Causes of dry hands and feet (English)

The skin serves as an indicator of health, since with various disorders in the body, cracks may appear on it, the skin begins to dry out and crack. This is especially noticeable on the hands and feet.

Dry skin problem

Causes of dry skin on hands and feet

Any person, even a girl who takes care of herself, can face such a problem as peeling and dry skin of the extremities.

Internal reasons

The epidermis on the arms and legs may begin to dry out, itch, and peel if a person has systemic diseases. Dry skin indicates that there is:

dehydration;
lack of vitamins;
diabetes;
insufficient thyroid function;
heat;
prolonged stress;
metabolic disorders;
liver diseases;
allergy;
skin diseases, dermatitis, ichthyosis;
viral diseases of the dermis;
disturbances in the absorption of essential nutrients;
renal dysfunction and cholecystitis;
oncology;
diseases of the nervous system, mental problems;
inflammation of the gallbladder.

Also, the skin on the palms and soles may begin to dry out due to the onset of irreversible age-related deterioration in health.

External

This skin problem can also be temporary and susceptible to external influences. In such cases, the cause is outside the human body:

insufficient air humidity in the room, especially in winter;
prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation or cold temperatures;
sudden transitions from heat to cold;
poor care of the skin of the limb;
use of corrosive detergents;
abuse of peeling;
smoking, drinking alcohol, eating unhealthy.

By eliminating the external cause, you can correct flaky skin on your arms and legs.

Combating dry skin on hands and feet

If dry skin on your hands and feet appears, you should find out the reasons and start treatment as soon as possible. If the problems are internal, the doctor will prescribe adequate therapy.

Creams

The most convenient means for preventing dryness and restoring the skin of the extremities are creams. For daily care you must use products containing:

occlusive substances that form a film on the skin;
non-occlusive – eliminating skin dehydration;
nourishing substances (vitamin F, flaxseed oil, fatty acids).

Note! The best creams for the skin of the hands and feet are considered to be glycerin, Vaseline, and aloe vera juice - they eliminate the symptoms of roughness and dryness of the epidermis and stimulate its regeneration.

Pantoderm cream eliminates dry skin

It is possible to make the cream yourself by thoroughly mixing a simple baby cream, a little glycerin, and a couple of drops of liquid vitamins A and E. It is recommended to apply this composition with your finger to problem areas of the skin.

Masks

Folk experience in dealing with dry skin of the extremities offers many options for simple and effective masks.

Important! The key to getting rid of dryness is regular use of the products. One of the recipes requires mixing a simple cream with lemon juice, then spreading the mixture on your hands and, wearing gloves, leaving it overnight. The frequency of use of such a mask is once every 6-7 days.

To improve the appearance of the skin of your feet, a green apple mask is good: in the form of a paste, it is applied to the feet and covered with gauze, and socks are put on top. Exposure period is one night.

A mask of grated raw potatoes mixed with flaxseeds and water and boiled over low heat is a strong moisturizer for the skin of the feet. You can use this product for 30-40 minutes.

Baths

Hand and foot baths containing decoctions of medicinal plants, such as oak bark, chamomile, sage, St. John's wort, celery, linden, and nettle, are a good solution to the problem of moisturizing the skin. These procedures also help combat irritation, itching and redness. In autumn and winter, a decoction of potatoes with boiled pulp helps.

Additional Information. The crushed raw materials are infused for half an hour, the duration of the bath is 20 minutes. Immersing your hands and feet in a mixture of honey, milk and jojoba oil will make your skin softer and more velvety.

A bath of oil and honey is good for the skin of the hands and feet

If cracks appear

Often painful and unsightly cracks appear on the skin, which prevent a person from living normally and performing his duties.

Causes

Why does the skin on my fingers and toes crack? The cause may be a fungus that destroys the epidermis; vitamin imbalance; increased blood sugar; skin diseases; dysfunction of the endocrine system. The external environment also has a negative impact: cold or chlorinated water, household chemicals, low-quality cosmetics, temperature changes, solar radiation, tight shoes.

