In Chicago, this year’s winter has brought an epidemic or outbreak of dry hands and skin. Cases have affected people of all ages, even including young children. Some of the symptoms that are seen in children and adults are:
- Cracked or dry, rough skin.
- Cracked skin on hands, feet, and lips.
- The dry, rough skin of the entire body surface.
Caught Red Handed
The main culprit for these symptoms is usually washing hands too much. The soap that people use to wash their hands may be the cause of dry cracked skin. For those who don’t know, it may not matter what type of soap people use.
Not all people will react to the soap the same way, “irritant contact dermatitis” will only affect those with sensitive skin. Some forms of makeup (cosmetics) and fragrances have also been known to cause contact dermatitis. If people don’t know what types of cosmetics or makeup cause said dryness, include anything that requires:
- Rubbing.
- Pouring.
- Sprinkling.
- Or spraying.
All these things that are applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, are considered to be cosmetic. A number of the items may include nail polish, cleaning shampoos, deodorants, hair dye, facial makeup, lipsticks, and moisturizers. And although some users of these items experience no problems, some people with more sensitive skin do.
Beauty Is Pain
Cosmetics and fragrances commonly cause contact dermatitis, it can develop over the affected area within minutes or hours of exposure. Zach Moreno, a young man from the south east end of Stony Island, admitted this is very common in the winter. “I normally see it happen around this time almost every winter. It doesn’t bother me too much, but this year it seems to have gotten worse,” Moreno stated.
Although Chicago’s weather seems to go up and down, the one thing that stays constant around this time of the year is that the air is cold and dry. With that being said, it’s very clear that the lake right next to the city is going to keep it that way for the rest of the season. However, there is a ray of hope for Chicagoans that include self-help for the treatment of people’s dry skin.
When asked what he does to prevent his hand from becoming damaged, Moreno replied, “Honestly there is no real way to avoid the effects of the dry cold winter on my hands. But I have found that keeping them moisturized, and wearing gloves usually does it for me.”
But how would someone who has already tried lotions prevent their hands from becoming dry again?
Armed With Knowledge In The Fight Against Dry Skin
Well, one way to combat dry skin is to educate people on why it’s happening. Cracked skin on the feet is normally caused by repeated contact with moisture. Wearing wet or sweaty socks can also be the main culprit of dry skin on the feet.
“Tennis shoe dermatitis,” is when the soles of the feet are involved, with cracks usually around the heels and big toes. There is however some treatment that you can give to your feet for dry skin and cracks. For dry skin on feet, it would be best to know that one of the remedies is a “liquid bandage.” They are mostly used for deep reoccurring cracks in the skin.
This technique is fairly new, and seals wounds for about a week. As the wound heals, the skin pushes the plastic up and off and the skin for easy removal. To apply the bandage, first wash and dry the affected area.
The Seal That Heals
After the affected area has been properly cleaned, people can use the small brush or swab that the kit comes with and then apply the liquid bandage. The plastic takes only a minute to dry, before one can apply the second coating. Another thing that one can try is the use of ointments like petroleum jelly or Vaseline.
However, people shouldn’t use the liquid bandage and the ointment together. The liquid bandage has been known to work better for this scenario. If people are going to use the ointment, it is best recommended to apply it three times a day.
People should use an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin, instead of Vaseline, if the cracking seems really bad. Bag Balm is also very useful in helping to combat dry, cracked hands, feet, or other skin areas. No prescription is needed, and it should be applied to the affected area three times a day. Some tips and tricks to prevent cracked feet may include:
- Changing socks when they are sweaty.
- Taking an extra pair of socks when traveling.
- Reduce the amount of time one has to wear shoes.
- Try not to use bubble baths or soaps in the water. Soaps will take away the natural oils in the skin.
- Use a moisturizing cream on the feet after taking a bath or shower.
- Wear shoes that allow the feet to “breathe.”
Put The Rash Behind You
People should expect to see the cracks heal over one week of treatment. However, deeper cracks tend to heal slower. If one keeps them covered consistently with a crack sealer, they usually heal after about two weeks. For the hands, deep cracks on the fingers do not heal with ointments. Some extra tips to prevent dry cracked hands are:
- Washing hands with warm water.
- Only use soap for very dirty hands and things that won’t come off with water alone.
- Use moisturizing cream for hands after they have been in the water.
- Wear protective gloves for washing dishes and wear gloves outside in cold weather.
Courtesy of Marco di Pisa (Flickr CC0)
Treating the Children Too
The lips on people’s faces can also become very dry and can even be just as much of a problem as dry feet or hands. In some cases of children, the lips can become chapped from too much sun or wind.
Lip-licking habits can also cause them to become cracked. If a child sucks on their lips it can also cause the lips to become pink and dry. Some tips and tricks people can try to get treat their child’s dry lips are:
- Using lip balm frequently about every hour, even after eating or drinking.
- Helping the child give up the bad habit of lip-sucking and licking.
- Get them to participate in the healing process.
- Give them lip lubricant or chewing gum whenever they get the urge to suck on them.
- Give them awards or prizes for going without lip-sucking.
- Avoid pressure or punishment for their habit, because it can backfire and cause the habit to get even worse.
These are some of the causes and treatments for dry cracked hands and skin including feet and lips. With the dry and cold weather, it’s good to have an idea of how to prevent irritations such as this for oneself and their child.
Written by Takhon Hemingway
Sources:
Interview: Zach Moreno, March 31, 2023
Lakeview Pediatrics: Cracked or Dry Skin
Radiance by WebMD: Prevent and Soothe Chapped Winter Hands; by Shelly Levitt
