Dry hands, what is the reason?

We only think about hand cream in winter, when the skin cracks and peels from frost and wind. But it’s better not to take it to extremes and always keep a tube of cream with you - especially if the skin on your hands is dry. By the way, now we’ll tell you why she becomes like this and what to do about it.

Content

1. Dry skin: main signs
2. Causes of dryness
3. Proper care for dry hand skin
4. Seasonal care
5. Hand baths
6. Diet rules for dry skin
7. Preventive measures
8. Review of care products

Dry skin: main signs

Dry skin can be caused by both genetic predisposition and external factors - the use of poorly selected cosmetic products or harsh weather conditions.

Dry skin does not retain moisture well because its natural protective layer, the hydrolipid mantle, is damaged. Particularly often, areas with thin skin suffer from this problem: eyelids, arms, neck, décolleté.

Causes of dryness

Frequent hand washing with aggressive cleansers and the use of bactericidal gels (especially important for doctors and nurses).

Using household chemicals without gloves.

Using a scrub too often and, as a result, compromising the integrity of the protective barrier of the epidermis.

Working with chemicals, solvents and other aggressive substances.

Extreme weather conditions: heat or, conversely, severe frost and icy wind.

Low indoor air humidity is a common winter problem, since when the central heating is turned on, the air tends to be dry.

To prevent your hands from becoming dry, wear gloves when cleaning and washing dishes. © iStock

Proper care for dry hand skin

Note, what do you wash your hands with and how often? you do it. If dryness and cracks on the skin of your hands are your constant problem or your job requires you to wash your hands many times a day, change the classic bar or liquid soap to a more gentle cream cleanser.

Important limit contact of the skin of your hands with household chemicals, for example, when washing dishes: use gloves or replace products with moisturizers and hypoallergenic ones.

Hand scrub is not very popular, but it doesn’t hurt to get one. Regular (a couple of times a week) exfoliation removes dead particles of the epidermis and causes cells to renew faster. The skin not only becomes softer and more tender, but also better accepts the beneficial substances that are included in subsequent care products.

Hand cream should be on every woman's bedside table (you can throw the second one in your bag, and the third one in your office desk drawer). Without it, the skin on your hands will become wrinkled ahead of time.

As an emergency treatment for quick recovery, use hand mask: This can be either a special product or any fatty cream applied in a thick layer. Wear cotton gloves on top.

Use hand cream several times a day. © iStock

Many people are familiar with the problem of dry hand skin. What to do in this case? Peeling, wrinkling and “parchment” condition of the skin are not only a phenomenon that causes discomfort, but also a signal that you should immediately begin taking care of your hands. First of all, it is worth identifying the reasons for this unaesthetic and discomforting manifestation. Dry hand skin, cracks and other unpleasant symptoms appear for a reason. Let's figure out what circumstances provoke this unpleasant picture?

Dry hand skin: causes

Vitamin deficiency, insufficient care, dry air and other stress factors negatively affect the condition of our skin. As for the hands, as a rule, all these negative influences are reflected first.

Hand washing with very hot water and aggressive sulfate products has a negative effect. Dry skin may bother you after using the wrong shower gel or liquid soap.

It is advisable to treat your hands with moisturizing and nourishing cream every time after contact with water. As for the choice of cream, it does not have to be expensive: there are very affordable products that cope well with their function. You can only understand whether a cream is right for you or not by trying it.

Diseases that cause dry skin

Unfortunately, dry hand skin can be caused by certain diseases. Creams and masks in this case will be ineffective. If you have very dry skin on your hands, you should consult your doctor. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Allergic reaction. This manifestation can be caused by anything - from wearing rings made of the wrong alloy for you to food. A dermatologist will identify the problem, and tests can accurately determine what exactly causes such a reaction.
2. Fungal disease. Unfortunately, dry hand skin, cracks and discomfort can be caused by a fungus. This option is especially likely if a person's feet are affected by this disease.
3. Iron-deficiency anemia. This disease negatively affects the condition of the body as a whole, including the skin of the hands.
4. Increased blood sugar. It's no secret that people with diabetes suffer from dry skin.
5. Gastrointestinal diseases. If the body does not have the ability to fully absorb microelements from food, of course, a lack of vitamins will arise, and the poor condition of the epidermis will not take long to occur.

