Buzz
Dry and cracked skin on your fingers not only causes discomfort but can also be painful and inconvenient in daily life. Fortunately, in most cases, you can treat cracked skin at home without needing significant medical assistance. Though it might take some time, if properly cared for, your skin will become soft and smooth once again. Continue to maintain care even after your skin has healed to prevent this condition from recurring.
Steps
Wash Your Hands
Switch to a mild soap that contains moisturizing ingredients. Many common soaps contain substances that dry out the skin. If your fingers are already cracked, these soaps can make the condition worse. Look for liquid soap labeled as 'mild' or specifically for sensitive skin.
- Bar soaps often dry the skin more than liquid soaps, even if they contain moisturizing components. If you prefer bar soap, opt for one with oil-based ingredients or soothing elements like aloe vera or oatmeal.
- Avoid using hand sanitizers as they contain alcohol, which can further dry and crack the skin.
Wash your hands with warm water instead of hot water. Hot water can dry out the skin, while cold water might not clean as effectively as you'd want. Instead, opt for warm or lukewarm water. Test the water temperature by letting the water run over the inner part of your arm, rather than your fingertips.
- When bathing in a tub or shower, it’s recommended to use warm water, especially when other areas of your body are also dry.
Limit your time in the bath or under the shower to 5-10 minutes. It may sound counterintuitive, but prolonged water exposure can dry out your skin. Water dilutes and removes the natural oils that moisturize your skin.
- Switch to a gentle liquid body wash, especially if other parts of your skin are also dry. Baby body washes are naturally mild and often fragrance-free.
Gently pat your skin dry after bathing. After showering or bathing, gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Rubbing can cause irritation, worsening dry, cracked, or flaky skin.
- A soft cotton towel or washcloth is gentler on your skin than paper towels. Never use a hand dryer on cracked hands – the heat will dry out your skin further and make the condition worse.
Tip: Carry a handkerchief to dry your hands in public places that only offer hand dryers and paper towels.
Moisturize your skin
Avoid using lotions with fragrances or other chemicals. Fragrances and chemicals have drying properties, meaning they can strip moisture from the skin. Look for fragrance-free lotions designed for dry and sensitive skin, preferably with an oil base.
- Some fragrances and chemicals may even cause allergic reactions, which is a common issue with dry skin. If you’ve previously used scented lotions, this might have contributed to the cracks in your fingers.
Apply oil or moisturizing cream immediately after drying your hands. Gently pat your hands dry, then apply an oil-based moisturizing cream. The cream will lock in moisture and oils to aid in the skin’s healing process.
- Apply a small amount of moisturizer to your hands and gently tap it into the skin rather than rubbing to prevent further peeling or cracking.
Tip: After the moisturizer has absorbed into your skin, gently massage your hands and fingers with even pressure to help the cream penetrate deeper. If your skin still feels dry, apply additional cream following the same steps as before.
Treat your hands with ointments overnight. Heal deep cracks with antibacterial ointments such as Neosporin. After the area has dried, apply a thick layer of ointment over your hands and fingers. Wear a thin cotton glove to preserve moisture.
- Ointments containing petroleum jelly lock in moisture and help heal cracked skin more effectively than most other treatments. However, these ointments are often greasy and may be inconvenient for daytime activities.
Tip: If you don’t have proper gloves, cotton socks can be a helpful alternative. Keep in mind that they may slip off while you sleep, and the ointment could stain your bedding.
Protect your skin
Wear rubber gloves when handling harsh cleaning chemicals. Cleaning is a task everyone has to do, but if your fingers are cracked, it can be painful. Whether scrubbing the bathroom or washing dishes, rubber gloves can protect your hands and prevent the condition of cracked skin from worsening.
- Rubber gloves with an inner lining are often better for your skin since the rubber can rub against the skin, causing it to dry out and crack even more.
- Make sure the gloves are completely dry before wearing them.
Tip: If you use reusable gloves, grip the cuff when removing them to avoid contact with any cleaning chemicals. Wash the outside of the gloves and hang them to dry.
Try using liquid bandages to heal deep cracks. Liquid bandages cover deep cracks, preventing water and bacteria from entering the skin while it heals. These products are available at pharmacies or online.
- Most liquid bandage products come with an applicator brush. Wash your hands and pat them dry before applying. You may need to wait for a minute to ensure your skin is completely dry, then use the brush to apply the liquid bandage to the deep cracks in your skin.
- Wait for one minute for the bandage to dry. Gently pull on the skin near the crack to check if the edge moves. If it does, apply another layer.
- Liquid bandages are water-resistant and can last up to a week.
Wear gloves when going outside in cold weather. Cold weather often causes the skin on your fingers to become dry and cracked. It’s a good idea to buy a good-quality pair of warm gloves and wear them when going outside when temperatures drop below 2°C.
- If possible, wash your hands and apply moisturizer before putting on the gloves.
- Wash your gloves at least once a week with fragrance-free soap specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Advice
- If home remedies don’t help alleviate your symptoms, consider consulting a doctor. Cracked skin can be a sign of an underlying condition such as eczema.
- Apply a cool compress to dry, itchy skin, and then use hydrocortisone cream to soothe inflamed skin.
- If the dryness extends beyond your hands, you may want to consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home.
Things You Will Need
- Fragrance-free, gentle soap
- Moisturizing cream
- Petroleum jelly
- Rubber gloves with lining
- Thin cotton gloves
- Warm winter gloves
- Fragrance-free laundry detergent
