Cold is in the air. Everyone is preparing to beat the cold in winter.
Upon seeing my hands, I saw how dry they are.
Some parts are flaky, but my fingertips? Cracking.
Despite applying some lotion and wearing gloves, fingertips tend to crack again.
I am not sure why this happens until I learn about it.
There are reasons why your fingertips are cracked during the cold season, and there’s a way to fix it.
Effects of Cold Weather on Your Skin
Your skin is vulnerable to the effects of cold weather.
Cold air can make your skin easily dry; retaining your skin’s moisture is your top priority during the cold weather.
You must be particular about the effects of sanitizer, handwashing, and indoor heaters at your home. They can also cause your moisture level to drop rapidly.
When moisture levels are consistently low during cold weather, it is your fingertips that become the easy target.
This is due to the low content of oil glands and the exposure to hot-cold temperatures.
The loss of moisture causes your tight skin (like your fingertips) to crack, which can cause minor pain.
More than Just a Dry Skin
Dry skin requires enough moisture to survive in the dryness caused by the cold air.
But there are certain signs that your skin may be more than just dry.
Some of these signs are having a burning/stinging sensation, deep cracks, and healing slowly.
Another sign that it is more than just dry skin is when you try to bend your fingers, which can cause pain.
When this occurs, it cannot be resolved just by applying some lotion.
If your skin is severely dry, this can also cause cracking on your fingertips.
The moisture becomes too low, which loses the skin’s ability to stretch. Aside from dryness, cold air can also weaken the skin barrier.
Other Triggering Factors to Cracked Fingertips
Aside from dryness brought by the cold air, here are some of the factors that further contribute to cracked fingertips:
- Skin condition
- Harsh Cleaning Products
- Overuse of Hand Sanitizer
- Hot Water
- Washing Too Frequently
How to Help Your Cracked Fingertips Quickly Recover?
Most of the time, cracked fingertips can recover with the help of the following acts:
- Use ointments or thick creams like ceramides, glycerin, and petroleum jelly.
- Apply some cream after handwashing to retain moisture.
- Wear some thick cotton gloves as you sleep.
- Take a bath in warm water.
- Always wear your gloves when doing some cleaning and outdoor routine.
- Use products that are less fragrant to avoid skin irritation.
- Avoid using alcohol wipes on the cracked fingertips.
- Apply some hand sanitizers, but do not rely on them too much.
When you encounter some healed cracked fingertips, do not peel the dry skin or ignore the bleeding.
The goal is to prevent your fingertips from cracking and avoid inviting infection to the affected part.
When To See a Doctor?
Open or bare skin are easy way to be infected during winter. That’s why you have to avoid taking off your gloves when you are exposed to the cold air.
It’s time to consult a doctor when you notice that the cracks are deepening or spreading.
Another reason why you need medical attention is when your fingertips swell, and the cracks are not healed after two weeks.
Cracked Fingertips Lack Moisture Attention
Cracked fingertips are a sign that your skin lacks the moisture it needs to thrive.
It’s not because your skin is bad. But it signifies that your skin is under-protected and overworked.
Hydration and moisture retention are keys to reducing the impact of fingertips from getting cracked.
The winter might be exciting, but skin protection should be your responsibility.