The skin on your hands is dry and cracking: why does this happen and what to do?

Every day we have to deal with a variety of household chemicals, powders, dishwashing detergents, cleaning products, etc. All these substances negatively affect the condition of the skin of our hands, drying it out and leading to the appearance of cracks, accompanied by painful sensations.

In order to protect your own hands, it is necessary to use moisturizers, as well as protective components that do not allow external irritants to affect the skin.

Causes

Dry skin and flaking can cause severe discomfort when performing everyday activities. When the skin gets too dry, it can lead not only to pain, but also to cracks and cause infection.

The reasons why the skin on your hands dries out are varied. A common culprit is external factors such as:

• Adverse weather conditions: low temperatures in winter, wind; in summer - ultraviolet rays;
• Using household cleaners and detergents without gloves;
• Taking too hot baths for a long time, which leads to the washing away of the protective layer of fat, which serves as a natural protection;
• Contact with cement mortar, wallpaper glue during repairs;
• Working with allergens and toxic substances;
• Washing hands with low-fat (laundry) soap;
• Neglect of hand skin care.

Recently, the causes of dry skin on the hands are:

Frequent hand washing;

Use of disinfectants;

Wearing disposable gloves.

Skin without a natural protective barrier is susceptible to damage. Often, aggressive disinfectants applied to a small damaged area turn into open wounds.

The cause of dry hand skin is also poor nutrition, in particular a lack of:

• Vitamins (A, C, E);
• Essential fatty acids (essential fatty acids).

Very dry skin can result from topical use of ointments containing retinoids and steroids.

Spring vitamin deficiency affects not only your well-being, but also the condition of the skin, including your hands.

Dry hand skin is not always the result of a cosmetic problem caused by improper care. The condition is also influenced by dermatological diseases, often having a genetic basis.

One of them is atopic dermatitis. This is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory dermatosis with characteristic morphology and localization. Characteristic signs of dermatosis:

• Redness;
• Severe itching, often leading to cracking of the skin.

The main cause of the disease is the improper structure and function of the epidermis. In this case, you should use appropriate emollients that moisturize, relieve inflammation and itching. Ignoring symptoms opens the door to the development of microorganisms.

Another chronic (non-infectious) disease is psoriasis. With psoriasis, abnormal keratinization of the epidermis occurs with the formation of scales.

Dry skin on the hands can be the result of internal factors, which include:

• Genetic diseases - disruption of the process of epidermal keratosis and damage to the hydrolipid layer of the skin (for example, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis);
• Hormonal disorders;
• Systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism, renal failure, diabetes mellitus;
• Skin aging caused by the “biological clock”;
• Dehydration caused by fever, diarrhea, or vomiting;
• Deficiency of ceramides - compounds that glue dead cells of the stratum corneum and ensure their adhesion to each other, thus reducing the evaporation of water from the epidermis.

Sometimes dry skin on the hands, especially accompanied by cracks in the palms and fingers, appears due to:

• Lack of vitamins;
• Metabolism problems;
• Fungal diseases.

Severely dry hands:

• Scented hygiene products;
• Alcohol;
• AHA acids;
• Retinoids.

Vitamins will cure dry and cracking hand skin

Unfortunately, many are faced with the fact that the skin of their hands is dry and cracks until they bleed, as was revealed above - this may be the result of a lack of vitamins. In this regard, it is necessary to note the role of vitamins in the treatment and care of skin prone to dryness. Also, before you begin restorative measures, you should identify which vitamin the body lacks.