Treatment

Minor cracks can be treated with cosmetic creams, softening balms and herbal extracts, as well as special balms sold in pharmacies.

For deep cracks, pharmaceutical preparations are recommended: ichthyol, Vishnevsky ointment, medical glue “Sulfacrylate” and BF-6.

If the wounds are quite extensive, it is necessary to use antiseptics such as Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, Miramistin and antibacterial agents.

Among the folk remedies, a milk-glycerin solution, cedar oil, and cucumber compress are recommended.

Moisturizing and nourishing the skin

Moisturizing the skin of the hands and feet is an excellent prevention of dryness; pharmacy and homemade creams and ointments, as well as folk tricks, help out. The skin on the legs is perfectly moisturized with a coffee scrub, which also promotes cell renewal. Hands are saturated with moisture after a relaxing bath, peeling, using fruit and vegetable masks.

Moisturizing the skin is impossible without organizing a healthy diet with sufficient nutrients and vitamins. It is also necessary to additionally protect the skin of your hands with gloves.

Skin care for hands and feet

Skin health is promoted by proper and regular skin care. It includes the use of nourishing creams after washing hands, control of hydration, and the use of gloves.

Feet require weekly exfoliation to remove dead skin, cleansing and softening baths.

Prevention of dry skin

To avoid dry skin on your hands and feet, you should adhere to the following rules:

using moisturizing soap;
carrying out exfoliating peelings and paraffin baths for hands;
refusal of synthetic clothing;
use of organic cosmetics with neutral ph;
swimming in warm water, drying with natural towels;
avoiding saunas and scrubs;
abstinence from alcohol and cigarettes;
enriching food with vitamins and controlling fluid intake.

Dry skin on the hands and feet, causes and treatment, are quite pressing issues for many people who take care of themselves. With the help of dermatologists, cosmetologists and nutritionists with an integrated approach, this problem can be completely solved.

Video

You can find out about the development of problems in the human body if you pay attention to the fact that he has dry skin on his hands and feet - the reasons can be different. When the palms or feet begin to dry, or the skin on the legs and arms of an adult or child begins to peel, this is not only a lack of hydration. Dryness often indicates the presence of chronic diseases.

Why does skin dry out?

Ancient healers determined a person's health by the condition of his skin. Performing protective functions, the skin participates in water-salt metabolism and thermoregulation. Any problems with this organ indicate an incipient or progressive pathology in the body. The causes of dry skin can be both internal and external. Before stocking up on moisturizing creams, you should understand what external factor dries out the epidermis and eliminate it:

unbalanced diet;
bad habits;
hair removal, depilation;
frequent peeling sessions, dermabrasion;
low-quality cosmetics;
wearing synthetic underwear;
age-related changes;
improper care;
low indoor humidity;
prolonged exposure to heat or cold;
sudden changes in temperature.

Causes of dry skin on feet

If vitamin deficiency is excluded, then drying out of the epidermis of the lower extremities indicates uneven blood circulation. Blood flow can be disrupted by wearing tight shoes or small tights. This fact causes not only dry skin, but also the formation of varicose veins. High socks and too-tight leggings are harmful; wearing them regularly will cause dry skin on your legs. Another factor that dries out the epidermis of the lower extremities is the use of cosmetics that contain a lot of alkalis.

The skin on the legs is peeling

Many women are interested in the question, especially in winter, why the skin on their legs is dry and flaky. The answer lies on the surface - she is dehydrated. It is difficult for the body to retain natural moisture in winter; as a result, the skin on the legs peels, it becomes white, covered with small scales, and in general, it looks unaesthetic. The situation can be corrected by proper drinking regimen. Not sweet coffee or tea, but clean drinking water per day, no less than 1.5 liters.

