Definition
Cracked fingertips (also called “Pulpitis sicca” in technical terminology) is a frequently protracted tendency to dry fingertips, which can tear in very dry places. It is also known as “dry fingertip eczema” and often causes problems for those affected in their everyday life. It occurs mainly in winter and can have various causes. Together with torn corners of the mouth or earlobes, it is a special form of neurodermatitis, which is one of the most common skin diseases.
Symptoms
The symptoms of “Pulpitis sicca” are small tears on the fingertips, which can usually be accompanied by an unpleasant feeling and also pain. This can lead to restrictions in everyday life. Deep tears can also cause bleeding.
In most cases, “Pulpitis sicca” is accompanied by extremely dry skin. If the skin is very brittle, the affected areas can also burst open. See also: Cracked skinThe fingertips are very sensitive, as there are many sensitive structures in the skin that enable us to have a good sense of touch.
Cracks in the skin of the fingertips can cause burning, unpleasant pain. Especially in winter, additional drying of the skin by cold air can be very painful. It is recommended to wear gloves.
Careful application of oily creams to the skin also provides relief for cracked skin. However, the cause of the painful cracks should first be clarified, so that deficiency symptoms or existing skin diseases can be treated, for example. The skin on the fingertips is one of the most sensitive and delicate parts of the human body because it is strongly supplied with blood and nerves.
This is also where most of the tactile receptors that humans need to feel are located. Even small tears and wounds in this area are perceived as very disturbing and restricting in everyday life, as the hands are needed for almost every activity. There are many different reasons and causes for these cracks and wounds on the fingertips, which do not necessarily apply to every person in the same way, as there are people who have more sensitive skin than others.
The familial predisposition of skin that dries too quickly is the main risk factor for cracked fingertips. In addition to this, there are other external influences that can be influenced by the job or everyday life, for example. Frequent contact with water, alkaline liquids or even detergents without protection by gloves causes the fingertips to dry out particularly quickly.
Working with acidic substances (such as lemons) also attacks the skin on the fingertips and promotes the formation of cracks. A lot of contact with wood or earth can put the skin under just as much strain. Another factor that affects the skin is cold: cold air causes the skin to dry out more quickly and thus promotes the formation of cracked fingertips.
Thus, problems with cracked fingertips occur more frequently in winter. Some fingers are affected more than others. The thumb, middle finger and index finger, which are used most often and in almost all gripping procedures, have a higher risk of developing dry, cracked skin than the little finger or ring finger.
Cracked fingertips can be an expression of vitamin deficiency. The symptoms of vitamin deficiency are often rather unspecific and difficult to assign to a specific vitamin. Especially slight deficiency symptoms are difficult to distinguish from each other.
A deficiency of various vitamins can lead to a generally cracked and dry skin. In particular, it is the vitamins A and C that lead to cracked fingertips in the case of a pronounced deficiency. However, a deficiency of these vitamins is more likely to cause other symptoms than cracked fingertips.
Among other things, vitamin A plays an important role in the function and structure of the skin and mucous membranes. A lack of vitamin A is a widespread problem, especially in developing countries. In addition to dry and cracked skin, it causes visual disturbances, iron deficiency, hair loss, kidney stones, fatigue and growth disorders, among other things.
Another vitamin is very important for the function and intactness of the skin, namely vitamin C. A vitamin C deficiency leads to a disease known as scurvy. In contrast to the developing countries, scurvy hardly plays a role in the western industrial nations nowadays.Due to the deficiency, skin cracks, small skin bleedings, gum bleeding, muscle pain and excessive horn formation of the skin are among the causes. Iron deficiency is particularly widespread in the female population.
An estimated 10% of European women of childbearing age suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, and in developing countries the figure is as high as 50%. Iron deficiency shows relatively characteristic symptoms, including fatigue, lassitude, paleness and dry and chapped skin. Cracked fingertips can certainly occur with iron deficiency.
Other accompanying symptoms such as brittle nails and a grooving of the nails are also typical and confirm the suspicion. Chronic bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency. In women, menstrual bleeding often causes an iron deficiency.
Also a lack of iron intake, for example through a vegetarian or vegan diet, can lead to iron deficiency. Cracked fingertips can also occur as part of an allergic reaction in the case of allergic contact eczema. When the hands come into contact with the triggering allergen, eczema develops, which leads to cracked and scaly skin, among other things.
Possible allergens include nickel, chromium and cobalt compounds, but also dyes, fragrances, latex and pesticides. Especially in chronic contact eczema, the skin becomes dry, flaky and tends to crack. Neurodermatitis is an inflammatory disease of the skin, which leads to very itchy and dry skin.
In principle, the skin symptoms of neurodermatitis, which present themselves as dry, scaly redness, can occur on the entire skin. However, there are frequent areas of the body where they appear. Therefore these body regions are called predilection sites.
Cracks on the fingertips can occur in the context of neurodermatitis and are more likely to be found in adults than in children. Fungal diseases of the skin usually do not lead to cracked fingertips. Typical are rather scaly, red, round skin appearances, which are dark especially at the edge and light in their middle. However, proper cracks in the fingertips are not caused by fungal diseases of the skin.
