What’s happening
Cold air + low humidity + frequent handwashing strip your skin’s natural oils. Fingertips have thin skin, so they crack easily and can be painful.
What to do today
1. Seal the cracks (most important step)
Use a thick, greasy barrier, not lotion.
Best options:
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Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
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Aquaphor
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Thick hand balm (not scented)
👉 Apply after every handwash and before bed.
At night:
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Apply a thick layer
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Cover with a bandage or cotton gloves
This helps cracks heal faster.
2. Protect open splits
If a crack is open or painful:
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Gently clean with soap and water
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Pat dry
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Apply petroleum jelly
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Cover with a small bandage or liquid bandage
⚠️ Don’t use hydrogen peroxide repeatedly—it slows healing.
3. Change how you wash your hands
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Use lukewarm, not hot water
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Use gentle, fragrance-free soap
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Pat hands dry (don’t rub)
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Moisturize immediately after
4. Gloves are non-negotiable in the cold 🧤
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Wear gloves every time you go outside
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Keep an extra pair in your bag or car
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At home, wear gloves for:
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Washing dishes
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Cleaning
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Handling cold items
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5. Avoid these for now ❌
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Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (unless absolutely needed)
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Scented lotions
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Picking at peeling skin
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Super glue (can irritate skin)
When to be more cautious
Try to see a doctor sooner if you notice:
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Increasing redness, warmth, or swelling
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Pus or yellow crust
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Fever
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Cracks that won’t heal after 1–2 weeks of care
These could mean infection or eczema that needs prescription treatment.
Extra tip
If this happens every winter, a thick barrier cream before bed every night, even when your hands look okay, can prevent cracks from forming at all.
If you want, tell me:
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How severe the cracks are (tiny vs deep)
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Whether they itch or just hurt
and I can tailor this even more for you 💙