On the soles of my feet

If you have not walked barefoot on the ground or on hard surfaces, but your feet are very dry, this may indicate that they have a fungal infection. Diagnosing an infectious disease is not difficult: thickening of the nails is visible, the skin of the fingers takes on an unnatural red tint, peels, and itches. If all of the listed symptoms on the foot are present, you should go to a dermatologist. The specialist will order a test that will identify the type of fungus, after which you need to treat the infection with the appropriate ointment.

Below the knees

Many people have a very sensitive epidermis, so the skin on their legs below the knees peels due to the aggressive effects of cold, sun, wind, water or air. The solution to the problem can be greasy care creams or cosmetics with high UV protection. The cause of dryness can be the body's reaction to any food irritant. It is necessary to identify the product that causes the allergic reaction and remove it from the diet.

Peeling of the epidermis below the knees and on the ankles can occur for natural reasons when the body's processes slow down due to aging. After 50 years of age, the skin becomes thin as it loses moisture. This condition is caused by age-related changes in collagen fibers, which are the building blocks of the epidermis. Eating foods rich in collagen will help normalize fat and lipid metabolism: kelp, rabbit meat, turkey, fatty salmon fish, leafy greens.

Cracked skin on toes

Often the cause of the problem lies in lifestyle. For example, a man or woman adheres to a strict diet, limiting the intake of necessary substances into the body. As a result, the skin on the feet and toes cracks. Effective treatment of dry epidermis - a full course of vitamin therapy. Sometimes this symptom indicates a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, so it would not be superfluous to be examined by an endocrinologist.

On the shins

This problem usually occurs after improper shaving. The following will help correct the situation: a sharp blade, special depilatory creams and moisturizing the epidermis. You can eliminate dry skin on the lower legs using olive, flaxseed or coconut oil, which must be rubbed in daily after showering or shaving. Increased dryness will go away if you make a nourishing mask several times a week, which contains: baby cream, 3 drops of glycerin, 1 drop each of vitamin E and A (oil solution).

Causes of dry hand skin

Wrinkling, peeling, permanent condition of the skin of the upper extremities - many people are familiar with this situation. These symptoms are a signal from the body that it is necessary to start taking care of your hands. Insufficient care, vitamin deficiency and stress have a bad effect on the condition of the epidermis. However, the causes of dry hand skin are not only external. This condition may be due to other factors:

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. With a lack of vitamins and microelements, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted, which immediately affects the condition of the epidermis.
Diabetes. Increased sugar provokes dry skin.
Iron-deficiency anemia. The disease causes dry and itchy skin, which begins to crack and hurt.
Fungal infections. If your feet are affected by a fungus, then it is more likely that the peeling of your hands is also caused by it.
Allergy. Caused by anything from household chemicals to wearing rings. A dermatologist will identify the allergen after tests.

Why does the skin on my palms peel?

Peeling of the palms is much less common, but the sight is unsightly and unpleasant. The factors that lead hands to such a state are varied, and the method of solving the problem depends on the reason that caused it. If the skin on your palms is dry, you should definitely contact a dermatologist, because such symptoms appear during exacerbation of eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis. Self-medication with such a diagnosis is unacceptable. There are many diseases, signs of which are peeling and bursting of the epidermis on the palms:

lupus erythematosus;
staphylococcal infections;
lichen planus;
syphilis;
fungal infections;
scabies;
hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis.

On fingers

With frequent contact with water, a person’s hand skin becomes very dry, because water dries out the epidermis and washes away the protective layer. This problem can be corrected if you regularly take baths with such softening ingredients as a decoction of oak bark, nettle, chamomile, St. John's wort, linden, and sage. Often dry skin on the fingers occurs due to weakened immunity or vitamin deficiency in spring and autumn. In this case, nutritional adjustments are needed. If you have congenital dryness or a genetic predisposition, your fingers need softening throughout the year.

Dry skin between fingers

When peeling of the epidermis between the fingers occurs, many reasons can be suspected. Most are due to improper hand care or reactions to detergents. Other causes of dryness between the fingers are a fungal infection or vitamin deficiency. What to do to avoid the problem:

After washing your hands, the area between the fingers should be thoroughly dried;
When washing dishes or doing laundry, use gloves and then moisturize;
choose the right creams (ointments) for your hands and regularly care for them;
In cold weather, do not be without warm gloves or mittens.

