Dry skin on the hands
General
Dry and chapped hands are a common and uncomfortable problem. Overall, the hands are the most sensitive area on the body, as they are used a lot and are exposed to many environmental factors.
In the cold winter months in particular, many people are plagued with dry hands. The fact that the skin cracks quickly also increases the risk of an infection.Furthermore, the hands react quickly to certain irritants, which increases the suffering of those affected again.
causes
Dry hands often occur in winter. The reason for this is, for example, the dry heating air, which removes the necessary moisture from the skin. In addition, the cold in winter ensures that the sebum glands of the skin produce less fat. In particular, the frequent change in winter between dry heated air in rooms and the cold outside leads to skin damage. At low temperatures, the blood vessels narrow so that no heat is released outside. However, this also means that the hands are poorly supplied with nutrients, which is harmful to them.
Not only cold climatic conditions can lead to rough and dry hands, temperatures that are too warm can also trigger this, as the skin also releases more moisture in the form of sweat when it is hot. If there is high humidity at the same time, the skin dries out faster. If there are frequent sunburns, the skin is permanently damaged, so that it loses its elasticity and wrinkles earlier.
Frequent hand washing with soap is also harmful, as it softens the outer protective covering of the skin. In addition, the protective acid mantle of the skin is attacked. Overall, this makes the skin more sensitive, so that the hands become brittle and cracked. On the one hand, water is beneficial for our skin, on the other hand, too much water should be avoided, as this can leach the skin and remove fats and moisture from it. Professional swimmers, for example, often have to deal with skin problems. In relation to the hand, the back of the hand is particularly susceptible, as the skin is thinner here and there are fewer sebum glands there than on the rest of the hand.
Read more on the topic: Brittle hands
Insufficient fluid intake can also lead to the development of dry skin, which is why you should always drink enough. Older people in particular tend to drink too little because they feel less and less thirsty, which can lead to dry skin.
Increased psychological stress can also manifest itself through dry skin. Drug side effects are an additional cause. This can be triggered, for example, by preparations containing cortisone, diuretics (drugs to increase the excretion of water) and certain chemotherapeutic agents.
Dry skin can also be the expression of a skin disease such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis. In addition, metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (sugar disease) or an underactive thyroid can lead to dry skin. In the case of stubborn dry skin, these causes should also be clarified by a doctor.
However, increasingly drier skin is also a typical symptom of old age, as the skin can store less and less moisture with increasing age or the protective mechanisms against loss of fluid are less pronounced. Furthermore, the skin of older people can produce less fat, so that the skin with its protective function is becoming increasingly thinner and more vulnerable.
Read more on the subject at: Causes of Dry Skin or Rash on the hands
Vitamin deficiency as a cause of dry skin
Dry skin as a result of a Vitamin deficiency can for example through the heavy consumption of alcohol occurrence. Excessive alcohol consumption also leads to a Malnutrition, as a result of which vitamins and minerals are missing, which can also be reflected on the skin. The same applies to strong alcohol as it does to alcohol Chain smokers.
Also with an existing eating disorder, malnutrition with increasing age or a very unbalanced diet, important vitamins such as vitamin A or B of the skin can be deficient and cause dry hands. There are many vitamins in vegetables, fruits and animal products in particular. Especially with one Vitamin A deficiency dry and flaky skin can occur. Vitamin A usually has a preventive effect against rapidly aging skin. If the body has enough vitamin A, the skin remains smooth and soft. Vitamin A is mostly in Eggs, dairy products and fish available, i.e. exclusively in animal products. Also Vitamin B2 plays a role for the skin, more precisely for skin healing and hair and nail formation. Vitamin B2 is especially in Whole grains, nuts and dairy products contain.
Please also read our topic: Diet for dry skin
Neurodermatitis as a cause of dry hands
Atopic dermatitis usually manifests itself as a dry, very itchy rash and, in adults, often affects the elbows and hollows of the knees in addition to the hands.
A bath oil with polidocanol, for example, can be used to reduce the severe itching. Antihistamines can also be used in the evening to reduce extreme nocturnal itching. In addition, moisturizing creams are generally recommended and cortisone-containing creams are used in the acute episode. Phototherapy in combination with cortisone can also help.