Myths about dry skin

1. A good cream is enough to cope with this problem.

In fact, any skin problem should be approached comprehensively. To completely get rid of dry skin and, as a result, prevent its aging, you should definitely pay attention to your diet, as well as use various procedures to deeply moisturize problem areas.

2. Moisturizing and nourishing hand creams are needed only for dry skin.

It is not true. In fact, all skin needs hydration. And the better the care is chosen, the more comfortable the sensations will be, the longer your hands will look young.

3. Dryness is caused only by a lack of water in the skin.

Actually this is not true. In addition to moisture, the skin needs sufficient fat secretion.

4. Dryness is a genetic predisposition.

Not at all necessary. This unpleasant phenomenon may well be caused by regular improper or insufficient care and a lack of vitamins and microelements.

Where to begin?

First of all, to relieve discomfort, you should use hand cream as soon as possible. After each contact with water and before each exit outside, this manipulation should be performed. If the situation is very advanced and you have very dry skin on your hands, then remember: the richer and more nutritious the cream, the better.

Please note that when combining the oral intake of several vitamins, you should consult a doctor so as not to accumulate an excess of them in the body.

Natural masks for dry hand skin

At home, you can deal with dry hand skin using some products. For example, vegetable sunflower oil helps a lot. It should be slightly warmed up to a comfortable temperature. Then your hands should be soaked in the oil for about 20 minutes, after which the remaining oil from the skin should be wiped off with a napkin.

Baths with olive oil will significantly improve the condition of your skin. To do this, you need to pour a tablespoon of oil into a small amount of warm boiled water and hold your hands in this mixture for half an hour.

Compresses made from mashed potatoes and baths of broth perfectly soften the skin.

If you prefer natural remedies when caring for yourself, you will certainly like the oatmeal mask for dry hands. Oatmeal is one of the few foods that contain hyaluronic acid. Any oil is added to the porridge, after which this mixture is applied to the hands.

Adding oil vitamins, honey and other additives will enhance the effect and healing effects of the product on the skin. Applying homemade mayonnaise prepared with any vegetable oil and eggs also helps greatly.

Natural animal fats, such as bear or badger, are very rich in vitamins. After all, these animals hibernate, and their body stores in reserve a balanced and powerful complex of all the microelements necessary for life.

If you have very dry hand skin, it makes sense to increase the duration of any procedure to one hour.

Paraffin therapy - deep skin hydration

Many people know how much discomfort dry skin on the hands can cause. What to do in this case, you ask? A procedure loved by many - paraffin therapy - copes well with dryness. Contrary to the belief that this is a purely salon procedure, it is quite possible to carry it out at home yourself. To do this, you will definitely need special cosmetic paraffin, a couple of plastic bags, two towels and an unnecessary container or other container. Other devices, like a special bath and mittens, of course, make the procedure easier and more enjoyable, but you can easily do without them.

So, the entire pack of paraffin is melted in an unnecessary container in a water bath. While the piece in our container turns into a homogeneous liquid mass, thoroughly scrub the skin of your hands with a scrub for several minutes. This way you will get rid of dead skin particles and allow the nutrients to work harder during the procedure.

When the mixture is completely melted, grease your hands with your favorite cream, then dip them in paraffin. Of course, before immersing your hands entirely, try to see if the temperature of the composition is comfortable to avoid burns. Keep your hands in the paraffin for 10 seconds, then take them out, let the resulting film “set” for a few seconds, then lower them into the composition again. Such dives can be done up to 7 times. Before the last time, bring your fingers together tightly, as a result you should get a very dense layer of paraffin. Then you need to put the bags on your hands and wrap them in towels for 20–30 minutes. During this time, the skin receives deep hydration and nutrition. Blood circulation and metabolic processes are accelerated, the applied cream is intensively absorbed. The sweat released in such “greenhouse” conditions is absorbed back, while all impurities and toxins remain on the paraffin. In addition to the fact that dry skin on your hands will no longer bother you, this procedure allows you to perfectly care for your cuticles, strengthen your nails and accelerate their growth.

