The appearance of painful cracks on the skin of the fingers is sometimes difficult to explain due to the lack of visible reasons. Their unattractive appearance is only half the trouble. Slowly healing and constantly bleeding wounds make manual work difficult, cause discomfort, and interfere with normal human life.
To prevent a problem, it is important to know about the possible causes of its occurrence, as well as the current methods of treating cracks in the fingers, which will get rid of them in the shortest possible time and help avoid serious complications.
Causes of cracked fingers
Human skin serves as an excellent indicator of the state of health of the body. As soon as any failures appear in his work, the epidermis is the first to respond to them, giving signals. Cracks that form on the skin of the fingers can signal the development of certain diseases.
- Fungus. Diseases caused by parasitic fungi destroy the nails and damage the skin on the fingers, causing severe itching and flaking. Progressing, the disease can contribute to the appearance of deep wounds.
- Diabetes. A systematic increase in blood sugar levels instantly affects the condition of the skin of the hands. Dryness appears, and as a result, cracks, ulcers, abscesses and gouty nodules.
- Dermatological diseases. These include childhood dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
- Avitaminosis. With a lack of vitamins in the body, the skin (in particular on the hands and face) begins to peel off, becomes dry, and may crack.
- Endocrine diseases. Disruptions in the endocrine system can disrupt the metabolic process of the skin.
Other unfavorable external factors such as:
- frequent skin contact with very cold or chlorinated water;
- exposure to household chemicals and other aggressive substances;
- cosmetic products of dubious quality or expired;
- climatic conditions (frost, cold, wind, arid climate, temperature changes);
- prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The main places of crack formation
Cracks and wounds are localized on the folds of the fingers, in the folds on the palm and on the outside above the joints, on the fingertips, near the nails (the area of the nail fold), at the base of the phalanges of the fingers, and also between them.
The most vulnerable areas are the folds of the fingers. The slightest movement of the brush leads to the fact that the skin in these places is stretched, and if it is very dry and tight, a rupture may occur. The healing period of cracks in these places is quite long.
Calluses often form on the fingertips, which are replaced by cracks. Non-healing lesions in this area are characteristic of such an inflammatory disease as eczema. Cracks between the fingers are the first signs of palmoplantar psoriasis. And their appearance under the nails is most often associated with beriberi, eczema and the development of fungal diseases.
Medical treatment
Proper treatment for any disease guarantees a quick recovery. Therefore, before proceeding with the elimination of a particular problem, you should first find out the exact reasons that provoked this phenomenon.
So, if cracks are found on the skin of the hands, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. The specialist prescribes, first of all, a scraping from the fingers to check for the presence or absence of mycosis or mycelium. If the result is positive, antifungal therapy is prescribed.
You can get rid of shallow cracks using cosmetic creams and balms, which contain components with softening, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory properties and extracts of medicinal plants.
For example, Green Pharmacy cream (with chamomile extract), Bioderma, Boro Plus (pink and green), Rilana, as well as silicone, spermaceti and lanolin creams. Among the balms can be distinguished “Rescuer” and “Keeper”.
In case of complications, pharmacy ointments with a wound-healing effect are needed: ichthyol, calendula ointment, Vishnevsky ointment, “Dexapanthenol”. Pronounced deep cracks on the fingers are healed faster with the help of medical glue “Sulfacrylate” and BF-6.
All drugs must be prescribed by a doctor after a preliminary examination. Treatment of severe cases involves the appointment of drugs with a more powerful and broad spectrum of action.
- Antiseptics (Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, Miramistin). Usually used in combination with wound healing agents and in order to prevent infection.
- Antibacterial drugs. Apply only in the presence of a bacterial infection.
- Preparations for stimulating metabolism in tissues – Methyluracil, Actovegin, Radevit. It is not recommended to use on its own.
- Corticosteroid ointments for the treatment of diseases such as dermatitis, eczema – Flucinar, Prednisolone ointment, Fluorocort, Celestoderm. For psoriasis, emulsions based on active substances are prescribed: aloe, tar, grease, amii.
Treatment with folk remedies
The influence of external irritants that contribute to the appearance of cracks can, if not avoided, then be reduced by following simple daily rules.
Wear rubber gloves when handling household chemicals.
- Wash your hands with baby soap.
- Moisturize your hands daily to reduce the risk of cracking.
- If shallow cracks on the fingers still sometimes occur, they can be cured with the help of folk remedies prepared at home.
- Potato decoction. 1 st. mix a spoonful of potato starch with 2 tbsp. tablespoons of vegetable oil and add 500 ml of water in which the potatoes were boiled. Dip your hands in the broth for 13-15 minutes. Then wash and dry with a towel.
- Milky glycerin solution. Mix 200 ml of water with the same amount of milk, add 5-6 drops of glycerin and 1.5-2 tbsp. spoons of cornstarch. Keep your hands in the solution for 7-10 minutes.
- Cedar oil. Soak a linen cloth measuring 30×30 cm in preheated cedar oil and wrap your hands with it. Deploy after 30 minutes.
- Cucumber compress. 1 fresh cucumber, peeled and finely grated. Apply gruel to cracks or damaged areas.
Deep and persistent cracks on the fingers that cannot be treated with simple means should be shown to a specialist. Such skin lesions may be the result of an infection or fungus, and therefore require special treatment. Self-medication is not worth it. It can be not only ineffective, but cause serious complications and harm to health.
