Dry cracked hands: how to get rid of dry skin on hands?

The skin of our hands is exposed daily to pollutants, weather conditions, cosmetics and detergents. Although we often neglect it, it is a particularly sensitive area, which suffers a lot in our daily life.

Water plays an important role in keeping the skin healthy, soft and glowing. When the skin loses its natural moisture, then our hands can feel very dry, cracked or even sore.

What causes dry cracked hands?

Although most people experience dry hands in the winter, there are several other reasons that can lead to this unpleasant symptom. In summary, we have:

1. Weather conditions (excessive cold or heat)

In winter, the skin’s barrier is more easily damaged due to extreme weather conditions , resulting in chapped hands from the cold. [1] On the contrary, in the summer our hands may feel dry, due to long exposure to the sun. [2]

When this balance is disturbed and the epidermal barrier is destroyed, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. In extreme cases, due to the splitting of the skin, the skin may bleed, causing itching, pain and an increased pulling sensation.

2. Excessive use of antiseptics

People who work as doctors and nurses often face dry hands due to the frequent use of antiseptics. Similar problems are faced by hairdressers, as well as people who work in restaurants and often wash dishes. [1]

3. Inadequate water intake

If your skin is dehydrated, you need to get more water. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the easiest way to give your cells the moisture they need, as is eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

4. Health conditions

People with conditions such as diabetes or lupus that affect blood flow to the extremities may have dry hands.

Some other diseases, for example psoriasis and eczema, can cause not only dry skin on the hands, but also skin that peels and cracks. [1]

5. Aging

The older we get, the more dry we feel our skin. This is (up to a point) normal due to aging, also known as senile dry skin.

6. Allergies/Sensitivity to preservatives

Dryness or irritation may occur due to sensitivity to artificial fragrances and preservatives. [2] In addition, there is the possibility that you have a skin allergy (e.g. to nickel or latex) [3].

7. Washing with excessively hot water

Hot water dries the skin more than cold water. You can even use cold water as long as you lather with the soap when you wash your hands. [4]

8. Soaps that do not respect the pH of the skin

Chemicals often found in soaps can have a drying effect on hands. [1] Many soaps can remove some of the stratum corneum – the outer layer of the skin. For daily hand washing, look for products that say “soap-free”/ “respects the pH of the skin”/ “respects the skin microbiome”.

Why are my hands peeling?

Certain environmental causes such as sunlight, dry air, cold and excessive hand washing can lead to peeling hands.

Additionally, some medical causes of peeling include allergies, hand eczema, psoriasis, or infections.

How important is hand hydration?

Daily hydration is very important for beautiful and healthy hand skin. Hand creams contain substances that bind water molecules to hydrate the skin or create a protective film to protect against external factors.

It is good to apply hand cream after washing. Ideally, we should apply it when our hands are slightly wet and not completely dry. [4] In the morning, we apply the moisturizer to our hands before our sunscreen.

Natural treatment

Here are some easy tips to deal with dry hands:

• Do not use hand sanitizers on irritated hands, especially those that contain alcohol.
• Avoid contact with detergents when doing chores and cleaning. Use gloves to protect yourself. [1]
• Do not wash your hands with very hot water.
• In severe dryness and cracking of hands, apply a sufficient amount of cream to hands, wear gloves and sleep.
• Use a humidifier if needed in your home or business. [1]
• Avoid using automatic hand dryers. [1]
• Drink plenty of water or tea throughout the day. [2]
• Take short and lukewarm or cold showers. [2]

Some effective ingredients you can choose to moisturize your hands are:

• Aloe vera [1]
• Shea butter [1]
• Vitamin E
• Vaseline
• Lanolin
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vegetable oils (almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil)
• Urea
• Glycerin
• Lactic acid

What is the best cream for chapped hands?

We recommend the following options:

1. CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream, with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for sensitive and atopic skin.
2. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream, with glycerin and niacinamide for skin regeneration.
3. Frezyderm Dermofilia Hand Cream, suitable for contact dermatitis and eczema.
4. Apivita Hand Cream Dry-Chapped Hands Hypericum & Beeswax, with balm and beeswax for dry skin.
5. Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream, for very dry and irritated hands.
6. Flexitol Hand Balm, with urea 10%, vitamins B5 & E and Shea butter. Relieves dryness from symptoms of mild dermatitis, eczema & psoriasis.

When should I see the doctor?

You should seek medical advice if you have any of the following symptoms: [1]

• Bleeding or wounds that do not close
• Discoloration
• Swelling
• Drainage from open wounds (eg pus)
• Intense redness on the fingers

You should also talk to your doctor if the condition worsens or home remedies don’t work.

Conclusion

If you feel dryness in your hands, the factors may be many. You should take care of proper hand care, both with protection from external conditions, as well as with proper nutrition and adequate water intake.

We use our hands so much in our daily activities, that’s why we should give them the care they need!

At Vita4you you can find a wide variety of hand creams.