How and what to treat cracks in the hands: healing creams and ointments

The appearance of cracks in the hands of the problem is not only painful, but also quite dangerous. It is inconvenient to treat such wounds, but letting things take their course, expecting that everything will pass by itself, is also risky. After all, the longer the wound heals, the greater the chance of infection penetrating into it. It is necessary to treat cracks in the hands, regardless of the reason that caused their appearance. Another thing is that in addition to the means for healing wounds, in some cases it will be necessary to take medicines to treat the underlying disease, it is possible to use folk remedies  prescribed by a doctor.

If the cracks are shallow, it will be enough to use cosmetics that have a softening and moisturizing effect on the skin, and in addition have an anti-inflammatory effect. Such tools will prevent the appearance of new cracks on dry skin and painful drying of the skin along the edges of the wound.

Creams and ointments that help from cracks in the hands, quite often contain herbal ingredients that have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect (extracts of chamomile, train, celandine, calendula). Such funds can be purchased both in the pharmacy and in the departments of cosmetics. Well, if the creams will also contain extracts of plantain, coltsfoot, propolis, pine needles, as well as wound healing and antibacterial essential oils (tea tree, grape seeds, sea buckthorn, jojoba, almonds, etc.).

Cosmetic creams are often enriched with skin-friendly vitamins (especially A and E) and fatty acids. These creams are very helpful to those whose body is depleted in nutrients. True, in addition to creams for vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to use vitamins for the oral intake of "AEvit", "Supradin", "Alphabet Cosmetic", "Vitrum Beauty", "Duovit", etc. The benefit now on the pharmacy shelves there is no shortage of vitamin complexes to help win vitamin deficiency.

If the wounds are deeper, then any healing ointment from cracks in the hands is useful to prevent their infection. We are talking about local pharmaceutical preparations with antibacterial and regenerating effect. These drugs include:

• "Levomekol" (antibiotic ointment used for the prevention and treatment of infected wounds),
• "Argosulfan" (has an antibacterial effect provided by silver ions),
• “Baneocin” (bactericidal ointment, which helps to overcome bacterial infection and promotes rapid healing of wounds, is used to treat long-term healing lesions on the skin in diabetes mellitus)
• "Boro-plus" (Indian antiseptic in the form of cream based on natural ingredients),
• “Rescuer” and “Preserver” (balsams, developed as an ambulance for hematomas, wounds and burns),
• "Vulnuzan" (natural wound-healing agent based on micro and macro elements),
• "Solcoseryl" (wound healing agent based on the blood of young calves),
• "Bepantin", "Pantoderm" and "D-panthenol" (products based on dexpanthenol, effective for wounds and burns),
• "Methyluracil" (agent with anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect, enhances local immunity, which prevents the reproduction of bacteria and fungi caught in the wound),
• Vishnevsky ointment, zinc and ichthyol ointment (budgetary, proven for many years funds that help in the healing of infected wounds),
• "SuperGlu" (cream with analgesic and wound healing effect)
• "Calendula Ointment" (wound-healing agent used for various thermal and mechanical damage to the skin), etc.

You can also purchase a special cream that forms a protective film over damaged skin and promotes rapid regeneration of the tissues under it. The cream has the name "FingerFiks". It is possible to protect a deep wound from infection with special medical glue (“BF-6”, “Sulfacrylate”).

To accelerate wound healing by improving cellular respiration and energy processes in tissues with cracks in the hands, Actovegin gel can be prescribed. Such local treatment is important for hormonal disorders and metabolic disorders, as well as if the skin of the hands is regularly exposed to negative factors, as a result of which it becomes dry, inelastic, and cracks appear on the hands.

Treatment of cracks in the hands, which appeared on the background of diseases of an allergic nature (dermatitis, eczema) and accompanied by severe itching, redness and swelling of the skin around the wound, is impossible without the use of antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs. Moreover, these drugs suggest peroral medication. Loratadine-based drugs (Loratadine, Lorizan, Claritin) are considered the most popular and safest today. But in appointments you can also often find plenty of well-known allergy drugs "Suprastin", "Diazolin" and some others.

These drugs help to reduce the severity of an allergic reaction due to inhibition of histamine receptors. In addition to these drugs, antipruritic agents are prescribed to help prevent the scratching of the cracks and their infection. Psilo-Balsam and Finistil gels, Gistan, Avekort and other creams are suitable for topical use.

