Exposure to cold, environmental influences, or contact with toxic substances can cause cracks in the fingers. Eliminating these causes allows you to get rid of the manifestation of this symptom. But in some cases, cracks in the fingers indicate the presence of pathological processes in the body, resulting from serious diseases.
Cracks in the fingers - probable causes
The condition of the human body can be assessed by the skin, which is a true indicator. In case of any violation, the reaction first appears on the epidermis.
Thus, cracks in the fingers can serve as the first symptoms of the development of certain diseases inside.
There can be several reasons for cracking, where both external and internal factors cannot be excluded.
This occurs due to dehydration of the superficial skin layer, which leads to loss of elasticity.
This happens in the following cases:
- A sharp change in temperature, which has a detrimental effect on the particularly sensitive skin surface around the nails. This refers to hypothermia. External manifestations are more likely to resemble an allergic reaction. If nothing is done urgently, the skin soon begins to burst.
- Poor hand care and lack of protection from external negative influences (wind, frost, hard water, dust). It is important to systematically treat with nourishing creams so that the skin is not dry, and to select clothing according to the season.
- The destructive effects of household products that are constantly used at home (powders, gels, sprays). Their aggressive influence is aggravated in the presence of allergies.
- Damage to the integrity of the skin in combination with harmful external influences and a lack of vitamins.
Diseases that can lead to cracks in the fingers:
- dermatological (psoriasis, dermatitis, neurodermatitis, eczema);
- infectious (fungal, pyococcal);
- vitamin deficiency (deficiency of vitamins A and B, magnesium, fatty acids);
- endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism);
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, cholecystitis, duodenitis);
- neurological disorders (neurosis, depression);
- helminth damage.
Preventive measures
The appearance of cracks can be avoided by following a number of simple rules.
- When washing, use only soft water; if necessary, regular, hard water should be softened. Use mild soap. Dry your hands thoroughly after washing, especially paying attention to the space between your fingers. Don't forget to regularly lubricate your skin with nourishing cream.
- When using household chemicals, do not forget to wear protective gloves. They should also be worn while working in the garden, while cleaning the apartment or making repairs.
Don't forget to wear gloves. When it's cold, your hands should be kept warm.
Pay special attention to your hands in cold weather.- in a timely manner , do not delay visiting a doctor if even minor symptoms bother you.
- Follow a proper diet and regularly take a complex of vitamins, based on your gender and age. The menu should be as varied as possible, rich in vegetables, fruits, and protein products.
Cracks give your hands an unkempt appearance. They cause pain and discomfort to a person. Wounds can appear as a result of internal and external causes.
In the first case, the person will have to undergo complex treatment. In the second situation, it is enough to follow preventive measures by regularly caring for the skin of your hands.
Where do cracks typically occur?
Cracks may not necessarily appear near the nails, as shown in the photo.
In the most difficult cases, the skin begins to burst in the folds of the palm, between the fingers and on the folds, near the phalanges, and on the soft tissues of the pads.
The areas where the fingers bend are the most affected. There, the affected surface layer of skin is more thin and breaks at the slightest tension.
Such wounds take a long and painful time to heal. But calluses often form on pillows, which crack over time.
This is a standard situation with eczema. Psoriasis is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the epidermis on the palms.
In case of a lack of vitamins and minerals, external symptoms appear in the area around the nail plates.
What causes the skin on a child's fingers to crack?
Parents often note the appearance of cracks in their child’s fingers and toes, which causes not only discomfort, but also very painful sensations.
In this regard, emergency measures must be taken, since infection can penetrate through open wounds and the process of rotting can begin.
In order to select a productive treatment and quickly eliminate the disease, you need to understand the possible causes.
In addition to the same provoking diseases as in adults, these may be:
- trophic changes in skin processes, which are associated with nutritional deficiencies in animal protein;
- impaired blood circulation resulting from systematic wearing of compressive shoes;
- vitamin deficiency, causing disturbances in metabolic processes;
- fungal skin lesions (in addition to cracks, there is excessive peeling of the skin with separation of scales).
The therapeutic approach for children is chosen depending on the primary source of the development of the pathology. To identify it, you should first consult a doctor.