At the end, the paraffin films are removed from the hands and thrown away, and the remaining composition remains in the container until the next time.

Treatment with pharmaceuticals

In advanced cases, dry skin on the hands cracks and bleeding wounds appear. In this case, it is necessary to take special care of hand hygiene, disinfect these areas with chlorhexidine or miramistin, and smear the wounds with healing ointment. These can be panthenol-containing drugs, Solcoseryl or any other non-hormonal drug.

Extra care

Dry skin on your fingers and palms may be caused by not using protective gloves when working around the house. Make it a rule: they should be worn not only when using obvious aggressive chemicals (for example, when washing a toilet, oven, bathtub). For any everyday work around the house that involves contact with cleaning agents and detergents, it is advisable to wear such gloves.

Always dry your hands and do not let them dry on their own. And before going out in the sun, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to this dry and aging area.

Be sure to exfoliate your hands with a scrub 2-3 times a week. You shouldn't do this more often, but moderate exfoliation never harms the skin. After this manipulation, always apply a nourishing cream.

What to do if you are allergic to hand cream?

Unfortunately, this happens quite often. If you always have an allergy to hand creams, try taking a nourishing protective baby cream. Such products for babies are quite inexpensive, but they do their job remarkably well and practically do not cause allergic reactions.

A little trick

In addition to paraffin therapy, you can also do less energy-consuming procedures at home. Simply wrap your hands with your favorite cream in plastic bags for a period of 20 minutes to one hour.

And remember, the more hydrated the skin of your hands is, the younger, fresher and healthier it will look. By taking care of yourself, paying attention to every detail, right down to the tips of your nails, you will look much younger than your age.

Despite the mass of hand skin care products, the problem of dryness haunts almost every woman, regardless of age. This problem is accompanied by a lot of troubles: irritation, peeling, cracks, wounds, unattractive appearance. To eliminate dry hand skin, it is important to identify and get rid of the causes that cause it.

Dry hand skin can be caused by many reasons, including:

1. Negative influence of environmental factors: windy and cold weather makes the skin rough, it thickens, resulting in redness and cracks, and the sun contributes to its dehydration and accelerates the aging process. Dramatic fluctuations in air temperature can cause dry patches on the skin for some.
2. Effect of detergents: daily contact with household chemicals gradually destroys the epidermis layer, depriving it of its natural protection. As a result, allergic reactions, cracks, various dermatitis, irritation and excessive dryness of the skin may occur.
3. Lack of vitamins or vitamin deficiency, which usually occurs in spring and autumn, is also the cause of dry skin.
4. Insufficient hand care or lack thereof also affects the condition of the skin. Lack of nutrition and hydration is the source of many problems.
5. Dryness can also be a congenital phenomenon. In this case, intensive and regular care will help.

Care tips.
The skin of your hands contains much less moisture than, say, the skin of your face. In addition, it has virtually no sebaceous glands, which makes it vulnerable and prone to dryness. That is why it requires regular and careful care.

One important rule to follow when caring for your hands is to keep your hands perfectly clean. Every time, especially after visiting the toilet, you should wash your hands with warm water using mild soap, moisturizing lotion or special gel, since they, unlike regular soap, do not dry the skin. After washing, hands should be thoroughly dried with a towel, including the areas between the fingers. Carelessly, hastily wiped hands leave moisture on the surface, which, when evaporated, leads to dry skin.

For daily hand skin care, use creams and lotions that contain a large number of moisturizing ingredients, in particular glycerin, lactic acid or sorbitol. When caring for your hands, you can use a regular moisturizer up to the age of thirty, and after that the cream must contain sunscreen filters that prevent the formation of age spots.