Since local allergic reactions are always accompanied by inflammation of tissues that are not associated with the action of bacteria or fungi, the use of antibacterial ointments to relieve inflammation and heal cracks becomes irrelevant. In case of allergic pathologies, hormonal ointments that have an anti-inflammatory effect will be of great value (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Betamethasone, Lorinden, Lokoid, etc.). In severe cases, doctors resort to potent drugs (Advantan, Celestoderm, Dermoveit, etc.).

For dermatitis, eczema, ichthyosis, the doctor may prescribe an ointment that improves trophism (metabolism) of tissues and has antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and dermato-protective effects. These tools include ointment "Radevit", "Anekzem-cream", drugs "Psoriaten", "Akriderm", etc.

Psoriasis is a slightly different disease with skin manifestations and a relapsing course (like dermatitis or eczema). The pathogenesis of the disease, known to people for many centuries, still remains a mystery to doctors. However, over the years many methods have been accumulated to reduce the likelihood of relapse and increase the period of remission of the disease.

For the treatment of cracks in the skin caused by psoriasis, it is not customary to use hormonal anti-inflammatory ointments, as in allergic diseases, because their effect will be short-lived, and the side effects are sometimes quite serious to use the drug for a long time. Doctors give preference to non-steroid drugs from the category of antiseptics (salicylic, zinc, zinc-salicylic ointment) or use steroids in combination with local antiseptics (salicylic acid, chlorhexidine, etc.).

To combat the symptoms of psoriasis, and apply specific tools:

• Ointment "Dithranol" suspends the formation of foci of psoriasis,
• Anti-inflammatory ointment on the basis of tar ("Antipsorin", "Anthramine ointment", etc.),
• Oil-based products (Naftalan ointment, Losterin, etc.) that have multiple beneficial effects: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, resorbable, exfoliating, antipruritic, anesthetic.
• Antipors, Kartalin, Solipsor, Elif, Akrustal ointment based ointments with antimicrobial and resolving effects (also used for the treatment of eczema and dermatitis).
• Ointments containing an analogue of vitamin D, suppressing the division of keranocytes and the growth of psoriatic plaques ("Dayvoneks", "Psorkutan").

Cracks in the hands often tell us about fungal infections of the skin and nails. But the treatment of ringworm involves a completely different treatment regimen than dry skin, caused by the negative influence of the environment or such diseases as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis. Here, along with antiseptics, many of which have antifungal activity, local antimycotics are also used.

Among antiseptics, Chlorhexidine, Mimramistin, Iodinol, an iodine alcohol solution, brilliant green, potassium permanganate have antifungal activity. But many of these drugs have a drying effect, so you need to be careful with their use. Usually, antiseptics are used to disinfect cracks before applying antifungal ointments.

Antifungal agents for topical administration are prescribed strictly by a dermatologist. We will name only a few ointments that are effective with the fungus on the hands: Akriderm, Triderm, Exoderil, Candide, Miconazol, Pimafukort, Micoderil, Lamisil, Termikon, Nizoral and Others. Some of the above drugs are complex agents and include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal component, which is especially important in the case of secondary infection of the wound and reproduction of mixed microflora.

As a fungal infection prophylaxis (fungi and dermatophytes, which subsequently begin to actively multiply, causing inflammatory processes) can get into the skin crack formed for any reason, you can use Levomekol ointment, which also has antifungal activity, although it is active and not positioned. This tool prevents the infection of the crack and bacterial and fungal microflora.

If the appearance of cracks in the hands is associated with hormonal disorders, diseases of the endocrine system and metabolism, it is usually not limited to wound healing ointments and caring creams. Such treatment and even careful care of the skin of the hands will not bring the desired and lasting result, unless supported by measures to treat the underlying disease.

When an imbalance of hormones have to undergo a course of hormonal therapy (most often it is the reception of estrogen and phytoestrogens). For the treatment of diabetes mellitus, glucose-lowering drugs or insulin injections are used in combination with a low-carb diet.

