Cracks between the fingers and toes

We use our hands constantly, without even noticing it, and do not always pay enough attention to caring for them - we put on protective gloves when using household chemicals, forget to put on mittens or gloves in cold weather. And the skin of the hands, although it has a large margin of safety, sometimes does not withstand neglect. Cracks appear between the fingers, near the nails, on the fingertips, causing serious discomfort. Such defects take a long time to heal, constantly cracking, since it is almost impossible not to use your hands even for two or three days, allowing the skin to fully recover.

In addition, cracks between the fingers may not only be a consequence of a careless attitude towards this part of the body, but a symptom of ill-being - vitamin deficiency, demineralization, congenital and acquired metabolic disorders, infection, serious chronic systemic pathologies. Long-term non-healing cracks that cannot be dealt with using cosmetic tricks and following the rules for working with caustic chemicals require contacting specialists and a thorough examination.

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Causes cracks between the fingers

The skin of our hands is constantly exposed to various unfavorable factors and substances, which causes it to become dry. This is the main cause of cracking. Some people have dry and thin skin from birth, while others achieve this effect through their actions.

Most often, the skin between the fingers can crack due to failure to observe safety precautions when working with household detergents. Sometimes even a single neglect of it is enough, everything depends on the aggressiveness of the product and the sensitivity of our skin. Some people may develop cracks between the fingers after hand washing even with soap, and after using products with chlorine or acid - and there is no need to talk about it. It is enough to be too lazy to put on gloves, take a thing soaked in bleach with two fingers and throw it into a basin of clean water, and these two fingers can suffer.

The reason for cracks on the hands can be the regular use of antibacterial soap, dishwashing detergents, shower gels. Even the simple need to wash or do laundry frequently (for example, when caring for a bedridden patient or a baby), that is, simply frequently soaking your hands in water without wearing gloves, can lead to cracks.

The skin becomes overdried when exposed to dry air for a long time. The habit of walking in the cold without gloves also has a detrimental effect on the skin of the hands. Sharp heating of frozen hands on a radiator or under a stream of hot water leads to disruption of superficial blood circulation and the appearance of microcracks.

Ladies who take care of their hands may develop cracks between their fingers after a manicure if the master was careless or the tools were not sterile. In this case, injuries are possible, as well as fungal and bacterial infections.

Simply insufficient hand care, especially in the cold season, becomes the cause of the appearance of defects on the skin of the hands.

Mechanical damage, injuries and cracks can occur when manually handling rough, hard objects.

Household risk factors often combine with each other - frequent work with water or in aggressive environments, walking in the cold without gloves, for example, in combination with regular use of antibacterial soap. The skin of the hands may not withstand such treatment. However, if you pay attention to this right away, put on gloves and take care of your hands with cosmetic procedures, the skin will return to normal fairly quickly.

It is much more difficult if everyday nihilism is combined with some kind of systemic pathology.

Cracks between the fingers may indicate the development of contact dermatitis, the presence of atopic dermatitis, allergic reactions, a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body due to poor nutrition, fasting, diets, gastrointestinal tract pathologies, and metabolic disorders.

These symptoms are manifested by eczema, palmoplantar psoriasis, fungal infection, most often yeast or dermatophytes.

Endocrinological diseases – diabetes, thyroid dysfunction (from minor to atrophy or removal); Reiter's syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, ichthyosis, nervous system disorders, even the presence of worms can, along with other symptoms, manifest itself as cracks between the fingers.

It is also necessary to take into account such risk factors that increase susceptibility to skin irritation as long-term drug therapy, decreased immunity, low activity of the sebaceous glands in children, dryness and thinning of the epidermis in old age.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of cracks is very diverse and most often includes several factors that trigger the process. Professional risks can be combined with individual sensitivity, insufficient care with chronic diseases or age-related and hereditary skin features - for example, naturally dry and thin skin requires a more careful attitude.

