What Causes Cracked Skin On The Fingertips?
Although peeling or cracked skin on the fingertips is not much of a concern, it might have painful consequences. A number of factors could cause the skin on your fingertips to peel off. They are:
Dry skin, especially during winters Repetitive washing of hands Use of soaps and other products with harsh chemicals Sunburn (it is often followed by dry and peeling skin a few days after the first burn) Dry, hot, and cold weather Sucking on the thumb Chopping vegetables Contact with detergents
Peeling and cracked skin may also be due to some underlying medical conditions like:
Allergies: If your skin comes in contact with an allergen, it may begin to peel. Niacin (or Vitamin B3) deficiency. Vitamin A toxicity: Consuming too much vitamin A may also cause your skin to crack and peel. Hand eczema: Genetics, as well as exposure to certain chemicals, can cause hand eczema. Psoriasis: A skin disorder that may appear as silver plaques or lesions on your skin. Exfoliative keratolysis: A skin condition that causes blisters, which may later begin to peel. Kawasaki disease: A rare disease that usually affects children under 5 years of age.
Let us now learn how to deal with this condition using natural remedies.
How To Heal Cracked Fingertips At Home
Home Remedies For Cracked Fingertips
1. Vaseline
Vaseline (as required) Take some Vaseline and apply it gently to your fingers and hands. You can do this a couple of times daily, especially when your hands begin to turn dry. Vaseline is also referred to as petroleum jelly. In addition to instantly moisturizing your dry and cracked fingertips, it forms a layer on your skin and protects it from further infection (1).
2. Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax Gloves
You can do this once every week or two. Paraffin wax has emollient properties that keep your hands soft and supple. It also traps moisture and helps in getting rid of dead skin cells (2).
3. Epsom Salt
1/2 cup of Epsom salt Water (as required)
You can do this thrice a week. Epsom salt is widely used for soothing and rejuvenating the skin. Soaking your hands in an Epsom salt solution can help in the removal of dead skin cells from your skin, thereby helping treat cracked fingertips (3).
4. Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon of coconut oil You can do this once daily, preferably after taking a bath. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have excellent emollient and moisturizing properties, which help soothe the dry and cracked skin around your fingertips (4). Additionally, the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil protect your skin from infections (5), (6).
5. Tea Tree Oil
2-3 drops of tea tree oil 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil
You must do this at least once daily, before going to bed. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic with excellent antimicrobial properties (7). Hence, it can speed up the healing of cracked skin and protect it from microbial infections. Do not use tea tree oil without diluting it in any carrier oil as it might cause irritation.
6. Castor Oil
Castor oil (as required) You must do this at least once daily. Castor oil is a rich source of ricinoleic acid and vitamin E. These nutrients impart amazing emollient and healing properties to it that can help heal your skin. The oil can also keep your hands soft and moisturized for a long time (8).
7. Diaper Cream
Diaper cream (as required) Apply diaper cream to your hands before going to bed and leave it on overnight. You must do this once daily, before going to bed. Your baby’s diaper cream that is used to prevent rashes can also be used to heal the dry and chapped skin on your fingertips. This is mainly because most diaper creams contain zinc. Zinc not only helps in healing cracked skin but also softens the skin with its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (9),(10).
8. Flaxseed Oil
A few drops of flaxseed oil You can do this 1 to 2 times daily. Flaxseed oil is derived from the flax plant. It contains fatty acids that heal dry skin and keep it soft. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseed oil can help reduce inflammation and redness (11).
9. Super Glue
Super glue Put a drop of super glue on the painful cracks on your fingertips and allow it to dry. You must do this once daily, before sleeping. Super glue can be a quick fix to heal cracked fingertips. Just a dab of it will keep your skin covered (12). However, some glues may be made of ingredients that can irritate your skin. So, make sure you look at the packaging before going ahead with this remedy.
10. Liquid Bandage
Liquid bandages You must do this once every 1 or 2 days. A liquid bandage forms a polymeric layer that binds to the cracked fingertip. This locks the moisture in your skin and protects it from dirt and microbial infections, thereby helping your cracked skin heal faster (13).
11. Gloves
Hand moisturizing gloves Petroleum jelly (optional)
Wear these gloves daily for faster results. Gloves help lock in the moisture in your hands and protect them from the harsh weather outside during winters. Moisturizing gloves are also available that keep your hands moisturized for most of the day and aid quick healing of dry and peeling skin.
12. Chapstick
Non-flavored chapstick Apply a thick layer of chapstick to your cracked fingertips. You can do this multiple times daily, almost as many times as you apply it to your lips. Most chapsticks contain emollient and moisturizing components like beeswax, camphor, and vitamin E. These ingredients possess excellent healing and softening properties, and are hence one of the best options to heal chapped skin, including that on your fingertips (14).
13. Flexitol
Flexitol Apply flexitol to the affected areas. Do this twice daily. Flexitol is a concentrated moisturizer and exfoliator that can help in keeping your skin soft. Regular application can also help in getting rid of cracked fingertips. Flexitol is antifungal and can thus protect your chapped fingers from microbial infections as well. For most people, cracked and peeling skin is mostly a result of weather changes. If it is that time of the year again when your skin has begun to turn dry, you can take the following precautions.
Tips To Prevent Cracked Fingertips
During cold weather, try and cover your hands whenever you go outside. Always keep your hands and feet moisturized. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Use warm (not hot) water to wash your hands. Do not use harsh soaps – instead, opt for mild moisturizing ones. Try not to use sanitizers as they tend to dry out your skin. Use a humidifier inside your home. Do not over-wash your hands.
Mild symptoms associated with the condition can be easily treated with the above tips and remedies. Nonetheless, if your symptoms turn severe, and you experience severe pain or bleeding, you must visit your doctor immediately as this could be a result of some underlying medical condition. How do you heal cracked hands overnight? Apply a thick layer of a cream, gel or lotion with ingredients such as wax, petroleum jelly or shea butter before going to bed to improve cracked hands overnight. Is salt good for cracked fingers? Salt as a mild natural exfoliant that can help clean up dead and flaky skin on cracked fingers. It is important to apply it in combination with natural oils suitable for the skin and not by itself. Is Vicks good for cracked fingers? Yes, Vicks may help heal cracked fingers as it contains a petroleum jelly base, which acts as an emollient and moisturizer. Is olive oil good for cracked fingers? Yes, olive oil is a natural skin moisturizer.
