Last year and this one as well, something happens to the skin on my fingers about a week after shrimping, causing them to crack and HURT.
Were it to happen right away while out there, I’d guess allergic reaction to the Bait Binder or to the shrimp themselves, but it doesn’t happen right away… but like 5 days later, skin on that knuckle area gets slightly bumpy, always in pretty much this same place, and then a tiny crack that’s itchy as hell appears, and then, it tears open like this and hurts! It’s usually on my net-holding hand, but it also happens on my right, which I use to draw the net back in.
I can post a before and an after for comparison… sorry for posting a gross topic, but I gotta find out what’s causing this.
Has this happened to anyone else, and if so, is there anything that you’ve found that either a: counteracts it, or b: gets rid of it any quicker?
I’m not sure what’s causing that, my hands will itch after heading the shrimp sometimes. My suggestion is to get some of those heavy duty latex or nitrile gloves from the parts store and wear them the next time you go and see if it helps.
I walked into a jelly fish last weekend and got stung in about a 2 inch spot by my left ankle. After the first 5-10 minutes, it didn’t sting or really bother me much but now, a week later, it’s still red, itchy and slightly raised. You can clearly see exactly where the tentacle got me.
Maybe something like that?
My hands peel throughout the season. Maybe the salt water is drying them out. Go see Dr. Germain in Mt.P. she’s a great dermatologist. Maybe swap up, and let someone else throw the net. See if it gets better.
I don’t think it’s an allergic reaction. Mine always get dry and crack up during shrimping season. And the skin peels off my fingers. I just use a good hand lotion until the season is over.
I had trouble with this for a few years. Finally went with Latex gloves. I wear them making balls from Bait Binder and while throwing the net. Cheap and don’t have a problem anymore. Takes a little getting use to. Its also fun watching somebody try putting them on with wet hands. The blue gloves you get at Wally World (Nitrile I think) work fine too.
Interested to hear a number of you with this problem, too. Enzyme in shells sort of digests the upper layers of your skin and kills it causing you to have the itching and shedding about a week out. This will also happen if you peel raw thawed shrimp from the freezer. I’ve found almost any glove prevents it, so they don’t have to be real heavy. I use some lighter weight fabric ones with the latex on the palm surface and can head easily with them and they help pulling that net, too.
2 mil nitrile (blue painters) - hahahaha they last about 30 seconds.
6 Mil Black Nitrile - shrimp horns poke right through causing failure of glove.
Home Depot Orange nitrile palm, fabric gloves 10-12 pack - Very very slippery when wet
Mustad fishing glove, nitrile palm, fabric glove - good grip, too thick and bulky.
shhhhhhhh miss penny
Been heading shrimp since I was weally, weally little with no problems… Just got back from Beaufort on the broad river and ain’t gotta worry bout no shrimp heads tonight…
3rd trip to another favorite spot and Nada,Carolina seafood is turning out to be my best spot so far this year…
Was told by a dermatologist that it was a reaction to the acid in the shrimp heads that was able to get into the skin due to small scratches/cuts etc from the net or heading the shrimp. FYI, masonry gloves work great as they have a thick, yet flexible palm/fingers, but are mesh on the backs of your hands so they are more comfortable. I put thin nitrile underneath, then those gloves on top. Havn’t had a single problem the last several seasons since doing this. Also noticed that my friends that used to make fun of me for doing this have since asked to borrow gloves!!
shhhhhhhh miss penny