Vitamins of different groups actively take part in the course of biochemical processes inside the skin, regulating its hydration, as well as the production of collagen and elastin. For this reason, we will describe the most necessary vitamins for hand skin care and how the lack of each substance manifests itself:

• vitamin A. A lack of this vitamin in the body leads to a decrease in sebum production. Consequently, the skin becomes drier, painful sensations appear, and cracks appear. In order to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to increase the consumption of red and orange vegetables, as well as greens;
• vitamin B. With a lack of a specific substance, degenerative processes begin in the dermis, which leads not only to the appearance of wrinkles, cracks and a feeling of dryness, but also to the loss of natural color. To compensate for the lack of B vitamins, you should eat chicken eggs and also consume dairy products;
• Vitamin C. This particular vitamin is one of the most common, for this reason its deficiency in the body is very rare. It should be noted that it is vitamin C that takes part in stimulating the production of hyaluron and collagen, preventing the appearance of wrinkles and cracks. As you know, a specific component is present in citrus fruits, apples, rose hips and greens;
• vitamin E. This particular component is an important antioxidant that prevents the harmful effects of free radicals on the skin. In addition, a specific vitamin is necessary to maintain fluid balance at the cellular level, so its lack leads to dry out skin. The substance in question is present in large quantities in vegetable oils, milk and spinach.

What to do preventive measures

Dry skin on the hands, although in most cases is not a dangerous condition, can be irritating and make life difficult from an aesthetic point of view. Red, dry, flaky skin is unsightly.

To minimize the causes of dryness:

• Apply moisturizing hand cream after each wash;
• When working around the house, in the country, or washing dishes, use protective gloves that will limit contact with aggressive substances;
• In frosty, windy weather, wear gloves or mittens and apply cream before going outside;
• In summer, use cosmetics containing protection against UV rays with a coefficient of at least 15;
• Reduce stress, since there is a direct connection between eczema and dryness, peeling of the epidermis on the arms, legs, and body;
• Take medications appropriate to the disease.

The best creams

Sometimes, when you have very dry skin on your hands, it is very difficult to decide what to do and what product to choose. In the previous paragraphs, a wide list of products that you can prepare yourself at home was presented, but now, it should be noted that store-bought products will have a more targeted effect on the problem.

However, in a particular case, you should be careful, since synthetic drugs can cause side effects and only complicate the situation. For this reason, below we will present the safest and most effective preparations intended for hand skin care.

• Silicone based creams
• Contains urea
• Creams for the treatment of dry hands
• Cream for cracked hands
• Nourishing creams
• Silicone Spa Gloves

Creams for healing cracks

Since when the skin dries out, cracks can form on it, which cause a lot of discomfort and pain, you should use substances that promote the rapid healing of such damage to the dermis. Today you can find a lot of drugs in this category on the shelves of specialized stores and pharmacies. In this regard, it is worth highlighting a number of the most effective creams that have a pronounced healing effect on cracks in the hands:

• healing hand cream-balm Recipes from Grandma Agafya;
• Velvet handles Healing effect without scars;
• Amanita against cracks – protecting, softening, healing;
• Astroderm.

Nourishing for very dry hands

Nourishing creams for very dry hand skin have a special effect, providing express assistance. The mechanism of their influence on the skin lies in the fact that the composition of the drug intensively moisturizes the skin, penetrating deep into the dermis. However, you should be careful when using nourishing products intended for very dry skin, since their action is characterized as intense, which can often lead to allergic reactions and other negative consequences. If you have the problem of extremely dry skin, there are no other options; therefore, it is necessary to select the most effective creams:

• NeutrogenaNerwegianFormula;
• Faberlic “Double Breath”;
• Nourishing Hand Cream for Dry Hands;
• Clinique Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream.

Moisturizers with urea

Urea is one of the most prominent components included in moisturizing creams because it has an intense effect. This substance affects the skin in a special way, moisturizing it, restoring water balance and carrying out local regeneration. In this regard, such moisturizing creams can be classified as a number of drugs that should be used if you have the problem of dry skin on your hands. Among the most popular and effective means of a particular category, it is necessary to highlight:

• Flexito Hand Balm;
• Hand- und Nagellotion Handwunder;
• HISEIDO Cream Urea;
• Dulgon Hendcremurea.

