Cracked Skin Treatment

Cracked Skin on fingers

Nobody knows exactly why some people are affected by these rashes and others with the same exposure aren’t. Those with atopic dermatitis often have non-skin allergies (like hay fever and asthma) but their rashes aren’t caused by skin allergies. On the other hand, those with contact dermatitis do have true skin allergies, but usually not other allergic problems like someone with atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis occurs at all ages, whereas atopic dermatitis is most often a problem in kids. Hand dermatitis is caused by skin irritants such as detergents or chemicals. Dry (chapped) skin occurs because of lack of water in the stratum corneum (see diagram). If your skin surface doesn’t have enough oil, there’s more evaporation of water which contributes to the dryness.

Scratching can actually trigger eczematous rashes. Initial mild itching makes you want to scratch, of course. But scratching damages the skin, worsens inflammation, irritates surface nerves, and leads to even more intense itching than you had before. This cycle aggravates and prolongs all of these rashes. In fact some eczematous rashes completely disappear without any treatment if you just stop scratching.

As you can tell, these rashes differ in many ways. So why do we lump them together? Because the underlying chronic inflammation makes them all look, feel and respond to treatment in the same ways.

Cracked Fingertips Treatment

For an effective treatment of dry and cracked fingertips, it is essential to keep your skin well-hydrated and moisturized. You can use petroleum jelly or vitamin E oil to keep the skin of your hand, especially around the fingers soft and moisturized. Vitamin E is an excellent cracked fingertips remedy. With regular application, the dry and cracked areas will soften and heal quickly. Along with petroleum jelly and vitamin E oil, you can use calamine lotion as well. It would help to sooth the skin. At the same time, reduce the exposure to harsh chemicals or soaps and detergents.

Make sure that you moisturize your hands every time after washing and also before going to bed. For cleaning your hands, use only a mild soap and slightly warm water. In the night, keep your hand covered in hand gloves, after properly moisturizing them. The skin care products that contain salicylic acid can help immensely to exfoliate the dry and thick skin around the fingertips. Even skin care products with alpha hydroxy acids can work well for dry fingertips. Otherwise, you can use almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, flax oil and jojoba oil, which are also some of the effective cracked fingertips cures.

However, if cracked fingertips are caused by fungal infection, then it would require application of anti-fungal creams and ointments. You should better talk to your physician to find out an effective anti-fungal cream. Application of tea tree oil, which has anti-fungal properties can help to prevent the spread of fungal infection to other areas. Dry and scaly fingertips caused by eczema, on the other hand, can be treated with topical steroid creams. Again, it is better to have a talk with your physician and find out whether cracked fingertips are actually caused by eczema or some any other condition. Once, eczema is confirmed, your health care provider would suggest the appropriate medications.

Once, your cracked fingertips have healed completely, it is time to follow some preventive measures to avoid future recurrences. So, protect your hands from irritants, harsh chemicals, detergents and soaps by wearing a pair of hand gloves, while washing dishes, cleaning any household item or working in the garden. Limit the use of soaps, and moisturize your hand after washing it, especially during the winter days. However, if your fingertips are constantly dry and cracked, and have not healed even after taking all possible care and precautions, then consider a visit to your health care provider. Such a condition needs to be properly evaluated to rule out the possibility of dermatitis, eczema and fungal infection.