How to Moisturize Cracked Fingers

Moisturize cracked fingers to prevent discomfort and pain.

During the winter, skin dries out faster due to dry air, including on your hands and fingers. Skin conditions, such as eczema, or washing your hands too often increases the risk of having cracked fingers. Since you use your hands to do nearly everything, having cracked fingers can make your day-to-day activities painful. Prevent your fingers from turning from cracked, dry fingers to bleeding, open cuts by moisturizing them regularly.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Moisturizing cream or lotion
• Cotton gloves

Instructions

1. Apply hydrocortisone cream to fingers two to three times a day to heal cracks and prevent them from getting worse.

2. Apply a layer of moisturizing lotion with vitamin E and/or vitamin A. You can apply it over the hydrocortisone cream at night, then put 100-percent cotton gloves on your hands. Leave it on overnight to allow the cream to penetrate the skin.

3. Prevent future cracking or breakages by limiting exposure to dish washing soap or harsh soaps when washing your hands. Wear specific dish washing gloves while doing dishes or interacting with other harsh cleaning products, such as those containing bleach.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek a doctor's advice if, despite multiple attempts to moisturize the skin, you still experience cracking. You may have a skin condition that requires prescription medication to treat.

References

• DermaDoctor: Hand and Finger Care
• Simple-Remedies; Cracks On Fingers Causes: Home Remedy For Healing Cracked Fingertips; March, 2011
• WebMD: Hydrocortisone