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When to Call for Dry or Cracked Skin

Care Advice

Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Feet

What You Should Know About Cracks on Feet:

• Most often, cracked skin of the feet is caused by repeated contact with moisture.
• The main cause is often wearing wet (or sweaty) socks. Swimmers also have this problem.
• The soles of the feet are often involved. You see cracks on the heels and big toes. This is called tennis shoe or sneaker dermatitis.
• It can also be due to Athletes Foot (a fungal infection) with peeling skin and white patches.
• Cracked, dry feet usually can be treated at home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:

• Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.
• Keep the cracks covered with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
• If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
• Cover the ointment with a bandage to speed recovery. It will also act as a barrier to help stop scratching, which can lead to bleeding and infection. You can also cover it with a sock.
• Option: if you have it, a liquid skin bandage works even better. Don't use liquid bandage and ointment together.

Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Skin Bandage:

• Deep cracks of the feet or toes usually do not heal with ointments.
• Use liquid skin bandage to seal the entire crack. No prescription is needed.
• Start with 2 layers. Put on another layer as often as needed.
• As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed up.

Prevention of Cracks on Feet:

• Change socks when they are wet or sweaty.
• Take an extra pair of socks to work or sports.
• When at home, do not wear shoes. Go barefoot or wear socks only.
• Do not use bubble bath or other soaps in the bath water. Soaps take the natural oils out of the skin.
• Use a moisturizing cream on the feet after baths or showers.
• Wear shoes that allow the skin to "breathe."

What to Expect:

• Most cracks heal in 1 week with treatment.
• Deep cracks heal if you keep them covered all the time with crack sealer. Deep cracks will heal in about 2 weeks with crack sealer.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
• Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Hands

What You Should Know About Cracks on Hands:

• Cracked skin of the hands is often caused by repeated contact with moisture.
• Examples are washing dishes or washing the hands often.
• Soap removes the natural oils from the skin.
• Cracked, dry hands can be treated at home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:

• Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.
• Keep the cracks covered with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
• If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
• Cover the ointment with a bandage to speed recovery. You can also cover it with a glove.
• Option: if you have it, a liquid skin bandage works even better. Don't use liquid bandage and ointment at the same time.

Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Skin Bandage:

• Deep cracks of the fingers usually do not heal with ointments.
• Use liquid skin bandage to seal the entire crack. No prescription is needed.
• Start with 2 layers. Put on another layer as often as needed.
• As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed up.

Prevention of Cracks on Hands:

• Wash the hands with warm water.
• Use soap only if the hands are very dirty. Also, use soap for anything that won't come off with water.
• Wear gloves when washing dishes.
• During cold weather, wear gloves outside.
• Use a moisturizing cream on the hands after they have been in water.

What to Expect:

• Most cracks heal in 1 week with treatment.
• Deep cracks heal if you keep them covered all the time with crack sealer. Deep cracks will heal in about 2 weeks with crack sealer.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
• Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Treatment for Chapped Lips

What You Should Know About Chapped Lips:

• The lips can become chapped from too much sun or wind.
• If the lips become cracked, it may be from lip-licking.
• The skin around the lips can also become pink and dry.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Lip Balm:

• Use a lip balm often, even hourly.
• Be sure to put it on after eating or drinking.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
• Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Treatment for Dry or Itchy Skin

What You Should Know About Dry Skin:

• Dry skin is a common condition.
• Mainly caused by too much bathing and soap (soap dermatitis).
• Soap removes the skin's natural oils. Once they are gone, the skin can't hold moisture.
• Dry climates make it worse, as does winter weather (called winter itch).
• Genetics also plays a role in dry skin.
• Allergies or contact with irritants can also cause skin to be dry, cracked and itchy.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Bathing - Avoid Soap:

• People with dry skin should avoid soaps that take the natural oils out of the skin. Bubble bath does the most damage.
• The skin can be cleaned with warm water alone. Keep bathing to 10 minutes or less.
• Most adults can get by with using soap only for the armpits, genitals, and feet. Also, use a mild soap (such as Dove or Aveeno).
• Do not use any soap on itchy areas or rashes.

Moisturizing Cream:

• Buy a large bottle of moisturizing cream (such as Eucerin). Avoid those with fragrances.
• Put the cream on any dry or itchy area 3 times per day.
• After warm water baths or showers, trap the moisture in the skin. Do this by putting on the cream everywhere after bathing. Use the cream within 3 minutes of finishing the bath.
• During the winter, apply the cream every day to prevent dry skin.

Steroid Cream:

• For very itchy spots, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Use up to 3 times per day as needed until the itching is better.
• Over time, the moisturizing cream will be all that you need for treating dry skin.

Humidifier:

• If your winters are dry, protect your skin from the constant drying effect.
• Do this by running a room humidifier full-time.

Preventing Dry Skin:

• Don't use soaps or bubble bath.
• Wash the hands with warm water. Use soap only if the hands are very dirty. Also, use soap for anything that won't come off with water.
• Don't use swimming pools or hot tubs. Reason: pool chemicals are very drying.
• Run a humidifier in the winter if the air is dry.
• During cold weather, wear gloves outside. This helps prevent drying of the skin.
• Wear barrier creams and gloves if you are going to be in contact with something which irritates your skin.
• Drink lots of fluids.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Dry skin lasts more than 2 weeks on treatment
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.