Dry and cracked are palms are not usually caused by a serious condition. Instead, dry hands may occur from washing them too much, dry weather, harsh soaps or psoriasis. In some cases, however, cracked hands may be caused by hypothyroidism. See your doctor to determine the cause of your cracked hands and to get the best treatment option for your particular condition. If your doctor approves, you can use over-the-counter or prescription creams to heal your cracked hands.
Over-the-Counter Creams
For mild cases of dry, cracked skin, the Mayo Clinic recommends slathering the afflicted area with an over-the-counter moisturizer. Creams that are thicker will stay on the skin longer than creams that are thin and runny. Apply an over-the-counter moisturizer immediately after taking a bath or shower. Blot the skin with a towel to remove some water, but do not dry yourself off completely. Then, apply a thick moisturizer to trap as much moisture as possible inside the skin, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Petroleum Jelly
For palms and hands that are particularly cracked, apply a layer of petroleum jelly after soaking the skin in warm water for several minutes, says William Van Pelt, D.P.M., former president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Before bed, slather the hands in petroleum jelly, then put on a pair of cotton gloves. Sleep with the gloves and petroleum jelly on your hands for soft, smooth and hydrated hands the next morning.
Hydrocortisone Creams
The Mayo Clinic recommends using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for dry, itching palms. In some cases, dry skin may lead to dermatitis, a condition that causes redness and itching. The more you scratch your dry, itchy hands, the drier and more itchy they will become. To break the cycle, apply a generous amount of hydrocortisone cream to the hands after bathing. If an over-the-counter cream is ineffective, consult a dermatologist, who can prescribe a stronger, prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream.
Member Comments
SeanRH January 19
I se a product called LipoHydroDerm, it is over the counter and it works really fast. I haven't found anything else that gets rid of the cracks in my hands and fingers this quick.