When Herbert Rankin of Houston got suspicious of purchasing Bag Balm or Udder Butter – at a cattle feed store – for his daughter’s blistered hands and irritated writsts, he enlisted a chemist to analyze these products. His discovery led to a new product that could become a staple in gyms everywhere. Rankin learned that one of the ingredients, oxyquinoline, was present at 10 times the level approved for humans by the FDA. He was also told by the FDA that neither product should be used on humans.
Rankin took the advice and decided to invent his own formula. He told the chemist the product should help heal rips and blisters, soothe discomfort caused by the friction between grips and wrists, and condition the skin to reduce further injuries.
The result was HandeBalm, which is made with ingredients that meet FDA specification for over-the-counter drugs. HandeBalm is composed of: lanolin (soothing, skin-sealing); petrolatum (prevents drying or cracking); mineral oil (thinning agent); dimethicone (protects skin from future damage); vitamin E (reconstruction of damaged skin); aloe vera (soothes and speeds healing of abrasions, cuts); menthol (pain relief); phenol (pain relief, designed as an antiseptic); eucalyptus oil (healing properties); vitamin A (reconstruction of damaged skin); beeswax (skin softening).
Recommended use includes nightly application to palms and wrists, with sport socks covering hands to prevent the medication from getting in the eyes or on bedding.
Rankin formed a corporation, Gold Star Products, Inc., (1-888-838-1226 toll free) and sold his first jar of HandeBalm at the 1997 Las Vegas Go For It Classic. He has received positive feedback from the gymnastics community so far, and HandeBalm is now available through various distributors.
It is not available at cattle feed stores. |
