Do you worry about having dry, cracked skin on your fingertips? It can be quite an uncomfortable condition to deal with, which can become so serious that it keeps you from using your hands properly. You may even develop an infection if the crack bleeds. It is therefore important to take steps to help treat dry fingertips. The good thing is that you can use several home remedies to make things better.
What Causes It?
So many factors contribute to dry fingertips, and some of them are mentioned below.
1. Weather
Dry weather can cause your fingertips to become very dry. This is usually more common in the winter months. To avoid cold weather, many people decide to stay inside, but the dryness caused by heating systems can also aggravate the whole condition.
2. Eczema
Characterized by itchy rashes, eczema is a chronic condition that can make your fingers become dry and cracked. Sometimes, the skin even oozes pus and you end up developing an infection when you do not stop scratching those affected areas. Wool gloves and certain clothing can make your eczema worse.
3. Allergies
You may develop dry, cracked fingers when you are allergic to nickel, talc or latex. In this case, you have to avoid exposing your fingers to these materials. Many people develop dry fingertips because they wear latex gloves. Switch to latex-free clothing items to see if your condition improves.
4. Other Causes
- You may be dehydrated. Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration that can make your skin become dry and irritated.
- You expose your hands to harsh chemicals. If you have to deal with disinfectants and harsh cleaning chemicals all the time, you are likely to develop dry skin.
- You are deficient in vitamin A. Not getting enough vitamin A from food can also lead to dry skin. Include carrots, fortified cereal, papaya, pumpkin, fortified milk, and squash to your diet to get more vitamin A.
- You may have an underlying condition. Your dry skin may indicate a problem with your immune system or it could be the result of an infection or psoriasis.
Home Remedies to Help
If you are currently dealing with dry, cracked skin, you may benefit from several home remedies. It is important to identify the underlying cause to be able to determine the best treatment option, but the following remedies may offer some relief.
1. Soak Your Hands in Warm Water
A warm water soak can help improve your skin condition. All you have to do is take some warm water and soak your fingers in it for about 10 minutes. This will help soften up the skin around your nails. To get better results, consider soaking your fingertips in a mixture of lemon juice, honey and warm water. Be sure to dry your hand properly after the soak and do not forget to apply some moisturizer.
2. Use Cucumber
Cucumber can help treat your peeling fingertips because it has moisturizing properties and accelerates healing. Take a fresh cucumber and cut it into slices. Rub these slices on your fingertips for a few minutes. Ensure that the juice has penetrated into your skin to produce good effects.
3. Make Use of Oats
Just like cucumber, oats can also be used to treat your cracked fingertips. Oats can help remove dead skin cells and make your skin smooth again. Take a large bowl and add a handful of powdered oats to it. Add some warm water to it and soak your fingers in it. Wash your hands after 15 minutes using clean water. Use a soft cotton towel to dry your hands and then finish by applying your moisturizer. Do it once before going to bed.
4. Try Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help treat a number of skin problems mainly because it has moisturizing properties. It penetrates into your skin quickly and that is because it has medium chain fatty acids. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it keeps infections at bay. Simply take some coconut oil and apply it on your fingertips. Do it several times a day to get good results.
5. Opt for Aloe Vera
Pure aloe vera can also be used to improve your skin condition. It has soothing properties and moisturizes your skin at the same time. It also has antibacterial properties and is effective against infections. Take an aloe vera leaf and extract its gel. Apply it directly to the affected area several times a day. It may also help to drink 2 tbsp. of aloe vera juice.
6. Take Advantage of Honey
With its strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, honey works great to keep infections at bay. It also has moisturizing properties and is an amazing remedy for dry fingertips. Simply add some honey to warm milk and apply it to the affected area several times a day. You can also add honey to milk and drink it for relief.
7. Treat Your Fingers with Mint Juice
Mint juice can have a refreshing effect on your fingertips. It moisturizes your skin naturally and prevents dry hands. It may also help improve your skin affected by eczema or another skin condition.