In addition to the face, the hands are the part of the body that is most exposed to atmospheric agents and this causes a series of damage, especially during the winter season. In this regard, it is essential to learn how to protect them , both through the use of a pair of gloves and with a deep and daily hydration .
In particular, the continuous exposure of the hands to the cold and icy wind, together with the heating which tends to make the air very dry, make them very rough and chapped. Poor hydration also contributes to very dry hands.
The problem of dry handsit concerns men and women, indiscriminately, and at specific times of the year. In addition to atmospheric and environmental factors, to determine the resistance to cold, and also the hydrolipidic film: the protective barrier that covers the epidermis and which guarantees constant hydration. If it is very fragile, the classic symptoms of delicate and sensitive skin could occur: discomfort, persistent itching, eczema, micro-cuts and even chilblains.
Index
- Dry hands: all causes
- Dry hands: what are the signs
- Dry hands: some precautions to follow
- Dry hands: what remedies to follow
- Chapped hands: when to see a doctor
Dry hands: all the causes
There are several causes of dry hands and certainly the arrival of the winter season does not help. First of all, it is good to know that dry skin is considered a real condition of damage to the outer protective layer of the skin. This is a circumstance that can occur occasionally, but also continuously in the most predisposed people.
The dryness of the skin, and especially of the hands, is due to a series of agents capable of reducing the presence of lipids in the skin: in particular, elasticity, the ability to protect and the ability to retain water are reduced, conditions necessary to moisturize the skincorrectly. In these situations, its outermost layer becomes dry and difficult to treat, if not with specific products. The most affected areas are usually the legs, lips and, of course, the hands.
One of the most damaging factors is certainly the cold , accompanied by the typical wind of the winter season: in fact, it causes the blood vessels to contract, causing the skin to slow down its natural cell regeneration process.
The low atmospheric humidity , then, contributes to increasing the transpiration of the skin and a consequent and enormous loss of water. Here is the second cause of dry and rough hands. To wash handsand certainly an important gesture, a real good habit, especially before sitting down at the table or after going to the bathroom. But we must be careful: washing your hands very often could cause irritation that should not be underestimated, especially if you use very aggressive soaps.
Inevitably, aging is among the causes of dry hands , and unfortunately it is a condition that is impossible to monitor. It is part of nature, and although some precautions are followed, aging is part of a process that cannot be stopped. For this reason, older people , whose skin tends to produce less and less fat, are particularly prone to dry and chapped hands.Dry hands: what are the signs Taking care of the skin of your hands is important to avoid pain or unpleasant irritation but also to present yourself to others in the best possible way: every day you come into contact with different people and it is important to take care of our first business card, the hands.
Cracked and dry skin , especially in the hands, causes severe itching and, if not treated properly, could also lead to the creation of micro-cuts, cracks and flaking. Furthermore, dry and chapped hands
lose a lot of water and consequently dehydrate very quickly: in this way, severe irritation is caused, another symptom attributable to rough and unhealthy skin.Irritating agents for the skin of the hands , are also smog and pollution and this is almost taken for granted.
Few, however, consider UV rays as one of the triggers of dry and damaged skin. In fact, even in summer it is very important to protect yourself from sunscreens, taking advantage of the powerful action of creams with SPF. The saltiness, then, causes a strong dryness. Dry hands: some precautions to follow Dry and chapped hands need first of all constant and deep hydration: this is the first precaution to be taken into consideration in order not to run into the classic symptoms mentioned here. Provide your skin with the right amount of water, always.
Also, to combat dry handsIt is very important to moisturize the skin daily: apply a good water repellent product several times a day that may be perfectly capable of protecting the skin from external aggressions. At the same time, it is good that the product you have chosen to use also knows how to retain water inside the epidermis.
In addition to a good moisturizer, it is good to take a number of precautions to protect your handseven when, for example, cleaning the house. It is good to wear a pair of gloves to protect dry hands during housework: this not only because it is important to protect yourself from any bacteria, but because the chemical agents contained in detergents and detergents can damage the skin considerably. For example, be very careful if your hands have micro-cuts or lacerations, as the dish soap could tear the skin even more.
Use a pair of warm gloves even when you go out to work or to go shopping: as you well know, the cold is the greatest enemy of dry and chapped hands. Use some moisturizer and put on gloves before going out. Dry hands: what remedies to follow
There is a solution to everything and therefore there is also a remedy for dry and chapped hands. Surely, at the base of a treatment for dry skin there is a complete and daily hydration. Every day we come into contact with many different surfaces: public transport, banknotes, common places, handles, handrails. All this, together with the cold and a certain sensitivity of the skin, leads the skin to become very dry and split easily. The skin of the hands, in particular, requires a lot of attention and specific care, as it tends to deteriorate and dehydrate in a very short time.
There are many products that can be purchased for hand care:more precisely, we are talking about moisturizers, able to heal the skin from the depths and promote cell renewal. Generally, for dry, chapped and cut hands , we recommend a cream with a repairing and emollient action: this type of cream can be purchased both in pharmacies and in personal care shops. The brands are many and it is good to get advice based on the specific problem that is encountered. In fact, each person does it by himself. A good emollient cream contains substances such as lanolin, squalene, isopropyl palmitate, jojoba oil. These are ideal ingredients to combat dryness and irritation: in fact, they help the skin to remain young, soft, but above all hydrated.
Remember, hydration is the key word! Other substances present in this type of product, on the other hand, are humectants and this means that they take care to keep the skin elastic , retaining moisture on the surface: sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin. If the skin on your hands tends to crack and bleed, it will be necessary to take advantage of the intensive action of a specific product to solve the problem: for example, you could use petroleum jelly. Apply a delicate layer of product on the skin before going to bed and wear a pair of cotton gloves for greater effectiveness. The following day, your skin will be smooth and velvety. Seeing is believing! Chapped hands: when to see a doctor
Of course, a good moisturizing and emollient cream is the ideal ally to fight dry and cracked skin. It is essential to know how to choose a good product, with concrete efficacy and maybe get advice from a specialist. Using a pair of gloves to do housework is also very important to protect your hands and prevent them from coming into contact with aggressive agents in detergents. If you are a housewife, even more so, a good pair of gloves could become your new best friend!
In some cases, however, the prevention methods adopted may not be sufficient in relation to the seriousness of the problem: and therefore this is the time to consult a doctor. In particular, if the skin in addition to being cracked also starts to hurt, it is good to notify your dermatologist and schedule a check-up as soon as possible. Cracks and cuts in the skin of the hands indicate a very serious situation, to be kept well monitored. Be very careful, as severely dry and cracked skin could cause major infections. The latter, if not treated in time, is very likely to lead to sepsis: a fatal blood infection.
And again, if you notice that the skin of your hands has white ulcers, abnormal bleeding, swelling, redness accompanied by fever, and the case to consult a doctor. These are extreme conditions,but that can occur without notice. No situation should be underestimated, even if apparently trivial. Particular attention, then, must be paid by people suffering from diabetes : cracked and dry skin, for people with this disease, heals with a slightly longer timeframe and, even more so, it is good that a series of preventions: hydration and protection , always and in any case.