The skin usually cracks along the lines of collagen fibers, called Langer's lines. Cracks are most often localized in the periungual zone, on the fingertips and between them, in places of bends. Sometimes nails begin to crack or peel. Cracks that do not heal for a long time are a gateway for infection, and the process becomes protracted and difficult to diagnose.

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Epidemiology

There are no statistics reflecting complaints about cracks on fingers, dry skin on hands is not a disease. This is its feature, which also accompanies many health problems, and overdrying and cracks are almost always the result of insufficient care or negligence.

The problem of cracks on the hands is very common. Almost everyone can face them at any time in life. As practice shows, people usually try to get rid of cracks on their own and seek help from doctors in advanced cases. Let's try to figure out how to help this grief.

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Symptoms

The first signs that indicate the need to focus on the condition of your hands are dry skin, brittle and peeling nails, and clearly visible white Langer lines. If you notice one of these signs, you need to pay more attention to the nutrition and moisturizing of your hands than usual, because painful cracks may appear next.

Not only the skin but also the nail can crack, and it is difficult to predict what exactly will be damaged first. Perhaps it depends on the structure and direction of the damaging factors.

A crack in a fingernail can be the result of mechanical damage to the nail. It is difficult not to notice such damage and forget about it. Therefore, let us dwell on other reasons. Nails can be damaged by aggressive chemical environments (including nail polish). Defects in the form of cracks in fingernails can appear as a result of metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and decreased immunity due to acute and chronic systemic diseases, nutritional errors. Usually, then the damage affects all nails, although the process can begin with several more loaded ones. But if you look closely at other nails, you will notice that the nails look bad - they exfoliate, crumble, stripes and lines appear on them, the color has changed.

A longitudinal crack on the nail of the thumb can be caused, first of all, by some traumatic loads or contact of this particular finger with an aggressive substance (provided that all other nails are pink and shiny). The nail of one finger or several (any) can be infected with a fungus. Nail psoriasis leads to damage of all nail plates on the hands and feet, but the first signs can attract attention on one nail, which can be loaded more than others and therefore cracked earlier.

The localization of damage to the nail plate - a crack on the thumb, index fingers, on the middle finger is not a symptom of a specific disease. It is these most "working" fingers that are subject to maximum load, and therefore symptoms of trouble appear on them first.

Deep cracks between the fingers near the nails can appear in those who do not like to wear protective latex gloves when it is necessary to "rinse" in water for a long time, and sometimes even when working with chemicals. By the way, the skin of such people is good, strong and can withstand loads for some time. There are also plenty of excuses - it is uncomfortable, hands sweat, sensitivity and grip are not the same. In the end - the skin does not withstand, and painful cracks appear.

If such habits are absent, then cracks in the skin of the fingers near the nails may be one of the symptoms of endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders or fungal infection.

Hand washing without gloves, using cleaning agents, antibacterial soap can cause cracks between the fingers on the hand, on the palms. Fungus is often localized in the interdigital spaces, psoriatic rash is located on the back of the hand in the area of the bones and between the fingers.

Fungus (mycosis) of the skin of the hands can be caused by different pathogens. Candidiasis is the most common. It is localized in the spaces between the fingers, often the first signs appear in the groove between the middle and ring fingers - the skin begins to itch, redness appears, resembling diaper rash, on which cracks appear, bordered by a white coating. The skin in this area becomes rough and thickened, dries out and cracks deeper and deeper. Women who spend a lot of time doing manual labor associated with a humid environment and household chemicals are at risk.

Dermatophyte fungi can also colonize the skin between the fingers, often on one hand. The rashes are varied. These can be papules or vesicles, eczema-like spots - round, flaky, cracked. The skin itches. In addition to the hands, similar symptoms can be on the skin of the perineum and feet.

Cracks and peeling, dry skin between the fingers can be a symptom of eczema and contact dermatitis. The manifestations are similar in appearance, specialist consultations and laboratory tests are needed.

