How to heal dry cracked hands that happened due to the cold in winter? Natural solutions that you can make at your home are what you need!
Cold cracked hands are a common winter condition. Like any other part of the body exposed to low temperatures, the hands suffer the inclement weather. Find out how to heal dry cracked hands at home in his article.
Cold cracked hands bother, irritate and hurt. When the winter weather makes the skin feel rigorous, the hands are one of the first affected due to their constant exposure. We use our hands for many activities and we cannot always wear gloves while we use them.
The hands are covered by skin, and it is actually this tissue that cracks. The skin of the hands has some hair follicles in its dorsal part with little fat production. The back of the hands has few elements of protection against the cold and is dehydrated more easily.
Different is the situation with the palms of the hands, which have more tools to defend against the weather. In addition, there is more sweat production, which allows regulating the temperature.
The hands become cracked because the weather tends to be dry, dehydrating the cells. A dry dermis breaks in its cell junctions and shows signs of cracking outside.
Causes
The cold is not the only reason behind cracked hands. A common cause is the sudden change in temperature. We stay in heated internal environments, and when we leave outside the house or work, our skin suffers a thermal shock. This change from heat to cold does not benefit the dermis.
In addition, cold is associated with dryness. However, it may happen that we wash our hands frequently believing that we hydrate the skin. However, this is not always the case. On the contrary, humidity can be counterproductive with the cold of the environment, increasing cracks.
A sudden change of weather, as well as contact with some irritants, can cause excessive dryness of the hands and cracks.
There are products that we use at home or work that generate cracked hands, beyond the cold. These products are irritating substances that contribute to the symptom we are describing. We can mention detergents, insecticides, lime and some soaps. Regarding the latter, versions have been developed that protect from cracking instead of making it worse, such as surfactant soaps.
Pre-existing diseases are also a factor in cracking, especially dermatological and autoimmune diseases. People with psoriasis report with each winter that their symptoms get worse. Other hormonal conditions, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes, affect the skin.
How to heal dry cracked hands?
Not everything is lost in winter. There are certain measures that we can apply to prevent cold cracked hands. Some of them are:
Wash with warm water: hands should be washed unfailingly. It is best to do it with water that is neither cold nor hot.
Wear gloves: when possible, protect your hands with gloves, both for the weather and for irritants. It is important that the skin does not come into direct contact with toxic substances and that the fingers are kept at a warm temperature.
Moisturize with creams: not all creams are useful for hands in winter. It is advisable to use those that are specifically formulated to moisturize dry skin, with some compound derived from oats. The application of the compound should not be limited only to the skin, but to extend it to the nails.
During the winter season it is important to protect your hands with gloves. In addition, whenever possible, it is convenient to wash them with warm water.
Useful homemade preparations
As it is not a pathology that should be treated with medications, but with measures and habits, there are homemade preparations that we can recommend to promote your relief. These formulas basically seek to improve skin hydration and use non-irritating substances.
Among the useful homemade preparations are:
- Vaseline: simply use it alone, without aggregates. Vaseline is able to form an insulating barrier to the skin that prevents cold from entering. Apply it once a week.
- Wheat: warm wheat bran is another beneficial product for the skin of the hands. Boil some water and put the wheat bran in it. The place the hands there repeatedly.
- Honey: honey has many beneficial properties for the skin. For the case we are dealing with, we know that it can form an insulating layer on the hands. In order not to apply it directly, it is usually mixed with butter. The problem with this preparation is that it stains what we are touching. Therefore, perform the treatment at times when you do not have to use your hands for other activities.
- Egg: the egg yolk is a natural moisturizer. Beat it directly and place it for ten or twenty minutes on the hands. The realization of this hydration three times a week is more than enough to combat the cracking of the hands by the cold.
Conclusion
The cold times meet the necessary conditions to dry the skin of the hands and increase its cracking. To avoid this, it is convenient to cover your hands whenever possible. In addition, you can rely on some natural products that help you moisturize them.
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