Dry skin on the bends of the fingers (English)

Today, the skin of the hands is often negatively affected, because improper care, household chemicals and even cold air can negatively affect the epidermis in this area. This article will tell you what causes dry hands and how to treat it.

Causes

Most often, dry skin on the fingers develops for the following reasons:

Aggressive influence of household chemical liquids. With regular open contact of fingers (without the use of protective gloves) with soap, powders, dish detergents, etc. the skin quickly dries out and loses elasticity. This in turn leads to the appearance of cracks in areas of greatest skin tension.

Hand washing with low-quality soap and washing a bathtub or toilet with chlorine-containing products is considered even more dangerous. This is real torture for the delicate and sensitive skin of your fingers.

Moreover, some people can easily develop a severe allergic reaction to such events, not to mention serious harm to the health of the entire body.

Incorrect hand skin care measures. At the same time, insufficiently moisturized skin can lead to drying out of the epidermis, which, when exposed to a cold wind or contact with cold water, can dry out and become covered with cracks.
Using certain cosmetics that are not suitable for a person and cause dry skin. In this case, a pathological lack of moisture is regarded as a form of an allergic reaction.
Contact dermatitis can develop after hand contact with acids, glue, varnish, paint and other chemical allergens. There are two forms of this disease: acute and chronic. The acute form occurs and develops quickly, while the chronic form lasts a long time, with frequent exacerbations.
Fungal infections of the skin of the fingers. These diseases occur due to a sharp decrease in immunity (when taking antibiotics). In this condition, not only the skin of the fingers will be affected, but also the folds between the fingers themselves. In addition to severe dryness, fungal infection can cause itching, white plaque, thickening of the skin and redness.
Eczema is considered a dangerous disease that can affect the skin on the fingers, especially the fingertips.
Diabetes mellitus can seriously impair blood circulation in the body, including the nutrition of the hands, which leads to dry skin.
Sudden temperature changes negatively affect the condition of the skin of the hands, especially exposure to cold and dry climates.
Frequent contact with water. Despite the fact that it would seem that water will moisturize the skin, in fact, everything is exactly the opposite - water will dry out the epidermis and wash away its protective fat layer.
Using skin care cosmetics that have already expired. Also, simply low-quality products can cause dryness.

Additional factors affecting dry hand skin are:

Weakened immunity.
Vitamin deficiency resulting from poor nutrition. This is especially common in spring and autumn.
Congenital dry hands and genetic susceptibility to this condition.
Psoriasis.
In addition to the main symptoms, Reiter's syndrome can also cause dry skin on the hands.
Ichthyosis is a hereditary disease that can increase keratinization of the skin. In this case, the epidermis cracks and resembles fish scales. It develops due to hormonal imbalance.

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Features of the appearance of dry skin on the fingers in some cases

In some cases, dry skin on the fingers may be accompanied by individual symptoms or additional features. Let's look at them in more detail.

Around the nails

The occurrence of dryness and flaking of the skin around the nails is due to frequent contact with household chemicals and ordinary water, which is the cause of the development of irritation.

Additional possible causes of dry skin in this area may include:

hormonal disbalance,
diabetes,
thyroid dysfunction and psoriasis.

A dermatologist will help establish a diagnosis after examining and passing a series of tests on the patient.

On pads

Dry skin on the fingertips can cause a common deficiency of vitamins in the body and an acute lack of nutrients.

In this condition, in addition to dryness, peeling, redness of the skin and increased sensitivity may also occur. In more advanced conditions, pain and bleeding may occur.

Cracks

Cracks in the fingers can occur both due to the influence of external factors and due to internal failures.

The skin can become cracked due to prolonged treatment with antibiotics or taking hormonal drugs.

This skin condition also occurs with prolonged contact with water, exposure to acids or exposure to cold.

Cracks in the skin must be treated, because infection can easily get through them.

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Sores appear

The appearance of wounds on the skin almost always indicates an allergic reaction or serious illness. In any case, with such manifestations you need to contact a dermatologist and carry out a diagnosis.

Skin sores can be a sign of:

eczema,
fungal infection,
or other equally serious diseases.

