Brittle hands

Introduction

With brittle hands, the skin is too dry, so that it first becomes flaky and then cracked. The skin barrier is disturbed either by too little liquid or too few lipids.

Causes for brittle hands

There are numerous risk factors that favour the development of brittle skin. In addition to age and a limited immune system, UV damage and mechanical stress are among them. Frequent contact with water and excessive use of degreasing soap dry out the skin as well as stress or strong temperature changes.

This explains why many people only suffer from brittle hands in winter. People who come into contact with disinfectants are particularly at risk. These have a strong drying effect.

In addition, there are pre-existing conditions that promote dry skin. These include, among others:

  • Psoriasis
  • Neurodermatitis
  • Diabetes mellitus

Neurodermatitis (synonym: atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema) is a disease of the skin which also occurs in children. Causes are disturbances of the immune function of the skin barrier as well as an inherited component.

Typically, the skin is very dry, causing severe itching. Normally, it is not only the hands that are affected by atopic dermatitis, but mainly the flexed sides such as elbows, the back of the knee and the neck. Psoriasis (synonym: psoriasis) is also an inflammatory disease of the skin, which is mediated by the immune system and genetic factors.

Usually the extensor sides of legs and arms, the head and buttocks are affected. In rare cases, however, the hands are also covered by cracked, brittle plaques. In addition, the so-called aging skin can also be responsible for brittle hands. The term aging skin refers to the tendency of the skin to wrinkle, dryness, itching and inflammation.

Symptoms of brittle hands

Besides the obvious change with scales and cracks, pronounced brittle hands can also itch, tighten or be reddened. The risk of developing eczema or infection is increased. Eczema is inflammation of the skin.

The skin is warm and reddened, itches and burns. There are many causes for the development of eczema. One of them is the disturbed barrier function of the skin, as is the case with brittle hands.