Dryness and redness of the skin of the hands

Why does the skin on my hands dry out? Women are especially concerned about this combination of pathologies such as dryness and redness. If the skin bursts at the same time, then most likely this is a consequence of lack of care. To prevent dryness and redness of the skin of your hands, as well as dermatitis, blisters and peeling, which can occur due to poor hygiene, you need to constantly lubricate them. Folk recipes provide excellent hydration and nutrition effects. Our ancestors also advised:

apply cream, sour cream or make milk compresses after each hand wash;
use unrefined vegetable oil as a compress at night under gloves.

Dry skin in a child

In children, the epidermis dries out for many reasons. Basically, cracks on the body are provoked by low activity of the sebaceous glands, which arise due to increased water hardness. Dry skin in a child is caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, poor nutrition of the mother during lactation or pregnancy, and early refusal of breastfeeding. As a rule, it is not worth treating the sensitive epidermis of a one-year-old child. Over time, it returns to normal on its own.

Rough on a baby

Immediately after birth, the baby’s epidermis is covered with vernix lubrication, which first helped pass the birth canal and then adapted the child to the air environment. When the substance dries, rough skin appears on the baby, which immediately reflects irritation, dermatitis, and allergic manifestations. The situation is aggravated by unfiltered bathing water, lack of air baths, infrequent changes of linen, and poor mother’s diet. In order for the upper layer of the child’s epidermis to adapt faster, the following measures should be taken:

improve nutrition;
remove all irritating factors;
choose only hypoallergenic products for bathing;
increase the humidity in the children's room to 75-80%;
lower the room temperature to 19-21 degrees.

Skin is a very important and functional part of the body that reflects the internal health of the human body. Some defects and irregularities may appear on its surface, indicating certain malfunctions in the body or any diseases.

Moreover, problems can arise even with careful care. One of these defects is excessive dry skin that occurs on the arms and legs. The reasons for this can be very different.

The main causes and harmful factors causing dryness on the hands and feet

This not very pleasant symptom is usually caused by various factors, which can be both internal and external.

Drying of the skin often occurs due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold and frost., in windy weather. This phenomenon also occurs in people who are in conditions of low air humidity (usually in winter, in rooms with heating on).
Use of aggressive detergents without using protective gloves. Ordinary soap or laundry detergent can cause harm.
Inadequate care skin care is one of the main factors. Or incorrectly chosen cosmetics for body care.
Age-related changes in organism.
Reason dryness hair removal often occurs.
Dry skin on the arms and legs, the causes of which are: allergic reactions, often indicates a violation of any metabolic processes in the body.
Dry skin is sometimes caused by very low hemoglobin, anemia.
Dysbacteriosis provokes problems with human skin.
Improper and unbalanced nutrition.
Insufficient amount of fluid consumed.
When wearing uncomfortable or narrow shoes thickening of the skin of the feet occurs, resulting in severe dryness and cracks.
Wearing clothes made from synthetic fabrics.

Carefully! There are often cases where dry skin is chronic, peeling and scales appear on the surface of the epidermis. These are manifestations of more serious health problems that require special attention.

Diseases whose symptoms include dry skin

This unpleasant symptom often occurs against the background of any disease:

Fungal infections of the skin (for example, mycosis, dermatitis).
Various skin pathological conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis).
Diabetes mellitus and other disorders of the body's endocrine system.
Allergic reactions.
Parasites are also the cause of dry skin on the hands and feet.
Women who have reached menopause most often suffer from dry epidermis. This is due to hormonal changes in the body.
A disease called ichthyosis causes dry scales to appear on the surface of the skin.
Disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys lead to large losses of fluid, and as a result, dehydration occurs in the tissues of the epidermis.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that provoke metabolic disorders. As a result, the entire body, including the dermis, suffers from a lack of vitamins and life-giving moisture.
Hypovitaminosis.