Silicone protective creams

Silicone creams are special preparations whose main task is to protect the skin of the hands and fingertips. It is especially important to use fatty creams in winter, when there is low humidity indoors and low temperatures outside, which negatively affects the condition of the skin. For this reason, it is necessary to highlight a number of the most effective silicone creams for hand skin care:

• Nevskaya cosmetics Silicone hand cream;
• Avon with silicone;
• VELENA silicone cream;
• Helen protective cream.

Which cream to choose

Caring for dry hands requires the selection of appropriate cosmetics. Such cosmetic products must contain ingredients that allow:

• Restore the hydrolipid membrane of the epidermis;
• Reduce transepidermal water loss.

A quality hand cream should contain:

• Fats that protect against drying out (glycerin, petroleum jelly, vegetable oils, paraffin);
• Vitamins for skin, such as vitamin A, E;
• Moisturizing components: urea, hyaluronic acid;
• Soothing components: allantoin, D-pantonol.

Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals and protects against the adverse effects of external factors.

Vitamin A regulates cell renewal, improving regeneration.

Urea:

• Reduces symptoms of hyperkeratosis and dry skin,
• Accelerates the regeneration and reconstruction of the epidermis,
• Protects from external factors.

In professional products, its concentration can be up to 20 percent.

Hyaluronic acid binds water in the epidermis, protecting against drying out. Can be used in low temperatures without risk of hand cracking.

Allantoin:

• Has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect;
• Stimulates cell division, renewing the epidermis;
• Reduces flaking and redness.

D-panthenol relieves irritation and inflammation, improves lipid barrier function.

We have recommended special regenerating gloves for hand care, soaked in a healing liquid that contains carefully selected active ingredients, including:

• Urea;
• Hyaluronic acid;
• Shea Butter;
• Vitamins (A + E);
• Olive oil;
• Jojoba and lavender oil.

The heat generated when wearing gloves promotes deeper penetration of the active ingredients. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the incoming components.

If the reason why your hands dry is due to working conditions, always have with you moisturizers that contain:

• Glycerol;
• Jojoba oil;
• Cocoa butter;
• Aloe.

If work requires frequent hand washing, such as in a health care facility with a hand dryer, avoid excessive heat from hot air.

Dry hands - what to do and how to care for your skin?

Basically, the skin begins to dry out under the influence of external factors, for this reason a number of measures can be identified that will help protect your hands and prevent the appearance of cracks, peeling and other symptoms that characterize the described problem:

• using rubber or silicone gloves to work with household chemical products for laundry, washing dishes, etc.;
• applying sunscreen;
• you need to wear warm gloves on your hands at sub-zero temperatures;
• It is necessary to use only high-quality hand detergents with a mild action;
• it is recommended to take vitamins, especially in winter, when many products are unavailable;
• if possible, get rid of bad habits, etc.

Home Remedies

Dry skin on your hands can be treated with home remedies. There are many ingredients in the arsenal that will help eliminate peeling and heal cracks.

The scrub is not just for the face or body. Peeling dead epidermal cells on the hands is the first step towards restoring normal condition and eliminating dryness.

Ground suitable as an abrasive:

• Flax seed;
• Oatmeal;
• Coffee.

You can use water and natural yogurt as liquid ingredients. grated cucumber.

The frequency of the procedure is 1 time per week. The scrub ingredients should not irritate the skin, cause pain or discomfort.

After peeling, apply a mask to your hands. And rinse, nourishing cream.

Honey is an effective remedy against peeling of the palms, fingers, and back of the hands. Accelerates the healing of burns, as it contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds. Helps restore the epidermis.

All you need to do is apply honey to the damaged skin of your hands. You can mix equal amounts of honey, aloe vera and yogurt.

Baths soften the skin.

Fermented milk

You can use natural, no additives yogurt, kefir or whey. Warm up the serum and hold your hands for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, lubricate with cream.