According to the recommendations of most cosmetologists, it is necessary to lubricate your hands with cream after each wash. It is better if the cream contains plant extracts. In addition, you should protect the skin of your hands from bad weather by applying a protective nourishing cream before going outside, especially in winter or spring.

When performing daily cleaning or any work involving prolonged contact with water or household chemicals, it is important to protect your hands with vinyl or rubber gloves. By the way, before putting on gloves, it is recommended to apply a nourishing caring cream to your hands.

If, while painting any surface yourself, you get your hands dirty with paint, do not under any circumstances use gasoline, kerosene or acetone to clean the skin. Such solvents are excellent at removing impurities, but they dry out the skin very much. Therefore, if necessary, it is better to use special detergents for stubborn stains.

Do not neglect mittens and gloves during cold periods.

In the summer, also do not forget about protecting the skin of your hands. The negative influence of ultraviolet radiation causes various damage to the skin, makes it even drier and contributes to the appearance of cracks. Therefore, every time before going outside, you should use hand sunscreens containing at least fifteen SPF.

During cold periods, you should warm your hands. In addition, during the spring and autumn periods, you should consume as many vitamins as possible (fresh vegetables, fruits, etc.).

Folk remedies.

Masks and compresses for dry skin of hands.
Any vegetable oil (olive, flaxseed, sunflower) effectively softens the skin of the hands, restoring its elasticity. The oil is slightly heated in a water bath, several layers of gauze are soaked in it, which are then applied to the hands, wax paper is fixed on top and cotton gloves are put on. If the skin has minor lesions, one procedure will be enough. For fairly serious hand problems (cracks, peeling, wounds), this wrap should be performed at least twice a week until the skin condition improves significantly. Warm oil can simply be rubbed into the skin of your hands for fifteen to thirty minutes until it is completely absorbed.

Dry hand skin will also be helped by an effective homemade cream, which can be prepared from pork and lamb lard, taken in equal proportions and melted in a water bath. Pour the mixture into a jar and store in the refrigerator. Rub this cream into the skin of your hands every day at night.

Olive oil-based masks are also considered the most effective remedy against dry skin. To prepare it, combine a tablespoon of slightly warmed olive oil with a teaspoon of moisturizing hand cream and add half a teaspoon of lemon juice. The mass should be thoroughly beaten. Apply the resulting composition in a thick layer to the skin of your hands and put on cotton gloves. Leave the mask on all night. It is advisable to carry out this procedure once a week.

A mixture prepared from five drops of ammonia, two tablespoons of glycerin and three tablespoons of water will perfectly soften the skin. Rub the mixture into damp skin of your hands, and then wipe them dry with a towel.

A mixture of a tablespoon of glycerin and half a glass of water with the addition of the juice of half a lemon will help soften and moisturize dry skin of your hands. Rub the resulting composition into clean skin of your hands.

This mixture perfectly eliminates dry hand skin and cracks: grind 100g of fresh hernia herb and pour in half a liter of olive oil, then leave the mixture for a week. After this, apply the resulting composition to rough areas of the skin, including hands, knees and elbows.

A mask of whipped chicken protein with the addition of the juice of one lemon will help get rid of roughness and roughness on your hands. Apply the composition for twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water and lubricate the skin with nourishing cream.

This ointment softens the skin of your hands well: lightly heat flaxseed oil in a water bath, combine with honey, add yolk and lemon juice. All ingredients are taken by eye.

A mask made from coltsfoot leaves will soothe dry and chapped skin. To prepare it, you need to grind the fresh leaves of this plant. Take two tablespoons of the resulting herbal gruel and combine with a glass of fresh milk. Leave the mask on for twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water and lubricate your hands with nourishing cream.

Boil a couple of potatoes in their skins, mash with milk and butter until pureed. Apply the mixture warm to the skin of your hands, leave for fifteen to thirty minutes, then rinse with warm water. Also lubricate the skin of your hands with nourishing cream.

