Curing Dry, Cracked Hands and Feet

The causes of dry and cracked hands and feet can be attributed to genetic factors

Do you know the causes of dry hands and feet?

Genetics is responsible for the occurrence of dry and cracked hands and feet

Up to 40% of dermatologist appointments are associated with issues related to dry skin, especially in areas such as the heels, soles of the feet, knees, elbows, and palms. Dry skin is categorized into three levels:

1. Mild dry skin: characterized by slight tightness, roughness, and flakiness.
2. Moderate dry skin: where the skin loses essential moisture, becomes rougher, and may crack, peel, and itch.
3. Severe dry skin: where the skin is tight, rough, cracked, and itchy.

Common underlying causes of dry skin are linked to medical conditions such as Xerosis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes, and kidney disease.

However, daily lifestyle habits and external environmental factors such as weather, sun exposure, or medication can also impact your skin. These factors can compromise the skin’s protective barrier, leading to increased water loss and rapid dryness and flakiness.

Sunlight makes hands and feet dry

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can also contribute to dryness in the skin of the hands and feet. This can cause the skin to overheat, turn red or pink, and peel after a few days, leading to dry and cracked skin.

Sunlight is also a factor that contributes to dry, rough skin on hands and feet.

Exposure to sunlight causes hands and feet to become dry

Sunlight exposure can contribute to dryness in the skin of the hands and feet over time. Prolonged exposure may result in overheating of the skin, causing it to turn red or pink and eventually peel, leading to dry and cracked skin.

Excessive washing of hands and feet can result in the loss of moisture

While washing hands is a healthy practice for maintaining hygiene and preventing the entry of bacteria into the body, excessive hand washing can lead to cracked and peeling skin on the fingertips. Using soap, in particular, can erode the skin’s lipid layer, resulting in dry, rough, and discolored hands. Similarly, regular foot washing can thin and damage the skin.

Hot and dry weather leads to skin dehydration

Dehydration in the skin is often associated with hot and dry weather conditions. Dry weather leads to a significant decrease in air humidity, causing a loss of essential moisture in the skin.

A deficiency in nutrients leads to scaly and dry feet

A deficiency in essential minerals and vitamins in the body can hinder skin regeneration. The lack of these nutrients prevents the replacement of dead cells, resulting in dry and scaly skin. Additionally, inadequate water intake can contribute to dry skin, given that water constitutes 60% of adult body weight.

The skin on the legs becomes dry, resembling snake skin, due to a lack of nutrition.

Other factors contributing to dry skin on the hands and feet encompass:

• Aging
• Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis
• Allergies
• Deficiencies in vitamins
• Habits like finger sucking

Understanding these causative factors, if you’ve experimented with various hand and foot creams without witnessing improvement, the following formulations can make a significant difference for you. Blending diverse nourishing oils will assist you in attaining smooth and soft skin, overcoming external factors.

Safe and effective methods for treating dry, cracked hands.

Dry and cracked hands hinder one’s ability to hold things comfortably, making their treatment crucial. Here are some safe and effective methods to address dry and cracked hands:

#1 Treating dry and cracked hands with honey and coconut oil

Always remember to use honey first when moisturizing your skin.

Gently exfoliate your hands and feet with lemon.

Lemon may not provide as much moisturizing effect as the previous recipe, but its acid content can aid in exfoliating dead skin cells and promoting the regeneration of new skin.

How to:

• Step 1: To reduce the acidity of the lemon, prepare a bowl of warm water with lemon extract and soak your feet for about 15 minutes.
• Step 2: Rinse with water. The vitamin C in lemon helps brighten and superbly moisturize the skin.

#3 Treating dry and cracked hands with olive oil

Olive oil is also a popular skincare ingredient, recognized for its high moisturizing properties and various skin-benefiting components. It can help restore dry, flaky skin and alleviate itchiness.

Method:

• Step 1: Soak your hands and feet in a warm water bowl with 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Step 2: Gently massage to remove dead skin cells. Rinse with clean water after 10-15 minutes.

Additionally, you can directly apply a layer of olive oil onto your hands and feet, then cover with a thin layer of cotton or socks overnight. You’ll be surprised by the change in the morning.

#4 How to treat dry and cracked hands with rice bran powder

Using rice bran powder to address dry and cracked skin can be effective and safe, thanks to its high content of vitamins B and E. Moreover, this method is cost-effective and does not require much time.

Using rice bran powder to cure dry, cracked skin is both effective and safe.

