What to do if skin cracks on the fingers

The problem of dry skin of hands is familiar to many. Fabrics brushes are very thin and vulnerable, while they are constantly exposed to adverse environmental factors. Cracks in the skin of the fingers - this is not only a cosmetic problem. Pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate through the damaged epithelium into the tissue, causing infectious inflammation. Why does this problem arise and how to cope with it?

Histological structure of the skin of the hands

In order to understand how the skin cracks, you need to know what it is. The surface layer of the skin is called the epidermis. It consists of epithelium. The cells of this tissue are very close to each other. Their lower layer is located on a dense connective tissue plate - the basement membrane.

The epidermis of the skin of the palms, feet and fingers is much thicker than that found on other parts of the body. It contains an extra layer called brilliant. All this is necessary in order to prevent skin damage in places where it is most susceptible to mechanical stress.

The epidermis is a barrier between the environment and the internal tissues of the body. Under this layer lies the dermis. It contains vessels and nerves that feed and innervate all other layers of the skin. Feeding fingers and toes is worse than other parts of the body. Under the dermis is the hypodermis. It consists of subcutaneous fatty tissue, but on the hand it is poorly developed.

Crack is primarily damage to the epidermis. If blood is released from the wound, the dermis is also damaged. Such cracks are dangerous in that they can heal by secondary intention with the formation of deforming scars.

Why are cracks in the fingers

This symptom may occur due to both external factors and internal problems of the body. In addition, dry skin can be a sign of some diseases.

External factors affecting the skin:

1. Temperature. Most often, cracks in the skin occur in winter. This problem is related to the fact that low temperature contributes to the spasm of peripheral vessels. The skin of the hands does not receive enough nutrition, it becomes more fragile and cracks.
2. Air humidity. Increased moisture content in the air contributes to hypothermia. Under conditions of cold and humid microclimate, the skin of the hands suffers the most.
3. Frequent hand washing. Cleansing the skin is useful because it removes pathogens from its surface. However, to get involved in hygienic procedures are not worth it. First, running tap water contains many impurities and salts that are aggressive to the skin. Secondly, the soap, even the most moisturizing, visibly dries the skin of the hands.
4. Ultraviolet. The sun's rays trigger various biological reactions in the tissues of the body. There is a theory that ultraviolet accelerates aging, because the first woman’s age is exposed to open areas of the body - hands, face and neckline. But this effect is not immediately noticeable, but dryness and cracks may appear after a few hours in the sun.
5. Exposure to chemicals. Washing dishes, floors, windows and other manipulations with aggressive chemicals do not have the best effect on skin condition. In addition, the constant presence in the water also harms the epidermis.
6. Antiseptics. The desire to make their hands sterile can not be called pathology, but the skin suffers from it. All antiseptics contain in its composition alcohol, which is very dry skin. What is the point of periodically destroying microbes, if at the same time the natural barrier that protects them constantly falls?

Internal body problems:

1. Hypovitaminosis. Lack of B vitamins leads to deterioration of the skin, causing cracking. In addition, other symptoms may occur: cheilitis, glossitis, anemia, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, paresthesias.
2. Protein deficiency. Often occurs in girls sitting on strict diets and vegans. The lack of protein causes many pathological processes in the body. However, skin problems occur first.
3. Change hormonal levels. For a normal skin condition requires a healthy hormonal balance. When it vibrates, the state of the tissue suffers.This can be manifested by cracks on the fingers and other parts of the body.
4. Diseases causing skin problems:
5. Mycosis. The fungus often affects the skin of the hands and feet. At the same time on fingers and in interdigital folds cracks, white scurf, erosion and weeping may occur.
6. Eczema. This is a pathology of unknown origin. It manifests itself with various morphological elements on the skin.
7. Scleroderma. A disease of unknown etiology affects the connective tissue of the body. First of all the fingers are affected. The skin is swollen and dense at first, then dry. In the latter stages of the disease, it is compacted so that the arm cannot be closed in a fist.

General rules for hand skin care

In order to preserve the beauty of your hands, you must constantly adhere to a certain skin care scheme. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Moisturizing cream. If the skin is too dry, then you need to choose the fattest of all the possible options. In addition, a layer of cream creates an additional barrier that protects against microorganisms.
2. Baby soap. This is the least aggressive means of hygiene.Replace the usual soap on the baby and wash your hands only with them. The skin condition will improve significantly.
3. Cold protection. In the cold season there should always be gloves or mittens on hands. It is necessary to introduce this rule into your life and always follow it.
4. Sun protection. From May to October, you should always have a cream with a UV filter on your hands. What does not matter, sunny day or overcast. We do not see ultraviolet, but it affects us even through clouds.
5. Cleaning only gloves. It is very important to protect your hands from aggressive chemicals. To do this, choose the most dense rubber gloves. Medical do not fit, they are too thin and contain talc, which also dries the skin.
6. Reasonable disinfection. Antiseptics should be used only if the skin is really contaminated with organic matter containing pathogenic bacteria. To get involved in neutralizing the surface of the hands is not worth it.
7. Use of vitamins. This is especially important in the spring, when hypovitaminosis is widespread. You can use regular multivitamins or buy special, designed for the beauty of the skin, hair and nails.
8. Balanced diet. This is important not only to prevent the occurrence of cracks in the fingers, but also in general to maintain health.
9. Qualified help. In the event that changes in the skin are caused by a disease, it is better to entrust their treatment to a dermatologist.

Special methods of getting rid of cracks on the fingers

There are many different masks and creams at home that will help to cope with the problem. Here are the most effective of them:

1. Vitamins for the skin. Only fat-soluble vitamins penetrate through the epidermis; therefore, for treating cracks, it is worth using oil solutions of vitamins A and E. Mix them in equal proportions and apply on your hands, rub a few minutes, and then leave on the skin for a quarter of an hour. It is worth repeating this procedure daily.
2. Potato mask. It should be mashed in the usual recipe: boil the potatoes, grind, add milk and butter. Then apply the mixture to your hands and wrap with gauze. It is necessary to wash off the mask not earlier than in half an hour.
3. Milk and glycerin. In a bowl of warm milk, add a teaspoon of glycerin and dip your hands in this solution. The duration of this procedure should be at least 30 minutes. Repeat it at least twice a week.
4. Olive oil. Warm it up in a water bath to a pleasant warm temperature, apply a thick layer on the skin of your hands and wear cotton gloves. Oil can be washed off in an hour and a half.
5. Honey and glycerin. Mix in equal proportions liquid honey, glycerin and warm water. Apply the mixture onto hands and hold for half an hour, then rinse.
6. Cereals. It is better to take those that are prepared using boiling water for a few minutes. Crush the flakes, pour boiling water in proportions 1: 1 and wait until the mixture is similar to porridge. Then apply it on your hands, wrap with cling film and wait 20 minutes. After this wrap, you must apply a moisturizer.
7. Coffee grounds. It is used for washing hands instead of soap. This tool really cleans the skin and does not cause it to dry.
8. Sea-buckthorn puree. Fill the berries with boiling water and wait 15 minutes. Then take them out of the water and push them to a mushy consistency.The resulting mass should be applied in the same way as mashed potatoes.

It can be concluded that cracks in the skin of the hands may occur due to various reasons. In some cases, only a dermatologist can cure them, but more often it is enough just to follow the rules of skin care. If the cracks do not pass for a long time, you can use folk remedies to combat them.

Video: how to care for your hands during the cold season