How to care for dry and cracked hands

　　As the climate turns cooler in autumn and winter, air humidity drops sharply, and hands are frequently exposed to water, detergent or outdoor cold air. Many people will find that the skin on their palms and fingertips becomes rough and flaky. In severe cases, cracks of varying depths will appear, and it will sting unbearably when wet or clenched. These problems not only affect daily activities but can also lead to infections. Many people are concerned: How to care for dry and cracked hands?

How to care for dry and cracked hands

　　1. Gentle cleaning and protective barrier

　　Avoid washing hands with overheated water. The water temperature should be 37-40°C, and the hand washing time should be controlled within 1 minute each time. Choose a soap-free, mildly acidic hand sanitizer to reduce damage to the skin's oil layer. After washing your hands, gently press with a clean soft towel to absorb the moisture and avoid rubbing the skin with force.

　　2. Physical protection reduces irritation

　　When doing housework or handling detergents, be sure to wear waterproof rubber gloves to protect against chemical irritation. When traveling outdoors, wear warm gloves to prevent cold air from directly attacking the skin of your hands. When choosing gloves, pay attention to the soft lining to avoid friction from rough materials and aggravating damage.

　　3. Local repair promotes healing

　　If there is slight bleeding in the crack, you can first clean the wound with normal saline. After it is dry, apply an ointment containing polymyxin B to prevent infection, and then cover it with sterile gauze for protection. Avoid tearing the dead skin at will to prevent the wound from expanding.

What should you be wary of if your hands are dry and cracked?

　　1. Tinea manuum

　　If the cracking is accompanied by peeling, blisters, and itching, and the condition occurs first on one side of the hand, it may be tinea manuum. Fungi can destroy the skin barrier, so you need to seek medical attention promptly and use antifungal ointments under the guidance of a doctor to avoid aggravating the condition with self-administered hormone drugs.

　　2. Chronic eczema

　　If dryness and cracking of the hands occur repeatedly, accompanied by erythema, papules, and symmetrical distribution, it may be chronic eczema. This kind of situation is related to allergies and immunity. It is necessary to check for allergens and use anti-inflammatory and moisturizing compound ointments under the guidance of a doctor.

　　3. Diabetes complications

　　If diabetic patients have dry and cracked hands that are difficult to heal, they need to be alert to peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar will affect the blood circulation and repair ability of the skin. Blood sugar should be monitored in time and hand care should be strengthened to avoid serious infection.

　　Hand care requires long-term persistence and daily cleaning, moisturizing and protection. Most dryness and cracking problems can be gradually improved. If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks without relief, or infection or severe pain occurs, you should seek medical treatment promptly to identify the cause and receive targeted treatment.