Potato

Potato broth relieves redness from exposure to frost, relieves peeling, and heals small cracks. Keep your hands in the warm broth for 20-30 minutes.

Oatmeal bath

Boil oatmeal. You can take more water, then drain the broth, cool to a comfortable temperature and hold your hands for 10-15 minutes.

Can be made in the form of liquid porridge. Puree the boiled oatmeal. Add olive or other oil. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes.

Ways to deal with cracks

People wonder what to do if they have very dry skin on their feet. Before going to the doctor, the condition can be alleviated using available methods:

1. 
   You can prepare a nutrient mixture from egg yolk mixed with 3 tbsp. l. mashed potatoes, 5 g butter and 10 ml fatty baby cream. Everything is thoroughly mixed and applied to the foot. The top of the leg is wrapped in plastic film and cotton socks or tights are put on. After 20 minutes, the composition must be washed off and a rich cream applied. Apply 2-3 times a week before bedtime.

2. If the doctor has confirmed the absence of fungus, then a hot bath is made on the heels, after which natural cosmetic oil with the addition of vitamins A or E from capsules is rubbed in.
3. When your heels crack and start to itch, a mask of cottage cheese, liquid honey and sour cream will help. The components are mixed and applied to problem areas, covered with film and thick socks made of natural fabric are put on top. After half an hour, wash off the mixture.
4. You can soften rough, cracked feet using glycerin and apple cider vinegar. To prepare the solution, take the ingredients in a 1:1 ratio, mix, and then lubricate clean feet. The top of the feet is wrapped in cellophane and cotton socks are put on. The procedure lasts 2 hours, after which the mask must be thoroughly washed off.

Masks for softening hand skin

The easiest way is to mix lemon juice with chicken protein. Lightly whisk and apply to damaged skin. Wash off after complete drying.

Mask with honey and yolk

Mix lemon juice, flaxseed oil, chicken yolk and honey. Mix.

Flax seed mask

Pour a tablespoon of seeds into a glass of boiling water. Leave until a gel-like liquid forms.

Soak a wide bandage or gauze in mucus. Wrap your hands. Cover the top with film, then with a towel.

The compounds contained in flaxseed accelerate regeneration, which improves the healing of cracks.

Mask with olive oil and yolk

Mix the yolk with 3-4 tablespoons of warm olive oil. Apply to hands. Cover with film and wrap with a towel.

The heat generated will ensure better penetration of active substances. The yolk contains zinc and vitamin A. Olive oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, C, E.

This set of ingredients has protective properties against adverse weather conditions and prevents water loss from the epidermis.

Skin care mask

Hands, like the face, require regular care: moisturizing, nutrition. It is important not to settle on a standard set of products, such as the usual and inexpensive cream. Enhance rejuvenation and cell regeneration by performing treatments at home. So, the mask can be very effective.

Oil mask

To prepare and apply this product you will need cotton gloves, as well as oils:

• avocado,
• peach,
• jojoba.

The base is peach oil. To it you need to add a dessert spoon of others - jojoba, avocado. Stir everything and heat in a water bath. The composition must be applied to your hands. Don't forget to cleanse your skin beforehand. After which - a line of gloves made of cotton material. You need to leave this composition for half an hour, maybe ten minutes longer. Then the gloves need to be removed and excess oil removed. To do this, use a cotton swab.

Results:

• transformation,
• smoothness,
• reduction of wrinkles and creases.

Butter + cream

To prepare this product you will need:

• oils – avocado and almond,
• high fat cream.

Pour the first 2 components equally into ½ dessert spoon. Dairy product – 2 large spoons. Stir the mixture and heat it, and then apply it liberally to your hands. You need to sit in gloves for half an hour to forty minutes, then wash off.

Anti-wrinkle hand products can and should sometimes be applied at night.

Night procedure

For this recipe use:

• egg yolk,
• peach oil (1 tbsp),
• honey (1 tsp),
• lemon juice (a few drops).

