Dry skin on the hands is a common problem that almost everyone has experienced at one time or another. It's usually temporary and with minor changes in your moisturizing routine, dry skin can generally be treated and avoided fairly easy.
Identification
Extremely dry skin on the hands often has thick and rough spots that have an increased risk of painful cracks. If the skin cracks, it may bleed. The skin may feel tight and have fine lines, cracks, redness and scales visibly present. The hands may also peel or flake.
Causes
As we age, it becomes more difficult for your skin to retain moisture, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology website. Dry skin and winter months often go hand-in-hand because central heat removes moisture from the inside air and there is little humidity outside. States, such as Arizona, have low humidity all year round, so dry skin could occur more frequently. Since the hands are readily exposed to the environment, they often suffer the consequences. Other factors that cause dry hands are frequent hand washing, hot baths and hot showers, since these activities remove protective oils from the skin's surface.
Treatment
The best treatment for extremely dry hands is to apply an ointment, such as petroleum jelly or an ointment specially made for dry hands, regularly. A thick hand cream also will absorb into the skin and treat dry skin effectively if you apply it regularly throughout the day; then you can use a thicker ointment while sleeping. If your hands are extremely dry, wear a pair of cotton gloves over an extra thick application of the ointment while you sleep. According to the University of Iowa, be cautious using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or itch suppressants, since these products can irritate dry skin.
Prevention
To keep moisture in the air, always use a humidifier during months when humidity is low. Limit your showers or baths to ten minutes or less and use lukewarm water instead of hot water. Do not limit the amount of times you wash your hands, since hand washing protects you against viral and bacterial infections; however, be sure to apply moisturizer while your hands are still moist. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, moisturizer should be applied within three minutes of bathing or hand washing to seal in moisture.
Considerations
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, when choosing a moisturizer to treat your dry skin, remember that water-based lotions are meant for cosmetic purposes and oil based creams are more beneficial for trapping moisture into the skin. If you apply a product to your hands and they begin burning or itching, discontinue its use. If your hands are cracking to the point of bleeding or are interfering with your daily activities, contact a dermatologist for assistance.
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