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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Dental Assistant"; Painful, cracked, dry skin of the hands. An occupational hazard for some, made worse in winter; Jan-Feb 2002
- "Dental Assistant"; Painful, cracked, dry skin of the hands. An occupational hazard for some, made worse in winter; Jan-Feb 2002
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Cracked Fingers & Heels
Cracked skin anywhere on your body can be painful and debilitating. For a number of reasons, the extremities of your body -- hands and feet -- are at risk for the development of cracked skin under certain conditions. Circulation to these areas may be poor, and there may be pressure on the skin from footwear or manual work. Dry skin, also known as xerosis, is relatively common and may lead to skin cracking.
Causes
There are several possible causes of cracked skin on the heels or fingers. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons reports that some common causes of cracked heels are open-backed shoes such as sandals or flip-flops, or being overweight 1. Additionally, cracked heels may be a sign of other underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or autonomic neuropathy -- a loss of nerve functioning.
Prevention/Solution
What Are the Causes of Dry Cracked Hands?
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To prevent cracked heels, wear footwear with a closed back and lose any excess weight that is placing strain on your feet and heels. Also ensure that the back of your shoes is not causing undue friction on the rear of your foot and heel area. For your fingers, keep your hands dry and protected from cold weather with gloves. Protect them from the sun with sunscreen. Keep your heels, hands and fingers well moisturized with a relatively rich moisturizing cream in order to prevent or reduce cracking of the skin.
- To prevent cracked heels, wear footwear with a closed back and lose any excess weight that is placing strain on your feet and heels.
- For your fingers, keep your hands dry and protected from cold weather with gloves.
Treatment
If cracked skin anywhere on your body progresses so that there is an open sore, you should schedule an appointment with a specialist. An open sore on the heel Medical News Today, cracked heels may be particularly prone to infection -- you should seek medical treatment if you suspect your heel is infected.
Considerations
What Causes Peeling Skin on Children's Feet?
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Cracked skin, particularly on the fingers, may be caused by environmental factors, your daily activities or even your job. Cracked skin on the hands is noted to be an occupational hazard for people who work with their hands -- dental assistants, for example, may experience cracking of the hands and fingers, which is made worse by wearing protective gloves or by winter weather 3. Jobs in which your hands are continually wet, such as washing dishes, may also contribute to cracked skin on your fingers.
Warning
Because cracked skin may indicate any one of several potentially serious underlying medical conditions, it is important you seek individual medical advice and receive a diagnosis regarding your cracked skin symptoms before attempting any treatment of a specific condition. The treatment for any given condition may not work for another, different condition, and may even make symptoms worse. Always consult your own doctor if you are concerned about ongoing physical symptoms.
Related Articles
References
- American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: Cracked Heels
- Medical News Today: Helpful Hints To Get Your Feet Ready For The Summer Season
- "Dental Assistant"; Painful, cracked, dry skin of the hands. An occupational hazard for some, made worse in winter; Jan-Feb 2002
- Institute For Preventive Foot Health. National Foot Health Assessment 2012. 2012.
- Boutrand LB, Thépot A, Muther C, et al. Repeated short climatic change affects the epidermal differentiation program and leads to matrix remodeling in a human organotypic skin model. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:43-50. doi:10.2147/CCID.S120800
- Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S. Atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6
- Safer JD. Thyroid hormone action on skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011;3(3):211-215. doi:10.4161/derm.3.3.17027
- Hashizume H. Skin aging and dry skin. J Dermatol. 2004;31(8):603-609. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2004.tb00565.x
- Parker J, Scharfbillig R, Jones S. Moisturisers for the treatment of foot xerosis: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Res. 2017;10:9. doi:10.1186/s13047-017-0190-9
- Linus Pauling Institute. (2012-2016). Oregon State University: Micronutrient Information Center: Essential Fatty Acids and Skin Health.
Writer Bio
Jae Allen has been a writer since 1999, with articles published in "The Hub," "Innocent Words" and "Rhythm." She has worked as a medical writer, paralegal, veterinary assistant, stage manager, session musician, ghostwriter and university professor. Allen specializes in travel, health/fitness, animals and other topics.