In cases of chronic dryness of the hands, skin may become thickened and crack. The cracks in the skin can be painful and may worsen if the fissures are not treated. Cracked skin can result from dryness caused by environmental factors, skin conditions and diseases. If you developed cracked skin on a regular basis, speak to your doctor about diagnosing and treating the underlying cause. To ease the discomfort of cracked hands, you can prepare a home remedy.
Step 1
Fill a basin with lukewarm water. Hot water can worsen the dry skin on the hands and actually deplete the area of moisture.
Step 2
Add one cup of mineral oil to the basin of warm water. For a fresh smell, you can use lemon oil. Stir the mixture for several minutes.
Step 3
Place your hands inside the mineral oil and warm water concoction. Soak the cracked hands for as long as 20 minutes to soften the skin and heal the cracked area. Dry your hands completely once removed from the soak.
Step 4
Massage a small amount of Crisco into the cracked hands. The Crisco seals in moisture and prevents future water loss. Use only a very small amount to avoid making your hands feel greasy.
Step 5
Place a small amount of lip balm on the cracks found on your hands on a daily basis. The ingredients used to relieve dry and cracked lips can be effective on the hands as well. Move the balm over the cracks in a thin and even layer. Some brand examples include Chap Stick and Blistex.
Step 6
Exfoliate the skin on the dry and cracked hands on a weekly basis. Add a cup of uncooked oats to your blender and mix until you have a fine powder. Empty the powder into a bowl. Rub your hands in the mixture to get rid of any dead skin cells.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember to keep your hands well moisturized while treating cracked hands at home. After each time that you wash your hands, massage in a small amount of hand cream. At night, apply a generous amount of hand cream or skin oil, and cover your hands with gloves. Remove the gloves when you wake up the next morning. Getting into the habit of regularly moisturizing your hands can prevent future incidences of cracked skin.
- Watch for any oozing or pain at the site of the cracks on the hands. This can be a sign of an infection and requires treatment from a doctor.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup mineral oil
- Basin
- Warm water
- Crisco
- Lip balm
- 1 cup oats
- Blender
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