Dry skin on the hands and feet, caused by any of the listed diseases, requires complex treatment: A prerequisite is properly selected therapy directed against the detected disease, as well as careful care of the body’s skin, its moisturizing and nutrition.

Medications to relieve dry skin

To prevent drying out and damage to the skin, effective daily care aimed at moisturizing and nourishing is required. Protection from environmental irritants is also important.

First of all, various foci of inflammation, peeling, itching, etc. should be eliminated on the surface of the dermis. To achieve this, you need to use tools that include:

Occlusive components that contribute to the formation of a kind of protective film on the skin. But such remedies cannot eliminate the causes of dehydration.
Non-occlusive substances are glycerin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, urea, lactic acid, etc.
Antioxidants (vitamins E and C).
Elements to nourish the dermis, such as vitamin F, flaxseed oil, essential fatty acids.

Physiological lipids, also called ceramides, are also useful for recreating the protective barrier of the dermis.

Note! Among the pharmaceutical drugs aimed at eliminating the symptoms of dry skin are the following:

"Belobaza" – softens the epidermis
"Dexpanthenol" – stimulates regeneration
"Pantoderm", «Psoricap», «Balsamed», «Petrolatum», «Elovera», «Glycerol" and many others.

Folk remedies for dry skin on hands and feet

To cope with this disease, you can use various folk recipes that are distinguished by their simplicity and effectiveness. The main condition here is the regularity of body care procedures.

It is advisable to use oils in combination with other moisturizing compounds:

For the skin on the hands: you need to add 1 spoon of warm vegetable oil to a small amount of ordinary cream, add very little lemon juice to this mixture. Apply the resulting substance to the skin and put on gloves and leave overnight. This remedy is recommended to be used every week.
Whey helps to cope with dry skin, from which you can make baths for the skin of your hands, as well as for your feet.
Traditional medicine recommends eliminating excessive dryness and roughness of the skin of the feet using a green apple, from which you need to prepare a puree and apply it to your feet using gauze. Socks should be worn over this compress. It is better to carry out this procedure before going to bed so that the product works all night, and in the morning you just need to wash your feet and lubricate them with a special cream.
Very good for hydration gruel from raw potatoes with the addition of flaxseed and a small amount of water. This mixture should be simmered over low heat until slightly thickened. Then, after it has cooled, apply the mixture to the soles of your feet, rinse off after half an hour and apply a nourishing cream.
You can make moisturizer at home, which is suitable for both hands and feet. To do this, you will need natural yogurt with the addition of olive oil. It should be applied several times during the day.

Another great recipe: one tablespoon of regular cream for children, a few drops of glycerin, a drop of vitamin A and E. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and apply to hands and feet several times a day.

Useful products for healthy skin

Many people, paying great attention to the condition of their own skin, purchase expensive cosmetics to care for it, but forget about such an important point as proper nutrition and consumption of exactly those products that deliver the body the greatest amount of nutrients that contribute to the overall health of the body.

Dermatologists are confident that beautiful skin is directly related to good human health.

Regular consumption of seafood is very important, containing zinc, omega 3 and other beneficial elements, which reduce dry skin and reduce the risk of premature aging. In addition, the circulatory system improves, which affects the condition of the skin.

All citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which is important for the epidermis., frequent consumption of oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit will help avoid the early appearance of wrinkles.

Red and green vegetables are also very useful: carrots, peppers, spinach, etc. They contain vitamin A, which promotes the formation of new cells and the elimination of old ones. As a result, dry skin on the arms and legs, caused by insufficient amounts of vitamins, becomes more hydrated and healthy.

Vitamin complexes to restore skin health

Even with the most careful care, the skin on the hands and feet often does not look aesthetically pleasing and causes discomfort. Most often this is due to excessive dryness caused by a deficiency of vitamin substances that ensure the production of elastin and collagen.

