Son Has Calluses on His Hands

Hi. My daughter, who is 7 now, also developed calluses from the money bars etc...at the park. They went away while we left for the summer. As for treatment, I don't have an answer because it was not necessary for us to seek treatment. Good luck.

I remember that happening to me as a child from recess at school and from gymnastics. Very normal, No big deal.

Good for you! You are doing very well in this age of video games and virtual play. Both of my kids (aged 6 and 8, girl and boy) get blisters and calluses from the monkey bars. It's the battle cry of an active child.

As a child I did gymnastics, including the bars. We all got calluses along the tops of our palms beneath the base of our fingers. It can happen, but I don't know about how often you have to do it to get calluses. For gymnasts, they often start as blisters that rip open and then callus over. A bit painful, but not long lasting. Not a big deal, in my opinion.

Hi, The calluses come from the use of the monkey bar or the rings. It has occurred to my two kids as well their ages are 7 and 9 . To prevent this he needs gloves. You find them in a sport shop.

yes, that is very common especially from the monkey bars. they may even rip... have him stay off them if it hurts.

That's my daughters favorite thing at recess. She gets calluses too. It's normal if he plays on it a lot, and it doesn't take long to get them.

I worked in an elementary school for several years, and this is very common. If you watch kids at recess, you can understand why. They play hard, and they love to do the same things over and over again, day after day, especially on the playground.

I remember very distinctly getting calluses from the monkey bars when I was that age, It was a sort of source of pride :)

I would never have given this a second thought honestly. When I was that age I was a real monkey. I liked on the jungle gyms, climbed trees and ropes, did gymnastics. I had calluses. When you climb ropes, you really really want them.

monkey bars cause calluses. It is not an issue. My daughters used to come home with calluses all the time from the monkey bars and I remember the same thing happening to me when I was a kid. It is not unusual in fact it is good that yor child is so active.

all my best. E.

C.,
This is all normal, my son was and still is the same way and he is now 21 years old. His hands and feet also peel in the summer. Like you I was concerned and mentioned it to his doctor who told me what I already knew, that it is normal. In the winter I had him use Aveeno lotion every day, in the morning before school, then whenever he washed his hands at home and before he went to bed each night. Try it, you should see some improvement over time.
T.

I don't know about any other young children having calluses, but I certainly remember always swinging and climbing when I was a kid and having calluses. If he is indeed a busy boy, swinging like a monkey every day, I'm sure it's a normal skin defense to produce calluses.

Hi C.
I am guessing that you never played on swing sets. We always had calluses. It was just the result of holding on tightly. We didn't want them gone because then you had to build them up again. They didn't hurt, as I remember, you just couldn't play as long without the calluses.
My boys always had them, not the girls, they didn't like hanging on tight so they just slid and used the swings.
God bless you
Enjoy
K. SAHM married 38 years 4 grown children of our own and 7 grown foster kids.

Hi C.,
Yes, I've seen this many times with children who play a lot on the monkey bars and rings. As a matter of fact, when I was your son's age I had perpetual calluses because these were my favorite playground activities! :-) The calluses will go away as he plays less frequently on them or as his hands get used to the friction. But, do pay attention if his skin looks tender or blisters begin forming underneath. That can happen if he's overdoing it. He's probably having a great time!
Enjoy!

Actually I had the same thing with my 7 year old daughter. They were so calloused she was peeling. I had her stay off the monkey bars for a week and it started to go away. Though that was very hard as she is a very active kid. But it was her palms that got calloused which is what worried me. Her skin was very dry and she has exzcema so that made it worse. The doctors said this was the reason. She just cant do the monkey bars so much and needs to keep her hands moisturized. Tell that to a 7 year old. Hope it hepled

C.,

My son 5 and daughter 6 both have them. They got them from playing on the monkey bars on the swing set. They love it so much that it was hard to tell them that they couldn't do the monkey bars because of their hands. They said that it didn't bother them so off they played.

oh yes. my 6 y/o developed calluses on his hands around age 4 or 5. kids "work" is their play, so this is typical. consider it one sign that your son is developing well!

My daughter is 6 and the same thing happens. She loves the monkey bars and that's an unfortunate side effect...if they are torn open or hurt him, tell him to not do the monkey bars for a few days and they should clear up.

When I was young I used to play on the monkey bars alot, and always got calluses on my hands. Sometimes they hurt sometimes they didn't. He will be just fine. They can show up from just playing once on the things he plays on. Just keep the lotion going and let him know if they start hurting to cut back from being a monkey for a little while. Best of luck. ~T.~

Hi C.,

What this means is that your son RULES! the monkey bars at recess. He's king monkey boy;)
Which translate to coolness and many friends.
I to had calluses as a child from the monkey bars and my daughter as well.

The monkey bars are hard and it takes a lot of practice to master and a lot of coordination.

The other kids are impressed with the kids who are able to master the monkey bars. It is an inside thing and parents wouldn't understand.
I was good at gymnastics as well, so that is the natural progression for the king monkey bar boys and queen monkey bar girls.
Now if he becomes really good at gymnastics the calluses will stay if he looses interest they will go with time and no one will be the wiser, until he has his children and he remembers how once apon a time he ruled the monkey bars.

love and support.

I have a 7 year old son. He also has calluses on his hand. Same reasoning, from the monkey bars.

If he is playing on them just about everyday then it is normal that he should get calluses. I just know from my own experience and that is all I used to play on when I was younger.

My 7yo has caluses on her hands and has for a while. She is a very active child and loves to swing from the monkey bars, do wood, clean up at the horse barn, basically anything outside that is active she loves it. I tell her to wash her hands and sometimes the dirt is so ground in from the day she has to wash several times before they look clean. I think caluses are a natural part of any active life. I would only be concerened if he cut his hands open on something due to risk of infection. Make sure his tetnus shot is up to date and be glad your son may never have a problem with childhood obesity or even adult obesity. Relax and enjoy a very active child. Every day brings new interests and challenges. It sounds like you have a great kid!!! A.