BEING FAIR-SKINNED HAS ITS DRAWBACKS.  Those who look at people like us and deride us for “white privilege” haven’t a clue.

All my life I’ve had issues with my skin.  I inherited it from my mother, who almost as far back as I can remember had to wear long sleeves, sun hats, and would periodically have to have skin lesions removed with nitrogen “burning.” I needed some of the same at my last dermatologist appointment.  I sunburn easily in summer and in the winter I get cracked hands due to lack of humidity in the air.

In my thirties, I was diagnosed with a condition known as pityriasis rosea, a harmless but irritating rash that required me to shower with a salicylic acid-based soap, applied by scrubbing with a “Buf-Puf” sponge.  Today, a soap like Aveeno or similar cream is recommended.

My last dermatologist appointment was to address my dry skin and itchiness.  I came away with a prescription for Alclometasone Dipropionate, a low-potency skin cream used to treat various skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and some allergic reactions.  I have found it no more effective than over-the-counter colloidal oatmeal creams, such as Eucerin or Cetaphil.

When winter sets in, another uncomfortable skin condition sets in:  Dry, cracked skin.  I get it mostly on my hands, probably since they are exposed to the air all the time.  I also find my lower legs and feet some time get dry and itchy, but only my hands crack.  Not only are the cracks painful, but as a guitarist, they interfere with my playing.  This has caused me to try a number of remedies.  Hand lotions help, but I can’t always apply a lotion after washing my hands, so I’ve taken to carrying small tubes of ointments specifically formulated for cracked skin.  Gold Bond Cracked Skin Fill & Protect I find works extremely well.

Gold Bond Cracked Skin Fill & Protect

My introduction to cracked skin relief came a number of years ago when I was informed of a product called Zim’s Crack Creme.  It stung when it was applied, and its smell wasn’t the most pleasant, but it has been discontinued.  The company still offers Zim’s Max Crack Creme, but I don’t find it quite as effective.  I do use the creme as a complete hand lotion though, and not for spot repairs.

Bag Balm and Udder Cream were both developed by farmers whose livestock (cows, mostly) suffered similar effects during the winter months.  At some point, they realized humans could benefit from these ointments, and the public reception has been mostly positive.  I have also purchased shea butter-based creams such as the Out of Africa vanilla scent.  I hesitate to use it however, as it’s thick, and as one who uses a keyboard throughout the day, I can only suggest it as a night time treatment.

The next time you cast aspersions on a white person simply because of their skin color (which is not acceptable for a person of any color) just consider that we may have issues that folks with hardier skin don’t.