Associated symptoms
What disease has affected the body can only be determined by a doctor. But every person can observe themselves and understand the causes of pathology.
- Itching and cracking of the palms can occur due to stress. But stress can also be a disruption at the hormonal level. Treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor after determining the cause.
- With hypothyroidism, cracks first appear on the elbows and knees, then it comes to the hands.
- With diabetes, the wounds that appear do not heal for a long time. We need to pay attention to this.
- Pellagra covers the hands with an unusual crust.
- Sjögren's syndrome is manifested not only by cracks in the hands, but also by dry eyes, itching, pain, and photophobia. In this case, cracks appear on the lips, joints and kidneys begin to ache.
What to do if associated symptoms are detected? Don’t wait for the disease to get old; consult a doctor. He will prescribe blood, urine and allergy tests and prescribe treatment.
Question answer
For severe pain caused by too deep cracks, medical glue BF-6 (sold in pharmacies) can bring relief. Do not be afraid to use it, as the product is absolutely safe and effective. It is enough to apply a few drops to the gap and after a short wait until the composition hardens, you can continue to do your usual business. Such fixation promotes rapid healing and at the same time protects against infection. After 6-7 days of using the glue, they switch to nourishing creams.
First of all, this is a violation of the integrity of the skin, as a result, it is easy for infections to penetrate, and you can encounter an inflammatory process. If an infection occurs and enters the bloodstream, internal organs may be damaged.
Be sure to wear gloves when doing housework (washing dishes, washing the bathroom, etc.). If you start a renovation, also don’t forget to protect your handles. The same gloves are suitable for this. Do not forget about gloves in winter and autumn, treat diseases in a timely manner, and make sure that the proper amount of vitamins enters the body. Apply cream systematically to your hands.
What cream will help with cracked fingers?
The first remedy in the fight against skin damage is a properly selected cream. The product should eliminate dryness, nourish the skin, and protect from harmful influences. Creams are divided into two categories: pharmaceutical and cosmetic.
Medicines are an ointment with medicinal substances:
- Bepanten
- effective ointment No. 1 for rapid healing of wounds. Contains dexpanthenol, which stimulates active restoration of the epidermis. - Solcoseryl
- an ointment containing an extract from the blood of calves. Saturates cells with oxygen, stimulates metabolism. - Balm "Ambulance"
— contains plant extracts, disinfects, anesthetizes the wound, accelerates healing. - Vitamin-containing medicines
for external use: Radevit with vitamins A, E, D3, Aekol with vitamins A, E, K and carotene. - Actovegin ointment
: in composition and mechanism of action it is similar to Solcoseryl. - Balm “Rescuer”
, containing liposomal-emulsion complex No. 6. Its advantage is that it penetrates deeply into the cells and does not irritate the skin.
You can apply cosmetic hand creams several times a day. There are many inexpensive but effective products in this category: “Vitamin-Vaseline” cream, “Velor Chic”, “Velvet Handles”. You need to choose the cream whose tube says that it is intended for dry skin and performs the function of nutrition and protection.
What do you do first?
Preventive and therapeutic measures regarding cracks in the fingers should begin with basic care actions. It is recommended to get used to the following:
- Wear gloves before starting work in the garden or cleaning the house using household chemicals.
- Protect your hands when going outside in frosty or windy weather by treating them with silicone cream.
- Wash your hands exclusively with non-alkaline soap.
- Regularly apply nourishing products to the skin of your hands.
- Rebuild your nutritional diet by adding more healthy foods.
- In the autumn-winter period, drink vitamin and mineral complexes.
If you read women’s statements about this problem on forums, you will notice a certain pattern.
Thus, ladies over 40 years of age are more susceptible to cracking of the skin on their hands. This is due to the restructuring of the body due to age, which negatively affects the epidermis - it becomes thinner, dries out and becomes vulnerable.
Women of Balzac age are advised not to neglect daily procedures for nourishing and moisturizing their hands.
To do this, they use a different approach: ointments, masks, herbal baths. Much of this is easy to prepare at home.
How often should you wash your hands if your skin gets dry and cracked?
