Winter’s cold air and conditioned indoor space is the perfect recipe for dry skin, especially on our hands. Then add frequent hand-washing and you’ve got a recipe for itchy, cracked hands that may even bleed.
To prevent this, consult these dermatologist-approved tips. From moisturizers to ointments, you’ll find solutions to keep your hands soft and crack-free.
1. Use a Moisturizer
Washing your hands to keep them clean and free from germs is a great way to prevent infection, but it can also dry out your skin. If your hands are very dry and cracked, it’s important to use a moisturizer to keep them hydrated. There are several hand lotions and ointments available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If your cracked hands are not healing after using home treatments, talk to a dermatologist for a prescription cream or ointment that is stronger than what you can buy over-the-counter as your fingertips peeling.
A good hand cream will be thicker and provide a stronger protective barrier for your skin than hand lotions. Look for a product that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, dyes, or perfumes, as these ingredients can make your skin dry and itchy. Try to find a hand cream that contains natural oils, such as shea butter and coconut oil, to help your skin stay hydrated.
When you are washing your hands, avoid antibacterial soaps, which are more drying than regular soap. Instead, choose a gentle moisturizing soap (Dr. O’Brien recommends Dove) and rinse thoroughly, paying special attention to the backs of your hands and between your fingers. If you must use antibacterial soap, choose a moisturizing lotion immediately afterward to rehydrate your skin.
You may also want to apply a thick hand ointment or salve before bed, especially if your hands are severely dry and cracked. For example, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is a great option for anyone who has problems with dry and cracked skin. The salve is easy to spread, smells pleasant and works well on irritated skin.
It’s also a good idea to use sunscreen on your hands, as the sun can dry out your skin. Try a SPF 15 or higher to protect your hands from sun damage and to prevent cracking and peeling.
If you have severe cracked hands, please visit a certified and experienced dermatologist for professional care and treatment. Skin Cancer Specialists has locations in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy and Conroe, and our team of dermatologists will be happy to assess your condition and provide you with a personalized treatment plan for your specific situation. To schedule your appointment, contact us today!
2. Wash Your Hands Regularly
Frequent hand-washing is essential to preventing the spread of germs, especially during this pandemic. However, the constant rubbing and drying of the hands can also take a toll on the skin. The rubbing and washing strip the hands of the natural oils they need to keep them moisturized and healthy. Over time, this can lead to dry and itchy hands that crack easily.
Using the right soap is key to preventing dry, cracked hands. Use one that is gentle, such as glycerin soap or liquid soap. Liquid soaps can also be easier to rinse off than bar soap. Bar soap should only be used in schools and daycare settings where the hands may come into contact with more germs that can cause infection.
When you wash your hands, make sure to scrub for at least 20 seconds. This is about the time it takes to hum the Happy Birthday song from beginning to end twice. Rinse thoroughly and dry your hands. If you need to get rid of germs quickly, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
If your hand cracks open and start bleeding, you can use a topical cream or ointment to protect the area and add moisture back to the skin. A dermatologist can recommend a protective cream or ointment that works for your skin type and needs.
A thicker ointment such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment is better than a lotion since it seals the cracks to prevent water from getting in and further drying the skin. It contains 41% petrolatum (skin protectant), glycerin and panthenol to help heal the cracked skin and restore smooth, healthy hands. Cover the ointment with a thin layer of skin bandage or liquid skin wrap to speed up recovery.
Your dermatologist can suggest prescription topical creams that contain urea or lactic acid, which help heal dry and scaly skin. They can also provide prescription topical ointments that reduce inflammation and increase moisture levels in the skin to promote healing.
3. Apply a Nighttime Treatment
As the seasons change, and the humidity drops, irritants like cold air, detergents, and harsh soaps zap skin’s natural oils, leaving it rough and chapped. Frequent hand-washing and over-reliance on hand sanitizers can also do damage, since these products don’t discriminate between germs and the skin’s natural oil barrier. Over time, this can lead to cracks that allow in moisture-stealing germs and aggravate the underlying skin condition that caused them.
If dry cracked hands persist, it’s time to visit a dermatologist. Mild cases are treatable at home, but if there’s redness, itching or cracking that won’t go away, you might have an underlying problem such as contact dermatitis or eczema. These skin conditions can be itchy, painful and can spread to the rest of the body if not treated early and appropriately.
For severe cracks that don’t respond to moisturizers or frequent hand-washing, there are liquid bandage products available that seal the cracks and provide an ideal healing environment. This is especially useful for people who have a condition that leads to cracking of the skin such as eczema or psoriasis.
If the cracks are so deep that they bleed, visit your doctor immediately. They may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. This will require you to cover the ointment with a plastic wrap such as a Band-Aid, which can be a pain but is necessary for proper healing.
For people who experience this painful skin condition, there are moisturizing gloves that are lined with synthetic material that slowly releases a soothing formula during the night. These are very comfortable and easy to wear. You can even find moisturizing gloves made from materials such as bamboo that are hypoallergenic and antibacterial. They can be purchased online and at many local stores. You can also try a sturdier option such as a pair of work gloves, which are more resistant to water and chemicals.
4. Wear Gloves
In colder months, the amount of moisture in the air drops dramatically, and the skin on your hands gets dehydrated. Wearing gloves can help rehydrate the skin on your fingers, and using a lotion that contains petroleum jelly can lock in moisture so that your skin doesn’t lose more.
Some people find that slathering their hands with a thick moisturizer at bedtime and then covering them in gloves helps rehydrate their skin overnight, which can help heal cracked hands faster. This is especially helpful for people who suffer from a medical condition that causes dry skin on the palms of their hands, like psoriasis. If you notice cracks on the palms of your hands, speak to a dermatologist about treatment options.
Depending on the cause of your cracked hands, you may need to wear disposable gloves for work or other activities that require frequent hand washing. Using a heavy lotion that contains petroleum jelly on your hands can rehydrate the skin even when wearing gloves. If you are working with a substance that can irritate the skin, such as cleaning products or disinfectant sprays, it may be best to sanitize the inside of the glove with alcohol-based hand sanitizer before putting it on and after removing it.
People who work in healthcare are at an increased risk for developing dermatitis on their hands. One of the leading causes is frequent handwashing with harsh cleansers. Wearing latex gloves can irritate the skin and cause a skin reaction in some people.
If you have a sensitivity to latex, consider switching to a vinyl or neoprene alternative when possible, such as a surgical-grade disposable glove. Gloves with gel linings or liquid bandages are also helpful in preventing dry, itchy hands while still allowing you to be productive and effective at your job. You can even slathel on an ointment before putting on your gloves to kill bacteria and prevent infections and help with the skin’s healing process. You can buy these products at most drugstores.