If local therapy is not sufficient, systemic therapy that modulates the immune system must be considered.
Read more on the topic: Neurodermatitis
Disinfectants as the cause of dry skin on the hands
Contrary to popular belief, disinfectants are less damaging to the skin than washing hands with soap, which destroys the skin's natural protective acid layer.
However, the alcohol contained in disinfectants can dry out the skin over time. Therefore, care should be taken to use a disinfectant that contains skin-care components to counteract dehydration. In addition, strongly perfumed disinfectants should be avoided, as these are often not tolerated by atopic people and lead to dry skin and eczema.
Concomitant symptoms
Dry hands often feel tense and can tear. These cracks are extremely painful, especially when moving when tension is applied to the skin. Overall, dry skin is more sensitive and more easily injured.
The loss of fluid also makes the skin look less tight and, as a result, more wrinkled.
If the dry skin is due to neurodermatitis, severe itching can occur. Often the dry and flaky skin of neurodermatitis is also found in the elbows and squats. If the itchy areas of skin are scratched, inflammation can develop, which leads to increased reddening and painfulness of the skin.
Dry skin in acute allergic contact eczema is usually very red, swollen and can also be itchy. Blisters or nodules can also appear. The rash typically only occurs on the areas of skin that have come into contact with the allergen.
If there is chronic contact eczema, the complexion becomes coarser. The skin is thickened and raised and the lines are markedly increased.
Cracked skin on the hands
Dry, cracked skin is particularly common in winter, as the dry heating air dries out the skin considerably. Cold wind also dries out the skin easily. In some cases, dry, cracked skin can also be a sign of neurodermatitis.
Cracks in the skin are not only painful and annoying, they also represent a gateway for infections. Bacteria can penetrate the skin and cause purulent inflammation. This is known as bacterial superinfection and leads to poorer healing of dry skin.
Neurodermatitis in particular is made significantly worse by the bacterial infection. An existing bacterial superinfection can be recognized by yellowish crusts that can be found on dry skin. If an infection is already present, antibiotics can help locally. If there is a superinfection, a dermatologist should always be consulted.
Furthermore, cracks also make it easier for allergens to penetrate the skin. This can lead to sensitization, which leads to allergic contact eczema.
Regular creaming of the cracked skin with fatty cream or Bepanthen can contribute to healing.
Read more on the topic: Chapped hands
Dry skin on the hands with a rash or eczema
Eczema is a rash that is an inflammatory disease of the skin. Hand eczema usually causes severe itching and can show nodules, blisters, crusts and redness.
It can also lead to water retention and oozing of the skin. Dandruff is particularly common in chronic eczema. At this stage there is also a clearly leather-like complexion, which impresses with a thickened skin and coarse skin structure.
Eczema of dry skin develops due to various causes. Both allergens and irritating substances can be triggering. Even water can be irritating to the hands if the hands come into excessive contact with it.
But also factors such as a genetic tendency to hypersensitivity reactions or increased perspiration or reduced sebum formation on the hands can lead to eczema, as can reduced blood circulation.
Treatment differs depending on the trigger and appearance of the eczema. In general, the skin should be treated with creams. It should be noted that dry skin needs an oily cream, while weeping eczema should not be treated with oily products. In this case, aqueous solutions are ideal. In addition, care should be taken to avoid irritant substances and allergens and to wash hands less often or use pH-neutral soap.
It is important that the skin, even if it appears healed on the outside, is still about four to six weeks less resilient. During this time, particular attention should be paid to good skin care and contact with irritant substances should be avoided.
Read more on the topic: Eczema on the hand
Dry skin on the hands in children
Children's skin reacts even more sensitive than adult skin. Therefore, especially in the cold winter months, children often get dry and cracked hands, especially in the area of the Back of hand. The hands should then with highly greasy and moisturizing creams, such as Linola be creamed. Hands are best for it Creamed thickly in the evening and Protected with cotton glovesso that the cream can take effect overnight. In extreme cases, a cream with a low can also be used Cortisone content be taken to help.
