Having dry, chapped hands can be embarrassing. Also, doing everyday activities can be painful. Fortunately, it is possible to heal cracked skin with home remedies without asking your doctor for help. While it may take some time, with the right care, your hands will be soft and smooth again. By continuing to protect the skin once it heals, you can prevent the problem from recurring.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash Your Hands
Step 1. Start using a mild, moisturizing soap
Normal soaps contain substances that dry the skin considerably. Using these products, the condition of already chapped hands worsens. Read the labels and purchase a mild-acting liquid soap or one formulated for sensitive skin.
- Soaps tend to dry out the skin more than liquid soap, even when they contain additional moisturizers. If you prefer to use soap, choose one that is oil-based or contains emollient ingredients, such as aloe or oats.
- Beware of antibacterial gels: they contain alcohol and can dehydrate the skin in the long run, making it even more dry and cracked.
Step 2. Wash your hands with warm water
Cold water is not effective enough to remove dirt from your hands. However, boiling water dries the skin, so adjust the temperature to be warm or warm. Test the degree of heat with the inside of your forearm rather than your fingers.
You should also avoid using very hot water when showering or bathing, especially if you tend to have dry skin on other parts of your body as well
Step 3. Limit your shower or bath time to 5-10 minutes
It may seem strange, however when the skin is exposed to water for a long time, it tends to dry out. The water in fact dilutes and eliminates the sebum that keeps it naturally hydrated.
As with your hands, you should choose a gentle shower gel or liquid shower gel, especially if you also have dry skin on your body. Generally, baby products are free from harsh substances and fragrances
Step 4. Dry your skin by gently blotting it after a bath or shower
When you are done washing, pat your skin gently rather than rubbing it with the towel, otherwise it could become inflamed and even more dry and cracked.
Textile towels are softer and more skin-friendly than paper towels. Do not use hand dryers if you have chapped hands as the heat tends to dry out the skin further
Suggestion:
keep a clean handkerchief in your pocket to use for drying your hands in public places, so you don't have to use paper towels or hand dryers.
Method 2 of 3: Moisturize the skin
Step 1. Avoid creams that contain perfumes or other chemicals
Fragrances and other chemical additives dehydrate the skin, making it even drier. Furthermore, perfumes are often based on alcohol which, in turn, dries up the skin. Look for a cream or oil product that is fragrance-free and formulated for dry, sensitive skin.
Certain fragrances and chemicals can cause an allergic reaction which could lead to dry skin. If you've used scented creams so far, it could be one of the reasons you have chapped hands
Step 2. Apply an oil or cream immediately after washing and drying your hands
Make sure your hands are completely dry, then apply a moisturizing cream or oil with a gentle massage. The product will seal the moisture and oils inside the skin which will then stay hydrated and heal faster.
Dab a small amount of the cream on several places on your hands and massage it into your skin rather than rubbing them together. This way you won't risk the skin cracking further
Suggestion:
when the cream has been absorbed, gently massage the back of your hands and fingers applying even pressure to push it to penetrate even deeper. If your skin is still dry at the end of the massage, you can repeat the application.
Step 3. Treat cracked skin overnight
Before going to sleep, wash your hands and apply an antibiotic-based antibacterial ointment where the skin is particularly cracked or damaged. Wait for it to absorb and then apply a rich, nourishing cream. Go to sleep wearing a pair of light cotton gloves to help the products penetrate deeply.
Creams that contain petroleum jelly act as a barrier and trap moisture within the skin, helping it to heal faster than any other product. However, they tend to be oily and greasy, so they are not suitable for use during the day when you have to use your hands to perform daily activities
Suggestion:
if necessary, you can use a pair of cotton socks as if they were gloves. However, be aware that they may slip off your hands while you sleep, so you may stain the sheets with the cream.
Method 3 of 3: Protect the Skin
Step 1. Use rubber gloves when cleaning with aggressive products
Household chores can't be avoided, but if you have chapped hands, they can be particularly painful. When it's time to wash the dishes or clean the bathroom, put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect chapped skin and keep the problem from getting worse.
- Gloves with a lined interior are best for the skin. Simple ones, totally rubber, can cause excessive friction which makes your hands even more dry and chapped.
- Make sure the inside of the gloves are completely dry before putting them on.
Suggestion:
if you intend to reuse the rubber gloves, remove them from your wrists so that your skin does not come into contact with the chemicals contained in the cleaning products. Rinse the outside of the gloves and hang them to dry.
Step 2. Protect severely chapped skin with a spray patch
Liquid or spray patches are useful for protecting injured skin from water and bacteria during the healing phase. You can easily find them in pharmacies or online.
- You can use a spray patch or liquid patch to spread on the skin with an applicator. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly, then wait a couple of minutes to make sure the skin is completely dry. Apply the patch where the skin is most damaged.
- Let the patch dry for a minute, then try pulling on the skin where it is cracked. If it is not firmly blocked by the patch, apply a second layer of product.
- The liquid patch is water resistant and can last up to a week.
Step 3. Wear winter gloves in cold weather
Low temperatures can make skin dry and cracked. Buy a good quality pair of winter gloves and wear them whenever the temperature drops below 2 ° C.
- If possible, wash your hands and apply moisturizer before putting on gloves.
- Wash your gloves at least once a week with a fragrance-free detergent formulated for sensitive skin.
Advice
- If home remedies fail to resolve the problem, consult your doctor or dermatologist. Cracked skin could be a symptom of an undiagnosed condition, such as eczema.
- If dry skin is itchy, apply a cold compress first and then a hydrocortisone ointment to relieve inflammation.
- If your dry skin problem isn't limited to your hands, consider purchasing a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home.