They can also lead to human blood poisoning.

Itching on the skin is caused by an allergic reaction to household chemicals or creams. In addition to itching, a person may also suffer from burning and redness of the skin.

Treatment options

You can treat dry skin on your fingers in the following ways:

Let's look at them in more detail.

Ointment

The best ointments for dryness are:

Before using ointments, you should consult your doctor. Otherwise, you can only make the situation worse.

It is not advisable to use these ointments during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Cream

Creams can be used when the cause of dry hands is not illness, but external factors (the influence of cold, etc.). Such creams will help moisturize the skin and eliminate pain.

The following creams are usually prescribed for this purpose:

Creams must be used carefully, as sometimes they can also cause allergies.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers the following remedies to get rid of dry skin on the fingers:

Honey mask. To prepare it, you need to mix a spoonful of honey and the same amount of glycerin. Apply it to your hands and leave for fifteen minutes, then rinse with water.
Fat sour cream and potato juice help a lot. These components must be rubbed separately into the skin.
For very dry skin, you can use essential oils - almond, peach, tea tree oil. They will not only eliminate dryness, but also enrich the skin with vitamins.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of dry fingers, you should follow these tips:

Regularly moisturize the skin of your hands with special creams and lotions. They must contain lactic acid or oils. It is advisable to do this moisturizing with different means in the morning and evening. You can also additionally practice finger baths with the addition of essential oils.
Do not use cosmetics whose quality you doubt. In general, it is recommended to purchase hand creams and other products in pharmacies or specialized stores.

Do not use the cream if, after application, it at least once caused dryness, redness or itching.

Avoid following too restrictive diets, as poor nutrition negatively affects not only the skin, but also the functioning of the body.

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Keeping your skin hydrated is not an easy task, but it is doable if you follow all the recommendations of your cosmetologist. You should also be attentive to your health and promptly treat concomitant diseases that may affect the condition of the skin of your hands.

You can easily find restorative hand cream in any supermarket or pharmacy, this product is so popular. In particular, it will be useful for those whose problem is dry skin on their fingers.

Causes of dry skin on fingers
Signs of dry hand skin
Necessary care
Methods for preventing dryness
Tools Overview

Causes of dry skin on fingers

It’s not for nothing that they say that your hands tell you your age first. This is the absolute truth. In addition, the skin of the hands is less resistant to aggressive environmental factors - cold, cold, wind and temperature changes, so the winter season begins with the purchase of gloves and a good protective cream.

So, why can the skin on your hands become dry?

The skin on your hands has a thinner lipid barrier © iStock

On the skin of the hands, the lipid barrier is much thinner than, for example, on the skin of the back or forearm, so it is more susceptible to aging processes.

The skin of the hands is the most vulnerable. If she is not protected by gloves in cold weather, she will easily become chapped. One walk without covering - and dryness, redness and peeling occur.

Contact with household chemicals

Household chemicals: hand washing powders, dishwashing gels and bath cleaners dry out the skin of your hands, often causing irritation and redness.

Severe dry skin and persistent irritation may be signs of atopic dermatitis. But only a doctor can make a diagnosis, so we recommend that you refrain from self-medication and consult a specialist if the condition of the skin on your hands causes serious concern.

Caring for dry hand skin is not limited to applying cream © iStock

Signs of dry hand skin

The following symptoms indicate dry hand skin:

sometimes - burning and pain.

Three key signs of dry skin on your fingers:

dryness around the nails and rough, sloppy cuticles;

redness in areas that are most likely to come into contact with external irritants (for example, on the knuckles or fingertips), which may be accompanied by pain;

peeling that does not go away for a long time.

Necessary care

When things are really bad, hand skin care should not end with applying cream. We'll tell you what else you can do to make your hands thank you.

Pay attention to what you wash your hands with. If your skin is prone to dryness, it makes sense to replace classic bar or gel soap with cleanser labeled "soap-free".

Hand scrub - not the most popular product, but it definitely won’t hurt to get one. Exfoliation with abrasive particles stimulates cell renewal and removes dead epidermal scales, making the skin not only softer, but also better absorbs beneficial substances from the cream.

