Dry cracked hands?

Question

My hands get all dry and cracking every winter. wwwhhhhyyyy??? It started a few years ago, and it's mostly around the knuckles, and inbetween the first finger and thumb. What should I use, and what is this anyway?

Answer 1

It's just from the dryness of the season and the use of heat to keep warm. I always use vegetable shortening and wear socks prior to going to bed. I wake in the morning with softer, smoother skin and the cracks are lessened. Takes a few times if the cracks are bad. It does work though and after my skin is healed up I just do it once a month or so to keep it that way.

Answer 2

Get a parafin treatment. Many salons do it, as do day spas. Try Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (local drug store will have it.) I also use Burt's Bees Hand Salve. My mother's hands are really a mess during the cold months and she's been using a product called Liquid Gloves (goes on like a lotion) in addition to the Neutrogena cream. I think a store like Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics will have the liquid gloves. Whenever you go outside wear gloves because your hands will get chapped just like lips can. Apply the lotion or cream after the shower and throughout the day.

Answer 3

There is a product on the market called "crack cream". It is made for this affliction. Walgreens used to carry it. (I bought it years ago for my now ex-husband who was/is a construction worker). So it might still be there, I just have had no reason to look for it.

Another cream that works well is available at veterinarian supply stores (no, I am not kidding). It is udder cream. This is used for nursing cows. In fact, I think they may have a "human" version of it on the market now.

I really do not know why some people are afflicted with these skin cracks and others are not. It can also occur on the heels of your feet. It is terribly, terribly painful and can get easily infected.

Please take care of this as soon as possible.

Answer 4

This happens to me, too-- or well, it used to. I have found very useful creams. My tops would be: Aquaphor, Neutrogena and my new favorite, the cheapest and most fragrant, Lemon Cream Shea Butter hand cream, found at Target. Applying a hand cream to your hands after washing, or every few hours, will help. Also, because I cook a lot, and have four children, I switched to a conditioning soap. I leave the strong stuff to the kids, and wash my own hands with Dove, and I avoid using HOT water, just warm.
Wearing Vaseline and mittens does repair hands, that's true. Socks and Vaseline for feet, too. But my doctor reports that drinking water will not get moisture to your skin.

Answer 5

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RE:
Dry cracked hands?
My hands get all dry and cracking every winter. wwwhhhhyyyy??? It started a few years ago, and it's mostly around the knuckles, and inbetween the first finger and thumb. What should I use, and what is this anyway?

Answer 6

Winter is a very bad time for dry skin. My husband has the same problem., except for being more severe.

Try to keep a little humidity in the air, and don't neglect to drink water yourself. Also, find a good lotion and use it, lots of it. Also, there is an oil I found at a local nutrition store that is good for dry skin. It's not mineral oil, but more of a combination of different vegetable and nut oils. It's great stuff!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Probably most people have this happen in Winter.

It happens because there isn't moisture in the air in buildings and because the cold, dry, air outside dries out whatever moisture is in our hands.

You have to use a handcream pretty much regularly after you wash your hands, and be careful not to use a scratchy towel. With your hands as dry as they are in Winter the skin gets torn more easily if you do something like reach past the hardware in a pocketbook, use a scratchy towel, or do any work outdoors.

Answer 8

The vasiline and gloves remedy is the best...but you can go a step further by putting saran wrap on your hands before you put the gloves or socks on...this will re-assure that the vasaline doesnt absorb into the gloves.

Try it tongiht...it is a miracle.

Also...just make a consious effort to apply lotion like every half hour during the day...next thing you know it will become habit!!

Answer 9

Try using Burts Bees Banana hand cream, it's really soothing.
When you put the cream on - cover your hands with cotton gloves, they sell them at most pharmacies. Also.....make sure you really dry your hands well after washing, soap is really irritating to cracked skin and remember to always use rubber gloves when washing dishes or cleaning the house with any cleaning liquids.

Answer 10

find some olive oil or grapeseed oil. Mix with salt to make a scrub, scrub for a few seconds then raise with water and wash hands. Afterwards put an excessive dry skin lotion, bag-balm, or vasoline on your hands and put gloves on over night.