Cracks on the fingertips most often signal avitaminosis, which can develop with long-term diets, deliberate exclusion of certain foods, and an unbalanced diet. Vitamin and mineral deficiency often develops with chronic diseases, such as gastrointestinal tract, when the necessary substances come with food but are not absorbed. The fingers become rough and dry, the skin peels off in layers and cracks, but does not itch or turn red.

Itching, pain and bleeding of such cracks on the fingertips can be observed with eczema and fungal infections, hormonal disorders, other systemic pathologies and require diagnostic examination.

Cracks on the bend of the finger occur most often, since in this place, both from the outside and from the inside, the skin is most often subject to deformations - stretching and compression. Such defects most often indicate the adverse effects of external factors - moisture, wind, frost, dry air.

Cracks between the fingers and toes are already a reason to think about systemic impact, because external factors usually act locally. Such a location can be a symptom of palmoplantar psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques arise from single itchy red papules that tend to merge, rise above healthy areas of the skin, have a clear border and are covered with scales, which when scraped off, a drop of blood appears. Many small cracks appear inside the plaque, on dry scaly and thickened skin.

Hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, accompanied by the appearance of cracks on dry skin, is part of the symptom complex of Reiter's syndrome (inflammation of the urethra, joints and prostate gland). It mainly affects men.

Itching and cracks between the fingers are typical for allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, fungal infections. Fingers can itch and crack with psoriasis and eczema.

Blisters and cracks between the fingers can be symptoms of many infections. For example, infection with the herpes virus - the blisters itch a lot and appear on the upper phalanx near the nails, allergic vesicular rashes can be anywhere in contact with the irritant, the localization of strongly itchy blisters between the fingers is also characteristic of scabies infection. In all these cases, it is almost impossible to resist scratching, so cracks already appear as a result of mechanical damage to the skin in these places.

Subcutaneous blisters on the fingers and cracks can occur with diseases of the digestive organs, nervous and immune systems, sweating disorders and are called dyshydric eczema.

Cracks between the fingers of men occur for the same reasons as in women. Men's skin on the fingers is rougher than women's, but representatives of the stronger sex often do not pay due attention to hand care, and often engage in heavy physical labor, often outdoors. Therefore, they also encounter the problem of cracks on the fingers. In addition to insufficient care, men can become infected with a fungus, suffer from eczema, psoriasis and diseases of the internal organs. Chlamydia and food infections can lead to Reiter's syndrome, which develops mainly in men. Therefore, if intensive hand skin care does not produce results, it is necessary to seek medical help.

Cracks between the fingers of a child can appear as a result of external factors, since the natural hydration of children's skin is still imperfect, and children love to play with water - launch boats in puddles, build dams after the rain, make snowballs and snowmen in wet mittens or without them at all.

In addition, as a result of childhood infections - measles, rubella, chickenpox, infection with the Coxsackie virus, the skin on the hands can also suffer from dryness and cracking.

Atopic dermatitis often manifests itself as reddening of the hands and upper limbs. The skin itches, and the child scratches it, which leads to cracks and exudation. With a long course, dry hyperkeratosis occurs, the cracks deepen and cause a lot of discomfort.

Contact allergic reactions on children's skin also appear frequently - with plants and irritants.

Ichthyosis manifests itself already in infancy as increased dryness of the skin; Sjogren's syndrome is rare in adults, but children can also suffer from the primary form of this disease.

In children, the appearance of cracks on the fingers may be due to parasitic infestations, or, in other words, worms.

The above-described causes – diabetes, fungal infections, psoriasis and eczema, diseases of the digestive organs, vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency can lead to disturbances in skin elasticity and the appearance of cracks on the fingers in childhood.

Therefore, long-term non-healing painful cracks on a child’s fingers should definitely be the subject of research.

Diagnostics cracks between the fingers

The doctor will listen to the patient's complaints, examine his fingers, find out what events preceded the appearance of cracks, whether the patient has chronic diseases, and then prescribe laboratory tests. It may be necessary to do a clinical and biochemical blood test, for glucose content; general urine analysis.