To execute this method:

• Step 1: Prepare rice bran with unsweetened milk or coconut oil.
• Step 2: Thoroughly mix the ingredients until a thick paste is formed.
• Step 3: Apply the mixture to the dry skin area on the hands or feet and wait for 10 minutes.
• Step 4: Rinse off the rice bran with warm water.

#5 Treating dry and cracked hands with papaya

Ripe papaya contains the papain enzyme, highly esteemed for its moisturizing effects. Additionally, ripe papaya is rich in beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin.

Many people use the method of using papaya to cure dry, cracked skin.

How to do it:

• Step 1: Mash a ripe papaya and squeeze half a lemon.
• Step 2: Thoroughly mix the above combination.
• Step 3: Apply the mixture evenly to the dry and rough skin area, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes.
• Step 4: Rinse off with warm water.

Note: Utilize this remedy for dry and rough hands 1-2 times per week for optimal results.

Natural and effective ways to address dry, snake-like skin on feet

#1: How to treat dry, snake-like skin on feet with ripe bananas

Ripe bananas are also utilized as a treatment for dry hands and feet.

In addition to the health benefits, ripe bananas serve as an extremely effective remedy for dry hands and feet. Bananas are rich in potassium, effectively enhancing skin moisture. Furthermore, the presence of vitamin E in bananas protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, while vitamin A helps retain moisture and even out skin tone.

How to make:

• Step 1: For this treatment of dry hands and feet, simply mash ripe bananas and apply directly to the affected area.
• Step 2: While applying, remember to gently massage to allow the nutrients to penetrate deeper. Wait for about 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

#2: How to naturally and effectively treat dry and scaly feet with aloe vera

Aloe vera is highly effective in moisturizing the skin.

Aloe vera is a well-known plant in the beauty industry for its effective moisturizing properties. In addition to essential vitamins and minerals, aloe vera aids in exfoliating dead skin cells, soothing the skin, and eliminating rough patches. Here is a simple way to use aloe vera to treat dry hands and feet.

Method:

• Step 1: Simply take a fresh aloe vera stem and extract the gel to apply onto the dry areas of the skin.
• Step 2: Gently massage the gel onto the skin until it dries, and then rinse off with warm water. This is a quick and convenient method to moisturize the hands and feet, remaining gentle and safe for the skin.

#3: How to treat dry, rough feet with potato and egg yolk

Potatoes are rich in vitamins B and C, which brighten the skin and reduce wrinkles.

Potatoes are rich in vitamins B and C, known for their highly effective skin-brightening and wrinkle-reducing properties. On the other hand, eggs contain ample vitamin A, which aids in pore tightening and skin firming. Combining these two ingredients results in a comprehensive skincare mask.

Ingredients: 1 potato, 1 egg yolk, ½ cup unsweetened yogurt, and some pure honey.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Boil the potato until tender, then peel and mash it.
• Step 2: Mix all the ingredients together to form a slightly thick mixture.
• Step 3: Apply the mixture to the areas of skin that need treatment and gently massage.
• Step 4: Wait for about 15-20 minutes for the nutrients to penetrate the skin, then rinse off with warm water.

Performing this method approximately 3 times per week will yield a significant improvement in your skin.

#4: How to treat dry and scaly skin on feet with moisturizing cream

The approach to treating dry skin on the feet involves limiting water loss by staying hydrated and supplementing necessary nutrients or by increasing skin moisture. One of the quickest ways to moisturize the skin is to use a moisturizing cream.

Apply moisturizer to effectively treat dry skin.

Effective moisturizers for dry skin should incorporate ingredients such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, glycerin, hyaluronic acid (HA), and aloe vera gel. Some well-regarded moisturizers for addressing dry feet include Vaseline, Lucas Papaw Ointment, Innisfree Perfect Fresh Foot Cream, and Aloe Vera Foot Cream.

How to prevent dry, cracked skin on hands and feet resembling snake skin

How to prevent dry skin on hands and feet

To prevent dry and cracked skin on the hands and feet, you can take proactive measures before the issue escalates and interferes with your daily life. Except for genetically dry skin, other cases can be addressed by following the tips below:

Moisturize your skin regularly with a dedicated hand and foot cream. Just like your face, your hands and feet also need daily protection and moisturization to prevent dryness and cracks.

Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Taking care of your skin from within is also an effective way to treat dry hands and feet. Drinking enough water and consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits will keep your skin healthy and youthful.

Avoid taking hot showers as it can strip the natural moisture from your skin.

Use gloves or protective clothing when working with chemicals or exposed to high temperatures.

Exfoliate your hands and feet regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt and excess oil on the skin. This will also help promote healthier and more absorbent skin for better nutrient absorption.

Have you ever heard of hand masks?