Hand cream - a product that must be on your bedside table (you can throw the second one in your bag, and the third one in your office desk drawer). You already know why it is needed, so we’ll tell you what will happen if you ignore it: the skin on your hands will age twenty years ahead of time.

Use as a restorative agent hand masks. These can be either special products or any rich hand cream. The latter should be applied in a thick layer, after which it is recommended to wear cotton gloves.

Methods for preventing dryness

Preventive measures will help avoid many problems.

Wash dishes with gloves: detergents contain high concentrations of surfactants. They will not harm plates and cups, but yes, the delicate skin of your hands.

Also perform cleaning with gloves, even if the instructions for the detergent do not indicate that skin protection is required. Cleaning products often contain lye or other harsh chemicals that can damage the delicate skin of your hands.

In the cold season, make it a rule to wear gloves or mittens; they will protect your hands from the harmful effects of wind and frost.

Tools Overview

The main component of the formula is allantoin, known for its healing properties. The cream intensively nourishes and softens even very dry hand skin, promotes the healing of microcracks and damage.

Allantoin and thermal water from La Roche-Posay mineral springs included in the composition are responsible for the regeneration of the hydrolipidic mantle, promote the healing of damage to the epidermis and restore tenderness to the skin of the hands. The cream is quickly absorbed and has a neutral smell.

Soothing multi-regenerating balm Cicaplast Baume, La Roche-Posay

Shea butter, panthenol, a complex of copper, manganese and zinc improve the skin restoration process. The product also relieves redness and irritation and instantly gives a feeling of comfort.

Care for dry and rough skin Intensive Treatment And Moisturizer, Kiehl’s

Rich in fatty acids, avocado, wheat and shea butters soften rough areas of the hands in just one night. The product will help even if your hands are chapped or in contact with aggressive chemicals (for example, solvent or detergent).

The use of household chemicals, improper care, the external environment - all these nuances lead to changes in the condition of the skin. Irritation resembling an allergy may appear on the hands, dryness, peeling, and cracking may occur. These factors are not health deviations. Cracks in the fingers are considered a serious cause for concern, the causes and treatment of which are not related to weather conditions, household responsibilities or age-related changes. Wounds with blood should be a mandatory reason to see a doctor.

Causes of dry skin and cracked fingers

Peeling and dryness cause discomfort. Combined with itching and bleeding wounds, these signs turn into constant pain. The reasons for such manifestations can be various factors. Floor cleaners, dishes and other household chemicals have a negative effect on your hands. It is not difficult to get rid of their influence. If the causes of changes in the skin are diseases, then treatment is aimed not only at eliminating discomfort, but also at eliminating the disease.

Diseases that can cause itching, cracking, peeling and dry hands:

fungus (the main cause of the disease is considered to be weakened immunity);
contact dermatitis (the disease is caused by the use of household chemicals, contact with aggressive substances or allergens);
eczema (a serious disease accompanied by bleeding wounds, cracks, dry hands);
psoriasis (a distinctive symptom is the appearance of droplets of blood;
vitamin deficiency (the cause of dry and cracked hands is a lack of vitamins);
allergies (individual reaction to certain factors).

The question of why the skin on the fingers cracks requires a comprehensive examination by a dermatologist. Getting rid of some diseases is difficult. Such symptoms may be a manifestation of diabetes mellitus, diseases of internal organs, or dysfunction of individual body systems. When identifying the cause of dryness and peeling, you need to pay attention to the location of the lesion - pads, palms, area of the periungual plates, interdigital areas.

The skin on the fingers near the nails is cracking

Frequent contact not only with household chemicals, but also with ordinary water, can cause irritation. The skin in the area of the nail plates begins to peel, crack, and peel off. If factors such as water and chemistry are not present, then internal diseases are the cause of discomfort. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis, but the most common of them are considered to be fungus on the fingers, hormonal imbalance, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes or abnormalities in the thyroid gland.

Dry skin on the bends of the fingers (English)

Dry skin on the bends of the fingers