how to repair cracked fingers

One trick that may help cracked hands and fingertips is to apply a cream, ointment, or another moisturizer before bed, then place gloves or socks over your hands and leave them on while you sleep. Although there’s no magic fix to heal peeling fingertips overnight, using a moisturizer regularly should make a difference within days.

Full Answer

What is the best home remedy for Cracked Fingers?

The followings are steps to use Epsom salt for healing cracked fingertips:

• In a basin or bucket containing water, add ½ cup of Epsom salt and stir well
• Soak your hands into the water for 15 minutes
• Repeat this routine 3 times per week

How to heal cracked skin on fingers?

• There are many ways that you can treat your cracked skin at home if the condition isn’t too severe. ...
• Since dry skin can cause cracked skin and in most cases can worsen it, it’s important to keep your skin well hydrated. ...
• Use skin care products that contain ingredients such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter.

More items...

How to cope with painful, dry, and cracked hands?

To keep your hands well-hydrated at home:

• After washing your hands, let them slightly damp or air dry.
• When your hands are damp, apply hand cream, focusing on your fingertips and nails.
• If you use hand sanitizer, apply moisturizer directly, as the alcohol in hand sanitizer can make dry skin worse.

How to heal extremely dry cracked hands?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Applying Commercial Products

1. Use vaseline on your hands. Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is great for hydrating your skin and locking in moisture.
2. Get a hand cream with natural ingredients. Hand creams will provide a thicker protective barrier for your hands than hand lotions.
3. Try antibiotic ointment or cream. ...
4. Speak to your doctor about a prescription hand cream. ...

How do you heal cracked fingers faster?

Begin healing your thumb tips by sealing the cracks with a liquid bandage and moisturizing your hands several times a day, especially while they are still damp from handwashing. Use a thick moisturizer, such as CeraVe, Eucerin or Cetaphil.

What causes cracked splitting fingers?

In most cases, cracked and peeling skin around the fingertips is caused by dry skin. Many people also experience dry skin from frequent handwashing, since soap that is needed to remove bacteria and other germs from the skin also dries it out.

Is Vaseline good for cracked skin?

To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to: Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids.

What is the best cream for cracked hands?

CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream. Amazon. ... Avène Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream. Ulta. ... O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream. Amazon. ... EltaMD So Silky Hand Crème. Amazon. ... Vaseline Dry Hands Rescue. Target. ... Vaseline 2-in-1 Hand Sanitizer Lotion. Target. ... Dove Body Love Moisturizing Hand Cream. ... Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Hand Cream.More items...•

How do you prevent finger fissures?

Avoiding exposure to cold air and hot water will help reduce your skin fissures. If you're washing the dishes for example, wearing gloves will help to protect your hands and fingertips from splitting. Both sanitizer and detergent can be very harsh on our hands. Especially if it contains alcohol.

What deficiency causes dry hands?

According to Dr. Nandini Barua, "One of the most prominent signs of Vitamin D deficiency is witnessing severe dryness of the skin. Medically, it is called Ichthyosis. This disorder is caused by an alteration in genes that are supposed to function as skin barriers.

What is the best home remedy for dry cracked hands?

A person can try these remedies as a first line of treatment for dry hands:Use moisturizers. Many moisturizers are designed for the hands and are available commercially. ... Protect the skin. ... Try overnight treatments. ... Apply aloe vera. ... Avoid soap. ... Wear gloves. ... Use a humidifier. ... Decrease stress.More items...•

What does a skin fissure look like?

The visible signs of skin fissures include: breaks in the skin that look similar to cuts or cracks. thickened or calloused skin around the fissure. dry skin in the surrounding area.

How to heal a cracked finger?

To heal the cracked skin on your fingers, keep your skin moisturized when you wash your hands by switching to a liquid soap for sensitive skin. Avoid bar soaps unless they have soothing ingredients like aloe or oatmeal, since they’re more likely to dry out your skin.

How to get rid of dry skin on fingers?