Grind the yolk and peach oil until smooth, add citrus juice and honey. When the composition is ready, you need to apply it to cleansed skin of your hands, put gloves on top and go to bed. In the morning you need to wash everything off. In this way, you can remove dryness if it is caused, for example, by frost (but is not a sign of disease!).

Helps remove deep creases, wrinkles, nourishes and moisturizes, the skin becomes more youthful.

Vitamin cocktail for hands

Sometimes wrinkles on the fingers appear due to vitamin deficiency. In this sense, the vitamin procedure helps:

• capsules A and E (3 drops each),
• egg yolk,
• sea ​​salt (a little)
• moisturizing cosmetic product (1 tbsp).

In order to wash off the composition 25 minutes after application, it is better to use mineral water. After - cream.

You can remove deep wrinkles if you regularly make a mask with glycerin. Other components are corn flour and mineral water.

To prepare, you need to mix 2 large tablespoons of glycerin with one dessert flour. To obtain a creamy consistency, you need to dilute the mixture with a couple of tablespoons of non-carbonated mineral water. It should be applied to steamed hands every day.

Masks for flaky skin

If desired, you can combine it with hand baths to enhance the effect.

With chamomile

Take:

• 3 tablespoons wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons chamomile flowers
• 1 glass of water

Pour boiling water over chamomile. Let stand for 1-1.5 hours. Then strain. Add flour to the resulting infusion and stir. Pour in vegetable oil and stir.

Apply for half an hour. Rinse off with warm water.

Oatmeal-honey mask

Required:

• 3 tablespoons oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon honey

Mix all ingredients. Apply to hands. Keep for an hour. To prevent the mask from drying out quickly, cover it with a plastic bag or film.

Oil-honey mask

Mix:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

Apply to the skin of your hands and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with water and lubricate with nourishing cream.

With honey and yolk

Required:

• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 yolk
• 1 tablespoon honey

Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply to hands. Wear gloves or wrap with film. Wash off after 15-20 minutes.

Potato mask

Boil 2-3 potatoes. Mash by adding milk. Apply warm puree to your hands.

What oils to smear your hands with?

Every girl who has sensitive dry skin has a question: what should I use to smear my hands against cracks? It is no secret that in the context of cosmetology and the treatment of various skin problems, there is nothing better than using natural vegetable oils. These products contain a number of nutritional components, vitamins and microelements that help heal cracks and moisturize the skin.

Flaxseed oil copes effectively with this task; it is enough to apply just a few drops to the skin of your hands and distribute evenly throughout the skin. You can replace this product with castor or burdock oil, which will also have an effective effect on the dermis, starting regeneration processes and nourishing the skin.

How to get rid of dry hands after gardening

Many people are used to working in the garden without gloves. This causes the skin to dry out quickly and become rough.

A 0.25 percent solution of ammonia (1 teaspoon of alcohol per 1 glass of water) will help soften your hands. Or soak in a vinegar solution: 1 teaspoon of 6% vinegar per glass of water.

Then wipe dry, lubricate with nourishing cream or castor oil.

Also effective are baths made from:

• Serums;
• Kefir;
• Water in which potatoes were boiled;
• Starch.

It is useful to do the procedure at night.

Do not forget to apply cosmetic or vegetable oil or cream. If the skin is very flaky or dry, wear cotton gloves after applying oil or cream.

Dry skin from sunburn

Sunburn is a common cause of peeling skin on the hands or fingers. If your hands are not protected from the bright sun, the sun's harmful rays can damage exposed areas. The tanned area will be red and possibly warm to the touch. After a few days it may begin to peel off. Exfoliation with a scrub is painless because the peeling skin is dead. Recovery may take several days or weeks.

During this time, you can help restore the skin by using folk remedies for sunburn, for example, applying aloe juice several times during the day.