If your skin is dry, your body lacks B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, E, F, K

Pharmacies provide a wide selection of various vitamin complexes for healthy skin (“Vitrum», «Complivit», «Alphabet" etc.). Regular use of these medications will help you effectively cope with the problem. But first you should consult a doctor who will select the most suitable complex in accordance with the individual characteristics of the body.

Proper skin care to prevent dryness

The skin on the hands and feet often becomes very dry and irritated, and if the reasons for this are insufficient or improper care, then the problem can be solved provided that certain body care rules are followed.

For proper hand care, you should use a nourishing cream, which must be applied after each hand washing. Creams must be purchased based on glycerin or containing any oils. And to effectively eliminate skin irritation, creams based on herbal extracts, such as chamomile, are used.

Skin of hands, Unfortunately, does not have sebaceous glands, so it needs special and careful care and hydration. And when using detergents, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves to prevent additional drying and damage.

As for the legs, everything is a little more complicated, since the skin on them is rougher due to more intense loads and shoes. Therefore, it is advisable to use peeling or brushing to rid the skin of the feet of the stratum corneum, as well as baths with the addition of cleansers or oils.

The procedure for peeling the skin of the legs and feet must be performed every week, and after it, thoroughly moisturize with a special foot cream.

Important to remember! The best option is to visit a beauty salon to get a manicure and pedicure, during which intensive care is provided not only for the skin of the hands and feet, but also for the cuticles and nails.

Dermatologists and nutritionists agree that To eliminate skin problems associated with dryness, an integrated approach is required. That is, you need to take into account not only external stimuli, but also look for reasons inside the body.

5 mistakes that make your skin terribly dry

Many may have noticed that as winter approaches, the skin begins to malfunction more and more: dryness, cracks, spots and peeling appear. During this difficult weather period, she needs special care, radically different from that in the warm summer.

Here's what Callie Papantoniou, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City, has to say:

“You need to take care of dry skin wisely. Scrubs, alcohol and foaming cleansers will only make your already flaky skin worse.”

Based on all human actions in everyday life, scientists have compiled rating of daily bad habits that have a negative and detrimental effect on human skin, ultimately causing dry skin throughout the body and face.

Soap-based detergents, including those created to combat acne. You need to be wary of foamy and soapy cleansers, as they strip the skin of its own natural oils. “There are many cosmetic products suitable for normal to oily skin, but using them on dry skin is simply disastrous.”, says Papantoniou. Foundations, face masks, and products used to treat acne also contribute to dry skin. Therefore, you need to choose products that cleanse the skin without stripping it of moisture.
Hot shower. Taking a very hot, steamy shower relaxes the body, but at the same time, dry, itchy skin suffers. High temperature water, just like the products described above, sucks natural oils from the skin and leads to dryness. For those with dry skin, only a cool or warm shower is suitable. It would be a good idea to think about purchasing a special humidifier.
Using skin care products in the wrong order. They should only be used in the following order:
- cleansing;
— moisturizing serum;
- cream;
- oil (only if the skin is still dry).
Only this order is the most correct and allows you to achieve the desired hydration for a long period of time. Rosehip oil and coconut oil create a strong water barrier and can be used in winter, preferably before bed.
Scrubs and over-cleansing peels. They help get rid of flaky and dead skin, but at the same time mercilessly scratch the thin surface of the epidermis.
Using skin care products that contain alcohol as the main ingredient. It has a detrimental effect on dry sensitive skin. Alcohol strips the skin of moisture. Alcohol-containing products can disrupt the skin's protective barrier, leading to even more severe dryness.

Before choosing the right care for dry skin, you should understand the cause of the dryness itself. It is worth taking note, it may be a sign of psoriasis or eczema.

These diseases are typically characterized by itchy, red crusts or flakes on the skin. Also, if dryness extends not only to the face, but also to the body, then this may be a sign of some internal disorder.

Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and some medications can cause abnormal dry skin. In this case, only a doctor will help you figure out whether this problem is physiological or of some other nature.

Causes of dry hands and feet