3. Wear gloves if you're outside in cold weather. Cold weather is often a cause of dry, cracked skin on fingers. Invest in a good pair of warm gloves and wear them whenever you're outside in temperatures below 36 °F (2 °C). If possible, wash your hands and apply moisturizer before putting your gloves on.

Why do you need rubber gloves when cleaning?

If you're cleaning the bathroom or washing dishes, rubber gloves can protect your cracked skin and keep your condition from getting worse. Lined rubber gloves typically will be better for your skin. Rubber gloves can cause friction that makes dry, cracked skin worse.

How to get rid of a crack in your skin?

Then use the applicator to paint the liquid skin bandage over the deeper crack. Give the liquid skin bandage a minute to dry. Pull on your skin gently to see if the edges of the skin along the crack move.

How to reuse rubber gloves?

If you're going to reuse rubber gloves, take them off from the wrist so that chemicals from the cleansers don't touch your skin. Rinse off the exterior and hang them up to dry. ...

How to get your hands to dry out?

Heat dries out your skin. However, washing your hands in cold water may not get them as clean as you want. Use warm or tepid water. Test the temperature with the inside of your arm, rather than with your fingers. Try to use warm water in the bath or shower as well, especially if the rest of your skin is also dry.

What to do when your skin is cracked?

When you've finished washing, gently pat your skin to dry it rather than rubbing it. Rubbing your skin can cause it to become inflamed and can worsen the peeling of cracked, dry skin. A soft washcloth or hand towel is gentler on your skin than a paper towel.

How to fix a cracked finger?

Super glue can be a quick fix to heal cracked fingertips. Just a dab of it will keep your skin covered ( 12 ). However, some glues may be made of ingredients that can irritate your skin. So, make sure you look at the packaging before going ahead with this remedy. Back To TOC. 10. Liquid Bandage.

How to treat cracked hands?

Wear a pair of moisturizing gel gloves that are special ly made for treating dry and cracked hands. If you cannot find such gloves, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to both your hands and seal it in using cotton gloves. Leave it on overnight.

Why do my fingers peel off?

They are: Peeling and cracked skin may also be due to some underlying medical conditions like: Allergies: If your skin comes in contact with an allergen, it may begin to peel. Niacin (or Vitamin B3) deficiency.

Why does Flexitol peel my fingers?

Flexitol is antifungal and can thus protect your chapped fingers from microbial infections as well. For most people, cracked and peeling skin is mostly a result of climate changes. If it is that time of the year again where your skin has begun to turn dry, you can take the following precautions. Back To TOC.

Why does my thumb peel?

Dry, hot, and cold weathers. Sucking on the thumb. Subscribe. Peeling and cracked skin may also be due to some underlying medical conditions like: Allergies: If your skin comes in contact with an allergen, it may begin to peel. Niacin (or Vitamin B3) deficiency.

What is the best way to treat cracked hands?

Epsom salt is widely used for soothing and rejuvenating the skin. Soaking your hands in an Epsom salt solution can help in the removal of dead skin cells from your skin, thereby helping treat cracked fingertips ( 3 ). Back To TOC. 4. Coconut Oil.

How to make a paraffin glove?

Take a block of paraffin wax and heat it. Wash your hands with a mild soap and moisturize them. Immerse your hands in the wax and leave them in for a few seconds. Take your hands out and repeat this process 3 to 4 times. By now, a paraffin glove must have formed on your hands.

How to heal a cracked finger?

1. Olive Oil. Using olive oil is the first tip on how to heal cracked fingertips fast at home. Olive oil is considered one of the most versatile oils, which is good for health, hair and skin. That is why this natural oil appears in many skin care products, especially moisturizers.

What causes a cracked finger?

Some fungi, viruses, and bacteria can cause cracked fingertips. Not just on the tips of the fingers, this condition can also occur on the hands, feet, and toes. The bad news is that this condition is quite difficult to be treated completely.

What does it mean when your fingertips crack?

Cracked fingertips are a common skin condition, especially in people who are frequently exposed to detergents. It usually occurs in winter. Cracked fingertips will cause skin to crack and peel, causing pain to the patient. Although the new skin is quickly formed, it is very thin and very easy to peel.