Treatment of hypothyroidism includes:

• taking iodine-containing drugs and products rich in this trace element, anti-inflammatory therapy (a decrease in thyroid function usually occurs against the background of the inflammatory process in it),
• treatment of diseases of the brain (pituitary and hypothalamus) responsible for reducing the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland,
• hormonal therapy (replenishment of thyroid hormone deficiency),
• vitamin therapy (taking vitamin and mineral complexes),
• treatment of complications of hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones causes disruption in the work of many organs, so cardioprotectors and cardiac glycosides may be needed to maintain the functioning of the heart, estrogen-containing drugs to regulate the female reproductive system, nootropics and neuroprotectors in order to correct metabolic processes in the CNS, etc. .).

Treatment of pathology will last throughout the life of the patient. But it will help to normalize the metabolic processes in the skin and avoid recurrence of cracks in the hands.

For the treatment of hyperkeratosis on the hands, in addition to local glucocorticosteroids with trophic (exfoliating) effects, which we discussed when considering the treatment of allergic diseases, creams containing acids (salicylic, lactic, citric, etc.) and providing peeling-like actions (mechanical peeling shown only with keratinization of the skin of the feet). At the same time, the cause of keratinization of the skin is controlled and vitamins A and C are beneficial for the skin.

For cracks in the hands that form in areas of hyperkeratosis, also softening baths are added with the addition of salt, soda, or starch. After baths, it is necessary to apply moisturizers.

Physiotherapy can be prescribed not due to cracks in the arms or legs, but to relieve the symptoms of the underlying disease. So with skin pathologies such physiotherapy methods are shown, such as:

• darsonvalization (improves blood circulation, relieves pain and itching),
• electric (calms the nervous system and improves metabolism)
• UHF procedures and microwave therapy (used to fight infection, improve metabolic processes in skin cells),
• sulphide and radon baths (disinfect, relieve symptoms, soothe the nervous system, increase immunity)
• acupuncture.

All these methods should be applied with great care, since some of them are incompatible with others.

In the case of diabetes mellitus, such procedures as oxygen foam, hyperbaric oxygenation, therapeutic mud, various types of healing showers, fresh water baths, electrophoresis of zinc chloride, paraffin therapy, etc. Can be prescribed. But the treatment of such endocrine pathology, as hypothyroidism, involves the use of the following methods of physiotherapy treatment: massage procedures, electroplating of the thyroid gland, electrophoresis with iodine, climate and heat therapy (UHF), chloride, sulfide and sodium baths, wet body wraps.

As you can see, the various causes of cracks in the hands require an individual approach to solving the problem. And for this it is very important that the diagnosis was made correctly, which is impossible to do without special medical knowledge and qualifications.

Effective drugs

When, due to the impact of negative external or internal factors, the skin of the hands loses its elasticity and cracks appear on it, the first thing to be taken care of is the early healing of the wounds that have appeared and the prevention of new ones. The second problem is usually solved by applying creams with a moisturizing and softening effect, containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lanolin, and various oils. If such a cream also contains anti-inflammatory components (for example, plant extracts), then it will help not only to fight dryness and flaking, but also to heal small cracks in the epidermis.

Deeper cracks in the hands, which often cause significant discomfort, as they hurt a lot and often bleed, in addition to cosmetic care products, specialized wound-healing creams and ointments are required. It is just such an ointment that the pharmaceutical medicine "Bepanten" is.

"Bepanten" is a regenerating agent used for the prevention and treatment of irritations and minor lesions on the skin. Available in the form of a cream, ointment and lotion. The latter is used for burns, and for the treatment of scratches and cracks on the skin, it is better to use an ointment or cream (lanolin in their composition will further soften the skin), although in the presence of lotion you can use it.

The active ingredient of the drug is dexpanthenol. So called provitamin B5, which penetrates into the skin, turns into pantothenic acid, and it in turn improves the metabolism in tissues, stimulates energy production, positively affects the strength of collagen fibers and even causes the adrenal glands to produce glucocorticoids that suppress inflammatory processes in the body ( this action is especially noticeable with peroral oral vitamin intake). Thus, the drug pushes the body to heal itself.

There are no special restrictions on the dose of the drug when using it. It is applied several times a day on the area of the crack and is used until the wound heals completely.

