It’s bad enough that it’s frigid outside and the weather is gloomy. On top of that, dealing with skin splitting on fingertips – skin fissures – makes everything that much worse and the winter seem that much longer. Splitting (fissuring) of the fingertips is a very common problem affecting many of us, most often in the extremely dry winter months.
Splitting fingertips, or fissures, can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Cracked skin near the nails can make daily activities hard to do. People who use their hands a lot, whether for work or fun, often suffer from this issue.
Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are more likely to experience skin splitting on fingertips. This dryness can lead to painful fissures that, if left untreated, may increase the risk of skin infections..
Splitting Fingertips – Skin Fissures
It’s worth taking just a moment to discuss why these splitting fingertips (Fissures) occur in the first place. The skin throughout the body normally has a certain amount of elasticity—its ability to bounce back to its normal position after stretching. Think of your skin like a rubber band. You could stretch that rubber band and as long as you don’t pull it too much it will spring back to its normal shape after you’re done pulling.
What Causes Fingertips to Split?
Certain areas of the skin tend to have less elasticity, and this is especially true for the fingertips. The right background environmental conditions can reduce your skin’s elasticity which can lead to cracking.
Dry air and cold weather in the winter can cause dry hands and feet and dry out our skin, making it less elastic. Some of us are particularly prone to dry and sensitive skin causing even more susceptibility to this problem. Others may have skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis that further compound the problem. And then what happens?
When you pull or stretch that skin, rather than easily bouncing back, instead it more easily tears and splits open causing fingertip fissures.
Dry Skin Causes
- Cold weather – During the fall and winter months, cold temperatures and low humidity can reduce your skin’s moisture. Indoor heating also contributes to dry skin, as it lowers the humidity in your home. Split fingertips in the winter make moisturizing your hands during the cold months vital.
- Chemical irritants – Many products such as dish detergent and laundry soap oftentimes contain harsh chemicals. Chemical irritants can cause dryness and damage your skin’s barrier.
- Hot water – Washing dishes with hot water or taking hot showers reduces the moisture on your skin.
- Medication – Some drugs such as topical retinoids can cause your skin to dry out.
- Excess moisture – When constantly exposed to moisture, your skin can easily become irritated and dry out.
Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands Omaha & Council Bluffs
We at Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands know how incredibly uncomfortable splitting fingertips can make you. We are happy to report that there are several different things that you can do to improve your skin health and get skin fissure spots to heal.
How to Keep Fingertips From Splitting – Home Remedies
Fortunately, there are a few at-home remedies that you can try to help prevent skin fissures in the first place.
Moisturize your Hands Multiple Times a Day
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Applying moisturizer to your fingertips is one of the best home remedies to heal cracked and painful finger skin splitting open. It is best to moisturize your hands throughout the day, especially at bedtime, to prevent skin cracking. In some cases, it is best to heal cracked fingertips by applying a liquid bandage first to seal cracks and fissures, and then moisturizing.
Coconut oil can help soothe splitting fingertips caused by dryness or the environment. It hydrates the skin and prevents more cracks when used regularly. However, if the splitting is due to medical conditions like eczema or psoriasis, coconut oil may not be enough.
When selecting a moisturizer, the thicker the product, the better it may be for you. The best dermatologists know that lotions are the weakest moisturizers, with creams being better, and ointments being the best for a skin fissure.
Dermatologist Recommended Hand Creams
- CeraVe
- Eucerin
- Cetaphil
- Vanicream
- Aquaphor
Soak your Hands in Lukewarm Water
For severe dry skin on the hands, especially if it causes splitting, we often have patients soak their hands. Soak your hands in lukewarm water for three to five minutes before bed. After soaking, coat your wet hands with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Then, put on soft white cotton gloves.
This method can also help with problems like athlete’s foot or cracked heels. It softens the skin and promotes healing. Soaking your hands in lukewarm water and applying Vaseline every night can soften your hands. Using the same pair of gloves without washing them can also increase their elasticity.
Protect your Hands
When things get particularly bad with dry hands and splitting skin, try to minimize activities that put great strain on the fragile skin.
To heal split fingers and prevent hand fissures, avoid exposure to the elements (cold outdoor temperatures), and also avoid frequent hand washing (only washing your hands when necessary). Repeat wet-dry cycles, as you get with washing dishes, cleaning, and doing mechanical work where you wash your hands afterward is one of the most common causes of cracked fingertips.
Consider wearing gloves for activities that can cause cracked hands. Wear work gloves for heavy mechanical activities and thinner disposable gloves for household activities. Nitrile gloves are often good for this and can be bought by the box.
Additional Reading:
Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands | Best Dermatologist in Omaha, NE & Council Bluffs, IA | Board Certified Dermatologists
If these measures don’t do enough for you, consider seeking medical advice from us here at Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands. In some cases, more aggressive treatments may be needed, resulting in great improvement.
Again, we know how bad winters can be, especially on the fingertips. Splitting fingertip fissures can be extremely uncomfortable. We hope this information has been helpful to you, and if you still have difficulties, we have appointments available to evaluate and treat your problem at our offices in Omaha, Council Bluffs, and outreach locations in both Iowa and Nebraska.
For any information or to make an appointment please contact us.