Children are also often more sensitive to the use of Soap. In part, it can be a response to the soap allergic reaction or intolerance come. Since children often do not wash their hands thoroughly after soaping up, they can Soap residue stay behind so that the soap does Attack the protective acid mantle of the skin can. The reaction to this is dry and rough skin. Goes dry skin at the same time as one Redness and one severe itching hand in hand, this can be for a Neurodermatitis which is common in children, this should then be clarified by a doctor. Otherwise, the same possible causes of dry hands as in adults apply.
treatment
The treatment of dry hands usually takes place by applying creams. Medication is usually not taken. Above all, it is important to pay attention to a few important basic rules.
When washing hands, care should be taken to ensure that the hands are only washed with lukewarm water and not with hot water, as hot water in particular softens the skin. If possible, pH skin-neutral soap in the pH range of 5.5 should be used as soap.
Afterwards, it is advisable to apply a moisturizing cream to your hands. In general, the hands should be cared for with high-fat care, especially in winter. The drier the hands are, the more fat the cream should contain. Products that contain olive oil or evening primrose oil are particularly suitable for this application. Products that also contain urea (urea) are also recommended, as these products provide moisture and bind the water in the skin. Creams with the ingredient dexpanthenol are particularly useful for use on chapped hands. For heavily damaged hands, it also helps if the hands are rubbed with a greasy cream in the evening and then cotton gloves are worn overnight so that the cream can be absorbed overnight. In general, creams are more suitable than lotions because creams are thicker and therefore richer.
It is generally advisable to wear gloves in cold temperatures, as this means that the hands are not so badly affected by the cold. Gloves or rubber gloves are also useful when working with liquids, chemicals and detergents, as these can damage the skin.
Home remedies to treat dry hands
In addition to the care products available in pharmacies or drugstores, you can also use various home remedies for dry hands. For example, an oil bath is suitable for this, in which you place your hands for several minutes. Olive oil, almond or jojoba oil are suitable as oils. Peelings should be avoided with dry hands, as this makes the horny layer even thinner and the hands are even more attacked.
The mixture of lemon juice and honey can also work against dry hands. Honey contains antibiotic substances as well as plant hormones that strengthen the skin. For the lemon-honey mixture, you need two teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and two tablespoons of liquid honey, which are mixed together. This mixture should be applied generously to the hands several times a day and then allowed to take effect for five minutes. Then the hands should be washed with water.
Marigold ointment is often used as a home remedy for rough hands, as it promotes blood circulation in the skin, among other things. Marigold ointments in particular with the additional minerals zinc oxide and vitamin E are said to have an effect.
Sage essential oils are useful in the cold winter months as they can protect the skin against the effects of cold.
Petroleum jelly can also be used as a home remedy. Vaseline is a petroleum distillation residue. It is used on the one hand in cosmetics, but also as a lubricating oil in industry. Vaseline is particularly suitable for treating dry and chapped hands successfully. The application is the same as with highly greasy creams: It is best to apply the cream shortly before going to bed and protect with cotton gloves. Visible results should be evident after about a week.
Read more on this topic at: Home remedies for dry skin
Olive oil used to treat dry hands
Thanks to its unsaturated fatty acids, olive oil can help regenerate the skin. The fats make the skin more supple and protect against further dehydration.
In addition, because of its high vitamin A and E content, olive oil is said to protect against wrinkles. In contrast to coconut oil, it leads to less impure skin and can therefore also be used well for combination skin.
Coconut oil to treat dry hands
Coconut oil is broken down into its components by natural skin germs. One product of this process are fatty acids that can be used to moisturize dry skin.
The thin film of fat protects the skin from further loss of fluid and supplies the horny layer of the skin with the necessary fat.
Coconut oil is also said to have an antimicrobial effect. The coconut oil should not be used if the application leads to itching or rashes. Impure, pimple-prone skin can also be made worse by coconut oil. It should therefore only be used on very dry skin.
Dry skin on the hands during pregnancy
The hormonal changes during pregnancy also have an impact on the skin. While many pregnant women have rosier and firmer skin, other pregnant women suffer from particularly dry skin.
In addition, the higher hormone levels mean that the skin is generally more sensitive. Care products and UV rays can damage the skin more quickly and easily than before or after pregnancy.
Read more on the topic: Dry skin during pregnancy