A visual inspection of cracks is usually not enough. Scrapings are taken from the damaged skin surface, areas with cracks, and microscopic examination is carried out.

Dermatoscopy and immunological blood tests to identify allergens may be required. Examination of cracks in the light of a special lamp may be informative.

You may need to consult related specialists - an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, allergist, surgeon, and additional tests in their profile.

Instrumental diagnostics are also prescribed as needed and may include various studies depending on the causes of cracks - angiography of vessels and ultrasound examination of vessels, abdominal organs, thyroid gland. Based on the results of the examinations performed, differential diagnostics are carried out and a final diagnosis is established.

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Differential diagnosis

Psoriasis, eczema, allergic reactions, increased skin sensitivity due to vitamin deficiency must be differentiated from fungal infections. Chronic systemic diseases that manifest themselves as cracks on the fingers must also be recognized, since they must be treated by a specialized specialist.

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Treatment cracks between the fingers

Of course, if a disease is detected that has led to the formation of cracks on the fingers, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Complications and consequences

Cracks in the skin are the entry point for any secondary infection – fungi, staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pathogens. There is a possibility of suppuration, panaritium, which can be complicated by reactive lymphadenitis – inflammation of the elbow and axillary lymph nodes, and even sepsis. In case of complicated cracks, surgical treatment may be required – opening of the panaritium, incisions and drainage of the lymph nodes.

The cracks themselves are very painful and significantly reduce work capacity. It is painful to do any manual work, the cracks increase in size and may begin to bleed.

Sometimes, having tried different methods of treating wounds and not getting results, people wonder: How long does it take for a crack on a finger to heal?

There is no single answer. Uninfected cracks caused by external factors that are treated immediately after their appearance can go away in literally two or three days. More neglected ones require a period of time from a week to a month. This is provided that the external factors have been eliminated - a person wears gloves, nourishes and moisturizes the skin of the hands, uses healing products and generally reduces the load on the fingers.

Non-healing cracks between the fingers indicate that the reasons for their appearance are quite deep and you need to see a doctor. You should not wait long, if cosmetic procedures do not give noticeable progress - the cracks do not decrease in size and number, you need to seek help from a dermatologist.

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Prevention

It is much easier and wiser to avoid the appearance of cracks between the fingers, especially those that are not caused by chronic dermatoses. Although a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, no bad habits, moderate activity and adequate rest, strengthens the immune system and reduces the likelihood of any diseases.

Minimizing the harmful effects of external factors and proper hand skin care will help to significantly reduce the risk of cracks on the fingers even in people with naturally dry skin and diseases that lead to this.

For daily hand washing, it is necessary to use hypoallergenic products with neutral acidity and softening components. After washing, it is necessary to dry the skin of the hands well with a soft towel, not forgetting to blot the skin between the fingers. Use hand cream more often, and not just once at night, especially for people prone to dry skin.

In winter, the skin of the hands needs to be nourished using rich nourishing creams, in summer – moisturized and protected from sunlight with sunscreen creams. Don’t forget to occasionally pamper your calloused hands with masks and baths. Care should be regular, not occasional.

In cold weather, it is necessary to protect the skin on your hands with gloves or mittens. Avoid sudden temperature changes on the skin surface.

Work with water, detergents (even for dishes) in household rubber gloves. Wear gloves when working in the garden, doing repairs, doing other work around the house, where there is a risk of finger injury.

Separately about antibacterial agents. They have different intended purposes - washing hands, body, dishes. Sometimes their use is justified, but in no case permanently. Aggressive antibacterial detergents not only contribute to overdrying of the skin of the hands, but also destroy all microflora, both harmful and useful.

When the first cracks appear, you must immediately begin to eliminate them, and not start the process, then the treatment will not be long.

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Forecast

The appearance of cracks between the fingers can be completely avoided by taking care of this part of the body. And timely measures, if the hands are still cracked, will help eliminate this problem once and for all. Even if it is associated with internal diseases, then adequate skin care in combination with disease therapy will be rewarded with a positive result.