Mystery cuts

[AreaCode707]

Ok, I've been puzzling over this for weeks and am out of ideas.

A few months ago I noticed that I had a few little cuts on my fingertips. They're very fine and not very deep, just the top layer of skin and perfectly straight, about .25 to .5 inches in length. I initially assumed I brushed up against the edge of my razor when shaving my legs in the shower and ignored them; they look exactly like that would look.

However, I keep noticing them on my fingertips! Mostly my right hand, usually pinky finger or that edge of the hand. I KNOW it's not the razor since I've been attentive to that now. I'm trying to figure out where it might be from. Wringing water out of my long hair and getting a "papercut" from that? Pulling the cork out of a wine bottle when the foil is still on the top? Carrying my laptop around and sliding my finger against the plastic joined edge? Brushing up on something sharp when I close a door? (We recently moved without a chance, so it's not a specific door...)

I mostly notice them when I get out of the shower, new ones every couple of days, so I've been trying to figure out if that's where I'm getting them or just when I happen to notice them. They're not deep enough to bleed and they don't hurt so it's not really a big deal. I'm just curious.

Suggestions?

 

[StageLeft]

If you were in a cold climate I'd say you have dry skin cracking from the winter dry-air. It seems less possible in CA, but are you dry in general, your hands or skin?

 

[Megatomic]

I get those too, mostly on my index/thumb/middle fingers. But I only get them in winter (NY and TX) and it's from the cold dry air. I just put a layer of New Skin on them and they heal right up. I also moisturize my skin as best as I can to minimize the occurrence. My little cuts hurt, but mostly from getting stuff in them. That's how I discovered New Skin, so I could peel oranges and grapefruits.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I'd pay more attention to what you're doing...I think it's more that than cracks from dryness. I'd think the dryness would be all over your hands...itchy and white.

 

[EvilYoda]

Someone's cutting you in your sleep. He's a really small man.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If you were in a cold climate I'd say you have dry skin cracking from the winter dry-air. It seems less possible in CA, but are you dry in general, your hands or skin?

They're not simply cracks, they're actually little slices at an angle where the skin that was sliced is still sitting on top of the cut, very neatly. (And though my profile says CA, I'm actually in WA.)

I don't generally have dry skin, no.

Still leaning towards it happening when I wring out my hair. That can actually cut you, right?

 

[cKGunslinger]

I was getting these before, always noticed them after a shower or washing dishes. Tiny, shallow slices in the tips of my fingers.

Never really figured it out, but I haven't noticed them lately.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If you were in a cold climate I'd say you have dry skin cracking from the winter dry-air. It seems less possible in CA, but are you dry in general, your hands or skin?

They're not simply cracks, they're actually little slices at an angle where the skin that was sliced is still sitting on top of the cut, very neatly. (And though my profile says CA, I'm actually in WA.)

I don't generally have dry skin, no.

Still leaning towards it happening when I wring out my hair. That can actually cut you, right?

It's not gonna cut you unless you have some sort of disorder. I would put money on it.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If you were in a cold climate I'd say you have dry skin cracking from the winter dry-air. It seems less possible in CA, but are you dry in general, your hands or skin?

They're not simply cracks, they're actually little slices at an angle where the skin that was sliced is still sitting on top of the cut, very neatly. (And though my profile says CA, I'm actually in WA.)

I don't generally have dry skin, no.

Still leaning towards it happening when I wring out my hair. That can actually cut you, right?

It's not gonna cut you unless you have some sort of disorder. I would put money on it.

I'd tend to agree, especially because this is relatively recent and I've had hair this length for years. But I'm at a loss otherwise. 🙂

 

[TripleAAA]

You mentioned the wine bottle opening...I've had small lacerations from opening up bottled drinks like Gatorade where the lid is cerrated.