Throwers use their hands all the time in training and they can get beat up and painful, so its good to learn how to deal with them so you can keep training.
Prevention of cuts and rips on the hands is the best, keeping callus down by filling them or using a pumice stone, so they don't catch when you throw and rip off, its painful and difficult to treat when it happens, but it does I think we have all done it at some point so what to do when it happens?
A lot of people use some form of tape to help grazes on the hands, there are tons of different type of tape, its mostly about personal preference and just keep trying different things until you find something that works for you. I have used paper tape for a long time, you can get it in any drug store first aid section, but recently used clear tape which is similar but can stretch. I have heard that kinesio works well but never tried it. Some people use gauze/bandage to wrap their glove hand for extra padding.
I would recommend getting a glove that fits well and is a soft leather that doesn't need much breaking in, these tend to be thinner but you can wrap your hand with gauze/bandage for training.
One thing that I use is second skin/new skin which is a liquid bandage that creates a layer over the broken skin it also had antiseptic in it to kill bacteria but BE WARNED it stings so bad!! but when it helps stop more rubbing on the skin.
Using creams like sudocrem or an antiseptic cream post training and hand balms work well to, I have used this and it helps to heal
There is a lot of pressure through the joints when we throw so can get swollen, ice is the best, stick your hand in a bowl of ice water can help reduce the swelling and pain.
If you are just starting there is not much you can do your hands will get used to it and you will find a way that works for you.
How do you help your hands?
Sophie
X