Cook oatmeal, add vegetable oil and cool until warm. Place your hands in the resulting porridge for twenty minutes; it is advisable to carry out this procedure at night.

A sour cream compress will be an ambulance for your dry hands: combine a glass of medium-thick sour cream with chicken yolk and add the juice of one lemon. Moisten a gauze napkin in the resulting mixture and place it on your hands, wrap it with cling film on top and put on cotton gloves or wrap it in a towel. Leave this compress for twenty minutes, after which remove any remaining residue with a cotton pad. After the procedure, it is recommended to wear cotton gloves. This procedure is best done at night.

This compress will not only eliminate dryness and flaking of the skin, but will also make it smooth and elastic. Mix a teaspoon of salicylic acid with a mixture of honey and olive oil, taken in half a glass, preheated in a water bath. Distribute the resulting mixture while warm on a gauze napkin and apply to your hands. Wrap the top in plastic and wrap it in a towel. Hold the compress for twenty minutes, after which remove the remaining product with a cotton pad previously soaked in lemon juice.

This mask also helps with dryness: thoroughly grind two egg yolks with two tablespoons of honey and olive oil (1/3 cup). Stir the mixture thoroughly to form a homogeneous paste. Apply it to the skin of your hands and leave until completely dry. Then remove the remaining mask with a cotton pad.

Or this recipe for dry hands: combine two egg whites with the juice of two lemons and add two tablespoons of vegetable oil. The resulting mixture should be wiped over the skin of your hands twice a day.

Hand baths.
Hand baths are an excellent way to soften the skin. In particular, baths of plantain infusion prepared from a tablespoon of herbs and a liter of boiling water. Infuse the mixture for thirty minutes. Keep your hands in the resulting decoction for ten to fifteen minutes, after which you should wipe them dry and apply a rich cream.

A decoction of chamomile will soften the skin of your hands and have a healing effect on cracks. To prepare it, you need to pour a tablespoon of chamomile (flowers) into a liter of boiling water and leave for fifteen minutes. Then place your hands in a decoction at a temperature of (40-42°C) for twenty minutes. After this, dry your hands lightly with a soft cloth and apply a rich cream.

Fifteen-minute baths of hot infusion of sage, prepared from two tablespoons of leaves and 400 ml of boiling water, will help soothe dry and cracked skin of the hands, as well as relieve inflammation. The mixture is infused until it cools completely, then filtered. Instead of infusion, you can use a decoction of plantain, prepared from a decoction of two tablespoons of leaves and 400 ml of boiling water. The mixture is placed on low heat and boiled for ten minutes, then cooled and filtered.

A serum bath also has a positive effect on the skin of the hands, eliminating dryness and flaking. Heat two glasses of whey until warm. Leave your hands for fifteen minutes after the procedure and dry your hands with a towel.

A herbal bath will also soothe red and dry skin on your hands. Mix linden, chamomile, sage, mint and dill in equal proportions. Take two tablespoons of the resulting mixture and pour a liter of boiling water. Leave for twenty minutes, then keep your hands in the infusion. The procedure lasts no more than twenty minutes.

Heat any vegetable oil in a water bath and hold your hands in it for twenty to thirty minutes; it is advisable to carry out this procedure at least twice a week.

And finally, once a week pamper your hands with home SPA treatments. You can add essential oils (birch, bergamot, basil, grapefruit, clove, etc.) to warm water and soak your hands in it for twenty minutes. Then you should scrub the dry skin with light circular movements using a delicate product (ideally gommage with fruit acids). This product will carefully cleanse the skin of dead cells without damaging it. After this, it is recommended to do oil wraps. Mix three tablespoons of olive (or linseed, sunflower) oil with a tablespoon of honey, place in a water bath and heat to a temperature of 40-45°C. In the resulting composition, moisten a previously prepared piece of gauze, folded in several layers, and apply to the skin of the hands. The gauze should be wrapped in film on top and cotton gloves should be worn. It is better to carry out the procedure at night.