Causes and Treatments of Cracked Skin on Hands and Feet
As the winter season is approaching, dryness can become an increasingly problematic issue to manage. The skin - particularly on hands and feet - is significantly affected by cold weather compared to other body parts. Dryness in general, whether it is during winter or summer, can lead to cracked skin, which can cause skin bleeding or swelling if it is not timely treated.
What is Cracked skin?
Cracked skin is a common concern of people with dryness problems. Skin cracking on hands and feet, especially heels, is very prevalent in winter regardless of your skin type. This condition can arise due to improper skincare, insufficient moisturization, and bad weather conditions. Children experience it more than adults in some cases and vice versa.
Cracked skin can be an embarrassing condition as it usually reflects poor health care and carelessness. Improper diet can also be a reason for skin issues. While going out, you can apply Delfina Dry Skin Oil to soothe and eliminate your cracked skin. Its regular application can heal your cracked skin altogether and give you back your lost confidence.
Causes of Cracked Skin
There are several different causes of cracked skin, some of which are listed below.
- Dry and cold winds
Continuous or long hours of exposure to cold winds during a walk in winter can crack up your heels and hands.
- Hot baths
Bathing with hot water for long periods can also affect the skin barrier and cause cracked hands and feet.
- Dry Skin
Excessive skin dryness can lead to cracked skin on both hands and feet. Skin dryness is usually the first stage of cracked skin.
- Aging
As you become older, your body replaces skin cells less frequently due to hormonal and metabolic changes. The outer layer of your skin thickens as a result of these changes.
Furthermore, as you age, the protecting fat cushion on your sole thins out. Your skin gets more stressed when the cushioning in the heel and ball of the footwears away, resulting in cracked and often itchy skin.
- Genetics
You can inherit skin dryness from your parents if you follow all the measures for its prevention and still get it anyway.
- Allergies to certain fabrics
Contact with certain fabric materials can also cause dryness that leads to cracked skin. Avoid using textured fabrics like woven clothes that might aggravate irritation.
- Allergies to certain chemicals
Some chemicals included in detergents, soaps, or other skincare products may irritate your skin. Try to wear rubber gloves while washing clothes or utensils to protect your skin from water exposure and chemicals at the same time.
- Side effects of some medicines
Some medications that you take for some of your other health issues might cause dryness, or diabetes can also be a reason for skin dryness.
- Work conditions
If your workplace is centrally air-conditioned, you can experience skin dryness. Therefore, it can become a significant problem for your skin. If the moisture level is not up to the required level, you can even get asthma if the problem persists.
- Eczema
Eczema, often known as atopic dermatitis, is characterized by dry, itchy skin. The skin may appear red and swollen. Scratching the rash will usually make it worse.
When the skin barrier permits too much moisture to escape, eczema develops. A lack of humidity causes dryness and, in some instances, cracked skin. Eczema does not always have a clear cause. However, it can be genetic.
Delfina Dry Skin Oil not only prevents eczema from occurring if it is used regularly, but it can also be used as a treatment option for people who have developed or inherited it. Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil twice a day for at least 14 days to achieve visible results.
- Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by an autoimmune disorder. Patches of abnormally dry skin appear on the scalp, trunk, and around the joints in people with psoriasis. Patches, on the other hand, can form anywhere on the body. Psoriasis patients may also experience pain and difficulty even in a stationary position if the condition aggravates.
Delfina Dry Skin Oil treats psoriatic skin by removing dead skin and replacing new healthy skin. Since the skin is more damaged due to psoriasis, it may take up to several months for the skin to improve. As such, patience and persistence are vital in the actualization of healthy skin.
When should you be concerned?
You may develop severe skin issues such as bacterial infections, broken fingernails, or toenails if your cracked skin is caused by eczema or another skin condition like an athlete's foot.
Some signs and symptoms could suggest a potentially concerning problem on the horizon. These early signs include skin darkening, severe redness, and discharge from swollen parts of the skin.
If your dry hands and feet don't improve with home remedies, or if you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should consult a doctor.
Diabetes patients have impaired circulation in their feet and may face nervous system dysfunction. These factors can lead to dry skin and steadily healing fissures.
Fissures on the heels of the feet can sometimes turn into painful ulcers, making it difficult for people to stand or walk and carry out routine activities. According to many experts, some people with diabetes may require amputation if their ulcers become severe.
Prevention and Treatment
Several treatment options can help in countering cracked skin and dryness. These are further discussed below.
- Use humidifiers
Humidifiers help maintain the required moisture level in the atmosphere during winters or places where the moisture is low.
- Avoid the use of chemicals and allergic fabrics
Avoid or stop using fabrics that irritate your hands or feet. This includes gloves and socks. Inspect or test the material of gloves and socks before extending its use.
- Be gentle while drying your skin
After bathing or washing your hands or exfoliating your feet, use a soft cotton cloth to dry it and not rub vigorously; otherwise, it can cause redness or even bleeding if you have sensitive skin.
- Insulate yourself before going out
Insulate yourself adequately before going out, especially at night during cold weather. Wear socks and gloves made of non-irritable fabric and apply Delfina Dry Skin Oil as a prevention measure.
- Avoid frequent hand washing
Washing your hands very often can remove the necessary proteins from your skin's upper layer. The skin barrier gets compromised, and you become at risk of getting infected if your skin is not adequately moisturized or treated through timely medical care. However, Delfina Dry Skin Oil penetrates the skin's layers and hydrates the skin by infusing beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, which restore the integrity of skin layers and provide lasting protection.
- Avoid sunlight exposure
Apply sunscreen having an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or above for sunlight protection. Ultraviolet or prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage your skin cells and flare up dryness.
- Wear covered shoes to work
While going out, wear covered shoes with socks to keep your feet and heels warm and moisturized.
Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil for soft and moisturized skin on hands and feet. Apply twice a day for best results.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells from the surface. This is the most common remedy for cracked heels and feet.
To exfoliate your feet, do the following:
- Soak your feet for around 20-25 minutes in lukewarm water.
- Scrub the dry skin away with a loofah or pumice stone.
- Apply a moisturizer such as Delfina Dry Skin Oil after patting dry.
To begin, exfoliate once or twice a week.
Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil
Delfina Dry Skin Oil is a perfect hydrating agent for skin dryness and cracks, and it is also light on your skin. It has no fragrance and can be applied to the entire body compared to some products with a limited application area. It is a pure vegan product made by a doctor, keeping in mind all the necessary ingredients required for the natural healing of the skin barrier and rejuvenating the skin health by hydrating it.
The Bottom Line
Cracked heels and hands can be even more problematic for people who also suffer from eczema or psoriasis if the condition is not timely treated. Use Delfina Dry Skin Oil in your day and night skincare routine to treat skin dryness and eliminate your cracked skin because once the dryness is treated, it is unlikely for it to lead to cracked skin. You can consult a dermatologist to determine the root of your cracked skin.
Cracked heels can become a very concerning and often embarrassing situation for college-going or office-working women. The embarrassment may also lead to potential mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential to treat such skin conditions timely and follow a proper diet and skincare routine to look good and feel good.
