Cracks in the fingers
Many people have faced the problem of cracked fingers. And this is not only visually unpleasant, but also quite painful. Read my article today to learn how to cure and prevent cracked fingers.
Cracked skin on your hands is not only uncomfortable, but also aesthetically unappealing. On top of that, chronic cracked fingers are a health risk, opening the way for bacteria, viruses, or fungi to enter your body.
Why do cracked fingers appear ?
By themselves, peeling and cracking of the skin of the hands is not a big problem. However, if you do not take action, you can provoke more negative consequences. If the skin on the hands peels off and cracks, a number of factors can lead to this:
- Dry skin, especially in winter
- Washing hands too often
- The influence of household chemicals
- Abrupt climate change
- Thumb sucking
And one of my clients cracked the skin on her fingers, because she was very fond of eating salted seeds. :)
Peeling and cracking of the skin can also be caused by one of the diseases, such as:
- Allergies: If your skin comes into contact with an allergen, it may start to flake.
- Niacin (or vitamin B3) deficiency.
- Too much vitamin A: Consuming too much vitamin A can also lead to cracked and flaky skin.
- Hand eczema: Genetics as well as exposure to certain chemicals can cause hand eczema.
- Psoriasis: A skin condition that can appear as silver plaques or lesions on the skin.
- Kawasaki disease: A rare disease that usually affects children under 5 years of age.
We learned with you the reasons for the appearance of cracks on the fingers , and now it's time to find out how to get rid of them!
Ways to treat cracked fingers
Home remedies for cracked fingers
Petrolatum. Take some Vaseline and gently apply it to your fingers. You can do this several times a day, each time you feel your hands begin to dry out. In addition to instantly moisturizing dry and chapped fingers, petroleum jelly forms a layer on the skin and protects it from moisture and further infection.
Paraffin. Take a block of paraffin and heat it up. It is not necessary to completely melt the wax, since then you will need to wait until it cools to the optimum temperature. Wash your hands with mild soap and moisturize them. Then dip your hands into the wax and leave for a few seconds. Take your hands out and repeat this process 3-4 times. If everything worked out, then you will see a kind of paraffin gloves on your hands. Let them dry for 10-15 minutes. Then remove any remaining wax from your hands. You can do this procedure once a week or two.
Paraffin wax has emollient properties that keep your hands soft and supple. It also locks in moisture and helps get rid of dead skin cells.
Coconut oil. Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage alternately into the skin on both hands. The fatty acids in coconut oil have excellent emollient and moisturizing properties that help soothe dry and chapped skin around the fingers. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil protect the skin from infections. Therefore, coconut oil in the fight against cracked fingers is very effective.
Tea tree oil. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to coconut oil and mix well. Apply the mixture to your fingertips and leave overnight. Wash your hands thoroughly the next morning. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic with excellent antimicrobial properties. Therefore, it can speed up the process of healing cracked skin and protect it from infections.
It is important to mix tea tree oil with another natural oil, and not apply it yourself, because instead of treating it, this can cause skin irritation.
Castor oil. Take some castor oil and gently massage it into the affected area. Wash off after 15-20 minutes. You can also leave the oil on overnight.
Castor oil is a rich source of ricin oleic acid and vitamin E. These nutrients give it amazing emollient and healing properties that can help heal your skin. The oil will also help keep the skin soft and hydrated for a long time.
Diaper cream. Baby diaper cream, which is used to prevent rashes, can also be used to treat dry and chapped skin on the fingers. Most of these creams contain zinc, which not only helps to heal cracked skin, but also softens it, and also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Linseed oil. Take a few drops of flaxseed oil and apply it on the affected areas. You can also take flaxseed oil internally after consulting your doctor. It contains fatty acids that heal dry skin and keep it soft. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseed oil can help reduce inflammation and redness on the hands.
Hygienic lipstick without fragrance. Apply a thick layer of lip balm to chapped fingertips. Most lip balms contain emollient and moisturizing ingredients such as beeswax, camphor, and vitamin E. These ingredients have excellent healing and softening properties, and hence, it is one of the best options for healing cracked fingers .
How to prevent cracked fingers
- Wear gloves during the cold season
- Always keep your hands moisturized
- Drink plenty of water
- Use warm (not hot) water to wash your hands
- Choose a mild moisturizing soap
- Avoid using hand sanitizers frequently as they tend to dry out the skin.
- Use a humidifier for your home.
Small cracked fingers can be easily healed with the above tips. However, if your cracked fingers are causing you great discomfort, severe pain, or bleeding, you should see a doctor immediately, as it could be due to something more serious.
I hope my information was useful to you, and you will no longer need to hide your well-groomed hands! :) Be healthy and beautiful!