Dry and cracked hands

Your hands are one of the first things that get the attention. This can seem especially true of the skin on your hands and across your knuckles is excessively dry. Redness often cracks and even bleeding are common complaints about some people, and they do not necessarily indicate some dermatologic condition. Whether you are already there, living with the frustration (and pain!) of dry, cracked, hands, or you are on your path toward a point of no return, get help. Let’s look at some easy tips for preventing this problem:

• Heat will dry the skin. When you wash your hands, use lukewarm, or even cool water. Because you wash your hands relatively frequently, this is an important habit.

• Avoid bar soap and inexpensive soap that is offered in public restrooms. Both may strip your skin of essential natural oils. If necessary, carry your travel-sized bottle of moisturizing soap. Look for ingredients like lanolin or glycerin.

• Pat hands dry after washing; but don’t rub! Then, while your hands are still damp, apply moisturizer (with the moisturizing ingredients mentioned above).

Need Healing?

If your hands are already dry and cracked, sore and red, you need more than a few healthy new hand-washing habits. Try these action-steps:

• Apply an emollient lotion before bed, something with glycerin or dimethicone. Think thick, oily cream, not light lotion.

• In a pinch, or just as a personal preference, you may also rub your hands down with good old-fashioned olive oil before bed. Obviously, the only downside to this is that your hands may feel Depending on the severity of dryness, you may apply your cream or oil and then don a pair of cotton gloves to lock in moisture.

Gloves may become your new best friend if your hands are excessively dry. Not just when you sleep, but also anytime you are outside, anytime you wash the dishes, and anytime you clean your home. Skin that is covered is skin that is protected from the elements.

Do you need help?

Sometimes, medical care becomes necessary to resolve the issue of severely dry skin. If you have used creams and gloves and other over-the-counter remedies for dryness, it’s time for more. Contact an experienced dermatologist for required steps and only a dermatologist can help you to regain comfort as soon as possible.