What is the best oil for cracked fingertips?

Rose Essential Oil. No wonder, this is definitely one that should be mentioned in this list of tips on how to heal cracked fingertips fast. Rose essential oil is extracted from rose petals, with steam distillation. Damascus Rose is a type of rose commonly used for the distillation and extraction of rose essential oils.

Why do my fingers crack in winter?

Cracked fingertips usually occur in winter. The reason is that the skin has not adapted to the sudden change of temperature. Besides, the cold and dry weather makes the skin susceptible to dehydration. Therefore, the skin may be dry, cracked and peeling.

Why is yogurt good for your skin?

Yogurt contains lactic acid which acts to prevent the intrusion as well as inhibit the activity of harmful bacteria, creating a protective barrier to protect the skin. The fermenting bacteria in yogurt also stimulate skin regeneration. You should use sugar-free yogurt to treat your skin condition because sugar can dry the skin.

How to make your hands feel better after using olive oil?

Warm olive oil in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Mix olive oil and coconut oil in a ratio of 1:1, stir well. Apply this mixture on fingertips, massage gently for 2-3 minutes. After about 15-20 minutes, wash your hands with cool water. Try to execute this method 2-3 times a day to gradually treat your skin condition.

How to cover cracked skin on thumb?

As part of your bedtime routine, apply the moisturizer to the dry, cracked skin on your thumb tips and cover them with cotton gloves or gauze secured with tape.

What to do if your hands are dry?

Or if you often wash your hands with harsh, drying soaps, switch to a milder soap if possible and rinse well.

What to use for a swollen face?

Use a thick moisturizer, such as CeraVe, Eucerin or Cetaphil. It may also help to treat the affected skin with a heavier, oil-based cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, others) while you're sleeping.

Winter Is Hard on Skin

Q. Every year during the winter months, I have a problem with my thumbs cracking at the edge of my thumbnails. It takes weeks for them to heal, and the cracks are very painful. They do not respond to any crack creams or lotions. They clear up on their own only to reappear a few weeks later. They look exactly like a cut, but they hurt a lot more.

Instant Glue to the Rescue

We have heard from a great many visitors that different kinds of instant glue can seal cracked fingertips. Here are just a few stories:

Vicks VapoRub and Vaseline to the Rescue

Glue is not the only option. Although some readers have not been satisfied with any ointments or lotions, others have found brands that help:

Other Strategies for Cracked Fingertips

We recently shared a story from a reader who has type 2 diabetes. She complained of thin fingernails. Her podiatrist recommended a dietary supplement called biotin. To her surprise it also worked for cracked fingertips. You can read her story at this link and read about the pros and cons of biotin.

Speaking of Lip Balm

What about chapped lips? If your lips are dry, why not try our Natural Lip Care products:

Share your own success story

If you’ve experienced cracked fingertips or dry cracked hands and skin, what’s worked for you? Please leave your story in the comment section below.

Why do my hands get cracked in winter?

Cracked and chapped skin is more common in the winter due to the cold wind and comparatively drier air. Exposed skin, such as on the hands ...

Why do my fingers get dry?

Worst of all can be the way the cold affects your skin, leading to dry or cracked fingertips. Cold air holds less moisture, which means that it's much dryer than warm air, and can leave your skin feeling rough, dry, and stinging. Add to that some biting wind, and your skin can really take a beating.

How to get rid of a scaly skin?

Before going to bed, slather your hands with a good amount of hand cream. Use more than you'd use during the day. Then put on some cotton spa gloves and go to sleep. The gloves will prevent the cream from getting all over your sheets, and they'll also ensure that your skin drinks in all that moisture.

What to do when your hands are dry?

If your hands are dry, look for a hand cream with a richer formula, and rub it into the skin so it gets absorbed. Keep some hand cream handy for whenever you feel dry. Janine Ngai for LittleThings.

Can you use super glue on a wound?

Before supergluing yourself to everything, a word of caution: glue should NOT be used on deep or puncture wounds, and always make sure to read any and all packaging before putting anything on your skin, as some glues contain chemicals that can irritate skin.

