I am looking for a pair of garden gloves that don't let the dirt in. Most every pair I have ever had lets the dirt in at the tips of the fingers, and it destroys my manicure. If anyone has any suggestions, could you mention not only the brand but which ones are most protective, as each brand often has many styles and selections to choose from. I used some latex gloves yesterday, and today my hands are inflammed, red and itching. Guess i must be allergic to the gloves or else I got into some poison ivy or something. Anyway I am desperate for a pair of good, protective gloves that don't leak dirt and mud in.

CB - never thought anyone else used Comet! Actually, I find the state of my hands and feet are sometimes the source of new gardening friends! To see one, is to know one.... I long ago stopped worrying but don't wear sandals out in public anymore and sometimes use an old toothbrush with bleach under the nails when the occasion calls for it. One day I stopped at the door to my husband's studio, looking like I usually do when in the yard..covered with dirt, blood running down my legs, plumbago flowers stuck everywhere, smelling less than fragrant,dressed in saggy tank top and torn shorts, and said to him... "Is this the woman who stole your heart?" His response was something like.."How come when I see photos of other gardeners, they are dressed in long skirts, wearing hats, carrying straw baskets full of flowers?" So I said, "you're just lucky, I guess." So no more vanity in my life! Hester

Is this something new or something that has been on-going? I ask because I find doctors are great at treating symptoms but not always so good at addressing what is really wrong - like what is causing your feet to be dry and cracking. If it is new, what has changed? And I am assuming that this is causing you pain or bleeding and is not just a "looks dry" sort of thing for you to be so worried. Because personally I have dry and cracking skin on the back of my heels and it's never caused me any discomfort. It's just the way my skin is and I don't try to fight it.....I don't think I could anyways without a great deal of constant effort. That said, I find the healthiest thing for anyone's feet is to not be in shoes. Air your feet out as much as you can. Socks are ok...use cotton socks or some other natural breathable fabric if your feet get chilly. And for dry and chapped skin, I like to use a simple calendula salve. I make my own out of calendula blossoms that I've grown and harvested along with olive oil and beeswax. Simple stuff to make but it does wonders for me. FataMorgana

Joann... I used to have the very same problem, those skin cracks are so painful. I would put a little glob of Neosporin with a bandaid at night. I too discovered the Nexcare skin crack care and found it worked really good, they healed a lot quicker. Have you tried Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Care Cream? It was created for Norwegian fishermen. That is what has worked the best for me. It only takes a little dab of it since it's very concentrated. I use it at night then sleep with my hands under the covers. It makes my hands feel so nice and soft and if I use it every night I don't get the painful skin cracks