should be used on a cow, but this stuff is the bomb for your hands. When you are not working your ass off you may need to trade massages with someone and although I personally think bad-ass calloused hands are kinda sexy when you are holding hands, we ladies prefer not to have our bods all scratched up at the very beginning of our evening, all right?

Keep up the hard work, Crossfitters, keep pushing toward your goals and always having fun. If you would like to know about other uses for Preparation H and coffeegrounds, give me a holler.

Best, Debbie

P.S. Shout out to Miss Jocelyn – Good luck girl at your Games. Own it like I know you will and have the time of your life. We are all so proud of you already.