Can you crack your fingers in winter?

This kind of cracking can also happen on other areas of the hands, like the knuckles. And when your fingers hurt, doing even the simplest of daily tasks can feel just impossible. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent and heal dry, cracked fingertips and keep your hands soft, nimble, and pain-free all winter.

What is it called when your fingers are dry?

Cracks in your fingers can make even the simplest tasks, such as typing, turning a page, or buttoning a button very painful. Medically, dry skin is called xerosis. It is often a natural part of aging, though it can also be an early sign of a condition such as dermatitis. Most often, the skin becomes drier and more irritated in the winter months. ...

How to treat a swollen hand?

Treatment. The best treatment, according to Reed, is prevention. If possible, avoid over-washing, especially with lathering soaps containing detergents that can further dry the skin. Moisturize several times a day with a thick, emollient (lubricating) hand cream or lotion.

Why do my nails itch?

An itchy feeling is the most common symptom. If your skin becomes too dry, the cracks may begin to bleed and the pain may intensify. According to Reed, cracks or “fissures” near your nails are “small but powerful enough to get your attention.”. It can even become so painful that it wakes you up at night.

What to do if your hands are swollen?

Reed recommends speaking to your dermatologist or healthcare provider if your hands are causing you discomfort. In particular, seek medical attention immediately if your hands are swollen, bleeding, have a honey-colored crust on any cracks, or if you see red streaks moving up your arm.

How to get rid of dry skin?

For dry work like gardening, try wearing cloth gloves. Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends taking care of your skin with adjustments to your daily routine. 2  Less time in the sun, shorter and cooler showers and baths, and drinking a proper amount of liquids can help.

Can super glue be used on a wound?

Part of a group of adhesive chemicals called cyanoacrylates, super glue can be used for very superficial cuts and cracks, according to Reed. While it should never be used for deep wounds and is poisonous if swallowed, super glue “is quick, easy, and stays where you put it,” said Reed.

Can you use super glue on cracks?

It is also recommended that you do not use super glue on a regular basis. She does caution against so-called “liquid bandage” solutions for skin cracks. “Many liquid bandage products contain too much alcohol for patients with skin that is already exceedingly dry; they can make the problem worse.”.

How to heal a cracked hand?

Olive and coconut oil are great natural moisturizers. They can also help to heal any cracks or cuts in your hands due to dryness. Apply a generous amount of olive or coconut oil to your hands. Then, rub in the oil well and let it dry.

What to do if your hands are cracked?

Speak to your doctor about a prescription hand cream . If your dry, cracked hands are really bad and do not get better with over-the-counter remedies, you may need prescription hand cream. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for hand cream to treat the issue. [6]

How to get rid of cracked skin on hands?

Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is great for hydrating your skin and locking in moisture. It can also help to heal cracked skin. Apply a generous amount of vaseline on your hands and let the vaseline dry. Put more vaseline on your hands, as needed, to keep them soft and hydrated.

How to keep hands soft and hydrated?

Put more vaseline on your hands, as needed, to keep them soft and hydrated. If your hands are really cracked and dry, apply the vaseline on and then put plastic bags or cloth gloves on your hands. Leave the bags or gloves on overnight. You should wake up with softer hands.

How to make your hands hydrated?

The amino acids and silica in oats are good for hydrating your skin. Combine one part milk with one part rolled oats in a bowl big enough to fit your hands. Then, place your hands in the milk and oats .

How to lock in oil?

If you want to lock the moisture of the oil into your skin, put small plastic bags over your hands once the oil has been applied. Clean wool socks or cloth gloves would also work well. Keep them on for 30 minutes or overnight. Doing this will lock the moisture of the oil into your hands as the oil dries.

How to get rid of dry cracked hands?

Keep these gloves in a plastic bag as you will use them over and over if you have to deal with dry, cracked, irritated hands often. Speak to your doctor about a prescription hand cream. If your dry, cracked hands are really bad and do not get better with over-the-counter remedies, you may need prescription hand cream.