Rips
What is ripping? A tearing of the skin on hands, usually from a built-up callous.
It results from working on the uneven bars. Usually, the outer layer
of skin rips, but sometimes it can be deeper and even bleed. Should
bleeding occur, the gymnast should immediately notify a coach.
Rip kits
Each gymnast must bring their own rip kit in their gym bag for every practice. This kit should include the following: nail clippers, tweezers, manicure scissors, gauze pads, Band-aids, Neosporin or an antibiotic cream, and gymnastics tape.

"Rip" pointers:
a. If part of the skin is still attached, carefully cut off this flap of skin with small scissors (do not tear skin off). Remove thickened areas at edges of the rip to prevent further ripping.

b. Wash area thoroughly with soap and water. Pat dry.

c. Apply small amount of Neosporin to raw area, cover with appropriate-sized Band-aid, and secure with gymnastics tape wrapped around your hand.

d. At night, apply a generous amount of Neosporin, Vaseline, A&D  ointment, or Preparation H (or similar hemorrhoid cream) to raw area and cover your hand with a clean cotton sock.

e. Expose the "rip" to air during the day. If the raw skin is dry, apply a thing coat of Vaseline, A&D, or Preparation H to keep the healing skin soft.

f. Repeat step #d until healing is complete.

g. At your next practice after ripping, your hand still may be tender doing bars. You may have to do less routine work and conditioning instead(chin-ups, leg lifts, and scissors). Taping and/or wearing grips will help until the area is healed.

h. Rips usually heal in a couple of days.
Cutting down on rips
a. Try wearing grips. Some gymnasts prefer them, some do not.

b. Keep skin on hands soft by liberally applying a hand lotion severaltimes a day (preferably containing Vitamin E). This lotion need not be expensive.

c. Use an emery board to carefully file callouses off.
Rips are a gymnasts"red badge of courage" and a normal consequence of working bars. With good maintenance and care, they won't become a problem.
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