All patients can use the drug if they do not have hypersensitivity to the drug components. It is allowed to apply for the treatment of wounds and burns in children, the elderly, pregnant women. In rare cases, the use of the drug is accompanied by the appearance of an itchy rash, which indicates an allergic reaction due to intolerance to some components of the drug.

Applying "Bepanthen" from cracks in the hands, you need to understand that it is not an antimicrobial agent, so before applying a cream, ointment or lotion, it is better to treat the wound with an antiseptic. If the crack turns red, poorly heals, or pus appears inside it, it is advisable to use a slightly different form of the drug - cream or spray Bepantin Plus, which is a combined agent containing the vitamin and antiseptic chlorhexidine. This drug can also be used in the treatment of infected skin cracks in eczema or fungal infections.

The drug can be used to treat patients older than 1 year, applying the tool to the area of the crack and around it once or several times a day. For the day you need to use no more than 5 g of the substance. Can be applied under dressings.

The main contraindication to the use of the drug is considered an intolerance to its components. The cream is allowed to use on a small area, even during pregnancy.

The drug can not be combined with other antiseptics. During the treatment period, it is better not to use soap solutions at the site of skin damage, not to mention washing powders and other household chemicals. For diseases of an allergic nature, the agent with an antiseptic is used only for the treatment of infected wounds.

The drug can cause allergic and anaphylactic reactions, if a person has hypersensitivity to its components.

Even more effective in the treatment of purulent lesions on the skin is the drug "Levomekol."

“Levomekol” is an ointment that combines the immunostimulating effect of mmetiluracil and the antimicrobial (plus antiviral and antifungal) effect of the broad spectrum antibiotic chloramphenicol. This tool is very often used to treat infected wounds, cracks, burn surfaces, while the presence of pus in the wound does not reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.

Chloramphenicol helps to effectively deal with various types of pathogenic microorganisms that have penetrated skin lesions, while methyluracil in Levomekol acts as a wound-healing component, which has an anti-inflammatory effect and promotes rapid tissue regeneration. Such a complex effect reduces the risk of scarring and scarring on the body.

The ointment can be applied to a wound or a piece of cotton and fixed with a bandage. It is usually enough to apply wounds to the cracks in the arms only once a day. 1 g of the drug contains only 7.5 mg of chloramphenicol, and the maximum daily dose of the antibiotic should not be higher than 3 g, so there are no big restrictions on the amount of applied ointment, because the area covered with cracks is usually small.

In most cases, the drug is well tolerated by patients of different ages, without causing pain and burning sensations. There is information about rare allergic reactions to the drug.

Do not prescribe "Levomekol" only with the individual intolerance of its components. Has not taken this ointment to treat and places affected by psoriasis. Some sources say that it is also undesirable to apply ointment in case of fungal infections of the skin, but there is multiple information that the medicine has proven itself in the treatment of mycoses complicated by a bacterial infection.

In the treatment of diseases of allergic nature and cracks in the skin caused by an unusual reaction of the body to cold and household chemicals, lasting results can be obtained if such reactions are prevented in the future. And this is only possible with the help of antihistamine drugs. The local corticosteroids help to remove the symptoms of irritation and inflammation of the skin.

One of the most effective corticoids for local application is considered to be Lorinden ointment, which exists in two forms:

• "Lorinden A" on the basis of flumetasone corticosteroid, which has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect, and exfoliating agent in the face of salicylic acid is used when cracks appear on the skin, not complicated by bacterial infection.
• “Lorinden C”, in addition to flumethasone, contains the antimicrobial component clioquinone, which is also effective for fighting fungi and dermatophytes, and therefore is used to treat infected wounds or to prevent infection if it is not possible to maintain the sterility of the wound surfaces.

The drug can be used for strong cracks in the skin due to irritation with chemicals, for the treatment of wounds in dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis (very carefully, because hormonal drugs can cause a relapse of the disease).

Apply a thin layer of ointment to the area of the crack once or twice a day. It is possible to use an ointment under an occlusive dressing, especially if excessive keratinization of tissues is noted, but in this case it is necessary to ensure that there are foci of atrophy or necrosis of the epidermis.

If the ointment is used daily, the treatment should last no more than 14 days. The maximum consumption of the drug is 1 tube per week.