The question is not such a joke, because winter is not only climate aggression for the hands. With the cold seasons, viral diseases attack humanity, and all hygienists strongly advise frequent hand washing. Everyone has experienced how this frequent hand washing with soap dries out, when the surface protective layer of the skin of the hands is washed off and thinned, which in some cases leads to peeling and cracking if you do not choose a soft soap-cream in a timely manner, and immediately after contact Apply moisturizing hand cream with winter protection to towel-dried hands with water.
If for some reason it is impossible to avoid frequent hand hygiene, then it is better to resort to wet wipes or use a completely affordable special gel for hand disinfection. And although they contain alcohol, it will cause much less harm than frequent washing, even with mild soap or gel. Washing dishes with hot water, accompanied by sudden changes to cold, is especially critical for the skin of your hands. To protect your hands from frequent washing, you need to use rubber or cotton gloves - you need to come to terms with this and make it a strict, non-alternative habit. It's like learning to sew with a thimble: at first you can't with it, then you can't without it.
Drug therapy
Only well-chosen treatment guarantees a speedy recovery. It is for this reason that it is necessary to first find out what caused the cracks in the fingers.
The first thing a dermatologist prescribes when a patient presents with such a problem is scraping the skin on the affected areas.
This will rule out mycosis or mycelium (fungus). If a positive result comes, then antifungal drugs are prescribed.
In case of minor damage near the nails or on the pads, it is acceptable to use universal pharmaceutical ointments or balms containing emollient and anti-inflammatory components. Herbal creams also help.
The most effective creamy formulations:
- "Boro+";
- "Rilana";
- "Green Pharmacy";
- "Bioderma";
- "Rescuer";
- ichthyol ointment;
- "Pantoderm";
- "The keeper";
- "Miramistin".
According to the degree of impact on the skin, all products to combat drying and flaking are divided into 3 categories:
- strong;
- moderate;
- weak.
In case of serious complications, the drug should be prescribed by a specialist. In particularly advanced cases, potent medications are prescribed:
- Antiseptics in combination with wound healing agents
- Antibiotics (for bacterial infection).
- Medicines that stimulate metabolic processes in tissues (Actovegin, Methyluracil)
- Corticosteroid ointments (Flucinar, Fluorocort, Prednisolone ointment) and emulsions with active ingredients (aloe, tar, grease).
If a child's skin peels, creams are selected according to age.
Use of folk remedies
If the skin on your hands is rough and begins to burst in some places, but the cracks are not deep, then folk remedies will help.
Universal options to improve the condition of the skin, which are applied in the form of a mask:
- almond oil is mixed with oily vitamin E (bought at the pharmacy);
- crush banana fruit;
- combine coconut oil and cocoa;
- mix 1 egg yolk and 20-25 g of natural honey;
- combine pure yogurt with lemon juice;
- massage the hands using any vegetable oil or rich sour cream;
- Dry the plantain leaves in the oven and grind them, then add Vaseline until a thick consistency is obtained.
To soften the epidermis, you can wrap your hands with a piece of cloth soaked in cedar oil. Keep it on for half an hour and remove it.
How to prepare your own medicinal ointment for healing superficial cracks:
- Measure out 1 tbsp. a spoonful of chamomile flowers, calendula and plantain leaves. The raw materials must be dried.
- Steam the mixture with boiling water and place in a water bath. Keep it over steam for 25-30 minutes.
- After this, remove and filter.
- Add 30 g of honey and the same amount of butter to the resulting broth. Mix thoroughly.
The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator. Apply every day before bed and wear cotton gloves.
For cracking of the epidermis on the fingers near the nails and on soft tissues, a nourishing potato mask with a regenerating effect helps well.
To prepare it you will need:
- mashed potatoes – 1 glass;
- sour cream – 1-2 tbsp. l.;
- chamomile (burdock) oil – 1 tsp.
Mix everything and place the brushes in the prepared mixture for 15 minutes. This composition not only promotes rapid healing of damage, but also makes the skin softer.