Dry skin from frost

Cold and dry weather can also cause peeling of the skin on your hands and fingers. Often factors such as:

• Cold weather;
• Warm dry indoor air;
• Frequent hand washing with warm water and harsh soap

dry out the skin, causing peeling and cracking.

There is also a rare condition called keratolytic winter erythema, which causes peeling of the skin on the palms. Worsens in winter.

The best remedy in such a situation is oatmeal. It is recommended to make baths and masks. In addition to softening, oatmeal gently removes dead epidermal cells without causing irritation.

Causes

The appearance of dry eczema on the hands is not associated with one specific reason. It is caused by a multifactorial effect - a whole complex of certain factors, each of which individually does not lead to the disease. Provoking factors can be exogenous (external origin) and endogenous (internal origin).

The first category includes:

1. Dry air. This factor becomes especially important in the winter - in 85% of cases it is what causes another exacerbation.
2. Exposure of the skin to chemical compounds that are powerful allergens. The connection between the effects of chemical irritants and eczema in workers in hazardous industries is especially clearly noticeable.

Endogenous causes include:

1. Metabolic disorders. In people with endocrinopathies (disorder of the glands of the endocrine system), diseases of the stomach and intestines, the incidence of dry eczema is much higher.
2. Genetic predisposition. Genomic studies have not yet made it possible to identify specific genes responsible for the manifestations of this disease. However, there is a certain familial nature of this disease.
3. Psychogenic disorders. Frequent stress, especially prolonged nervous experience, can provoke the appearance of dry dermatitis on the hands.
4. Infectious and parasitic diseases. The presence of any focus of permanent inflammation in the body leads to constant tension in the body's defenses, which may be accompanied by certain immune failures, manifested by skin rashes.

The frequency of occurrence of dry eczema is not directly proportional to the number of factors - the dependence is rather exponential.

The skin on my hands is very dry, what should I do?

Our hands are eternal workers. We don't always take care of them properly. As a result, the skin on the hands becomes rough, red, and flaky. May crack.

The easiest way to restore its former elasticity and well-groomed appearance is to apply a generous amount of nourishing cream, put on cotton gloves, and leave it on your hands overnight. In most cases, after several treatments the skin softens.

There are many recipes for softening very dry skin in the arsenal of home remedies.

Rice bath

Boil 1-2 tablespoons of rice in a liter of water. Drain the broth. Add 1 teaspoon of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 0.5 teaspoon of ammonia and the juice of 1 cucumber to the warm broth.

Hold your hands for 10-15 minutes. Then wipe dry and apply cream.

Herbal bath

For cracked, reddened skin, baths with infusion are effective:

• Pharmaceutical chamomile;
• Linden color;
• Plantain leaves;
• Herbs succession;
• Rosemary;
• Walnut leaves.

Sauerkraut juice and warm olive oil baths help.

Hold your hands for 15-20 minutes and then apply nourishing cream.

Household chemicals

Our hands come into contact with water every day, as well as with various means for washing dishes, washing and cleaning various types of surfaces. Over time, an allergic reaction may begin to various chemical components. Signs include dry and cracked hands, red pimples, and sometimes fluid-filled blisters. Basic precautions can help protect against such problems. Let's look at them:

1. Every time after washing your hands, dishes or laundry, try to dry them thoroughly.
2. For all types of work related to household chemicals, as well as when washing and peeling vegetables, protective gloves are used. When latex or vinyl ones are not suitable, it is recommended to pre-lubricate the skin with silicone hand cream.
3. In case of inflammation of the cuticle, it is treated with iodine.
4. Hygienic lipstick will help you get rid of the consequences when your fingers dry out and crack. The ends are lubricated with it. It will help the cracks heal faster.
5. It is advisable to get rid of low-quality household products at the slightest sign of irritation and inflammation of the skin on your hands. Some people think that laundry soap is a good substitute. This opinion is wrong. The alkali contained in it corrodes subcutaneous fatty tissue.