The drug is intended for the treatment of patients older than 12 years, but for the treatment of single lesions on the skin it is allowed to apply even at a younger age after consulting a doctor. It is undesirable to use glucocorticosteroids (even externally) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ointment "Lorinden" do not apply with hypersensitivity to their components. It is undesirable to use them in viral, fungal and bacterial infections of the skin, the pathogens of which are not sensitive to the effects of salicylic acid or clioquinol.

Hormonal ointments, although intended for external use, require special care to themselves. It is not recommended to use them for a long time and in large areas of the skin, especially if you consider that the medicine gets on the damaged skin and can be absorbed into the systemic circulation.

Among the local side effects caused by the use of the ointment, in addition to allergic reactions are: peeling of the skin, burning on it, increased itching, atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue, impaired skin pigmentation, etc.

If you apply an ointment for a tight dressing that blocks air, or for treating children, systemic reactions may appear in the form of:

• increase blood pressure and glucose levels in the blood and urine,
• edematous syndrome,
• violations of the coordinated work of the adrenal glands, pituitary and hypothalamus,
• neurological disorders due to the neurotoxic effect of the antimicrobial component in Lorinden C ointment.
• the emergence of Cushing's syndrome (increased production of adrenal hormones provokes obesity with a bright blush on the cheeks, enhanced growth of body hair, the appearance of bluish stretch marks on the skin - stretch marks, headaches, increased blood pressure, osteoporosis symptoms, etc.),
• children may experience growth and development retardation.

Independently apply hormonal ointment for the treatment of cracks in the hands is not recommended.

Only a doctor can determine which ointment and in what dosage to prescribe to the patient when such a symptom occurs.

Any crack, and especially deep, requires special care, which is aimed at preventing infection from entering the wound. There are special tools to help in this difficult matter. Still, a bandage on the finger or a bandaged palm is not the way out, because such methods do not contribute to the preservation of sterility of the wound tissues and their speedy healing.

Medical adhesive "BF-6" is a very convenient tool for cracks in the hands, because it allows you to cover the wound with a film resistant to mechanical and chemical damage that protects against the penetration of microbes and irritants. The drug can be used to treat small wounds in patients older than 1 year.

Before you apply the drug on a crack, you need to thoroughly wash and treat the inner surface of the wound with an antiseptic, after which it is dried using sterile cotton wool. Now it is possible to apply a thin layer of glue on the crack and on the tissue around it, which will protect the skin from irritation and accelerate the healing of the wound. No glue dressing is necessary.

After applying the adhesive to the crack in the skin, you need to wait about 5 minutes until a strong film is formed. This film will hold on the skin for 2-3 days, after which, if necessary, glue is applied again, making sure that no pus appears in the wound. If the film was damaged for some reason, a new layer of glue is applied on top of it.

Side effects of the drug a little. Usually, it all comes down to allergic reactions to the components of the glue, which happens in case of hypersensitivity to them.

"FingerFix" - another, judging by the reviews, an effective and useful tool when a crack appears on the hands. The cream is designed specifically to protect the tissues of cracks and cuts on the hands, caused by a deficiency of vitamins in the body or exposure to negative environmental factors from infection. The tool forms on the skin a thin protective film that helps the wound to tighten in a short time.

This multi-component drug resembles a paste that forms a durable film when exposed to water. Thus, the cream should not only be applied to the crack and sealed with a free finger, but also slightly moisten the surface, wetting it with water using the same finger. On top of the cream you need to put a bandage or use a plaster, which must be removed immediately before the next use of the drug.

Cream on the damaged area can be applied once or twice a day. If necessary, the number of applications can be increased. The course of treatment of small wounds usually does not exceed 3 days, but it is still recommended to apply the cream until the wound is fully tightened.

The cream is not used in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components of the complex means, as well as for the treatment of burn surfaces.

The use of "FingerFix" may be accompanied by the appearance of rashes and irritation on the skin, which will indicate a hypersensitivity to the drug or an allergic reaction to the drug.

Usually, there are no problems with the purchase of drugs for treating cracks in the hands. Some of the above drugs are already available in home first-aid kits in case of injuries and damages, while others are almost always on the shelves of pharmacies. But before contacting potent drugs with an antibiotic or hormonal ointments, you still need to discuss the feasibility and safety of such treatment with a specialist physician (dermatologist or therapist). This will help avoid unpleasant surprises from your body.

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