The most effective treatment recipes for children, depending on the cause, are presented in the table:
| Purpose | Provoking diseases |
| Lubricate with a mixture of liquid glycerin and tea tree oil (take a ratio of 4:1). | Fungal infection |
| Use slightly heated olive oil. | Contact dermatitis |
| Marigolds and chamomile (40-45 g each) are poured with boiling water (400 ml). Add 1 liter of slightly warmed water. Hands are immersed for 20-25 minutes. After this, wipe dry and apply sea buckthorn oil. | Poor circulation |
Treatment of cracks from the inside
Often the problem occurs due to a lack of vitamins. Onions eaten at night can help. Course - 7 days.
An excellent remedy is gelatin elixir: soak 1 tsp in 100 ml of water. gelatin and drink. Prepare this elixir morning and evening for 1 month. In addition to treating deep grooves on your hands, you will heal your joints.
Excellent carrot porridge, which should be eaten within 1 month. Wash 1 kg of carrots, grate them, pour in vegetable oil so that it covers all the carrots.
Heat the mixture, but do not boil, then simmer for at least 3 hours. Transfer to jars and refrigerate. You should eat it within a month. Carrots contain vitamin A, which promotes wound healing.
Hand baths
Baths will bring no less benefits:
- 40 g of potato starch per 500 ml of warm boiled water;
- 100-120 g of oat bran are pre-boiled and left for 10 hours, filtered;
- mix milk and water (500 ml each) in equal proportions, add corn starch (50 g) and glycerin (4 drops);
- starch (1 tbsp) and vegetable oil (2 tbsp) are added to the potato decoction.
Immerse hands in a medicinal bath for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, wipe dry and lubricate with moisturizer.
Deep tears that cannot be treated at home are recommended to be shown to a dermatologist.
Such disorders can be caused by fungal or infectious infections, and therefore require a special approach. In such situations, it is unacceptable to resort to self-medication, which can cause serious harm to health.
Nutrition for cracked fingers
If damage appears on the thumb in the corners of the pads near the nails, this indicates a lack of nutrients. This may be accompanied by brittle nails and hair loss. Eating the following products will help heal cracks:
- eggs;
- nuts;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- fatty dairy products;
- legumes;
- greenery;
- beef;
- vegetables;
- cereals
General and specialized vitamin and mineral complexes designed to improve the condition of skin, hair and nails should be added to the diet. These include:
- Merz special dragee;
- Lady-S Formula;
- Evalar “Beauty from within”;
- Doppelgerz Beauty Biotin;
- Solgar "Skin, hair, nails."
Complex vitamin and mineral supplements also help improve skin condition and strengthen the immune system. For men, the pharmacy sells separate drugs: Alphabet for men, Men-s formula “Active Day”, Duovit for men.
Expert opinion
- Cosmetologist
- Surgeon
Anna Avaliani
practicing cosmetologist
The situation gets worse if cracks on the fingers near the nails appear due to some internal malfunction in the body. Then it is advisable to carry out complex and long-term treatment, since universal external preparations are not effective. In case of serious health problems, the localization of the lesion spreads to other places: palm, interdigital space, pads.
Aisha Baron
Compositions used to treat hands
- Mix equal parts medical alcohol and glycerin, shake well, lubricate your hands morning and evening.
- A mixture of ammonia and glycerin can also be used as a cream.
- Flaxseed oil at night or shaving cream with vitamin P in the composition is the best replacement for any cream.
- Hot mashed potato compress. Boil the potatoes in their skins, mash, add 2 drops of glycerin and lemon juice. Spread the mixture on a cloth and wrap your hands. Hold it as long as you can.
- Baths of mashed potatoes with milk will help with painful cracks. Just keep your hands in the warm mixture and the wounds will gradually heal.
- Do not throw away the water in which you boiled the potatoes. Pour a spoonful of oil into the broth and soak your hands in this solution for 20 minutes.
- A mask made from bread crumbs and milk will perfectly cope with dry skin. Mash the crumb in heated milk, put it on your hands, hold for 25 minutes.
To heal painful cracks on the fingers, Pantoderm, Bepanten, Radevit, methyluracil ointment, Vinilin, and sea buckthorn oil will help.
Finally: material: “How to treat cracks on hands” will help get rid of many problems with your hands. Use suitable recipes.
