Symptoms

Cracked hands usually feel very dry and rough, parchment-like or paper-like. Fine cracks, reddened skin areas, small pores and an overall pale appearance (compared to rosy healthy skin) are part of the skin appearance of cracked hands. The symptoms are usually aggravated by heat or cold.

Typically, a feeling of tension occurs, the skin flakes and itches, pain and open wounds can occur. In pronounced cases, chapped hands lead to a so-called desiccation eczema, which is characterized by fine reticular cracks, redness and abrasions of the skin. The skin is inflamed and pathogens such as bacteria or fungi can easily penetrate.

After bathing or showering, this often leads to severe burning or itching. These severe cases of chapped hands are particularly common in small children, elderly people and people with skin diseases such as neurodermatitis. People with sensitive skin develop chapped hands or dehydration eczema, especially in winter.

Causes

The skin on the hands is relatively thin and sensitive, especially since it is normally very stressed. The hands are constantly exposed to environmental influences, which is why they can react quickly to external influences with redness, itchy skin rashes or cracked, brittle skin. The skin’s natural acid mantle can be damaged by a variety of factors such as cold, heat, pollutants, sunlight or air conditioning.Washing hands too often or the frequent use of soaps and cleansers also attacks the skin’s natural barrier and makes hands more vulnerable.

If the skin is not adequately replenished with liquid and oil through appropriate care, chapped and dry hands occur, with unpleasant feelings of tension. In addition, the loss of function of the protective acid mantle increases the risk of inflammation and allergies. Poor nutrition or insufficient fluid intake can also lead to chapped hands.

A number of other factors, such as hormonal influences (e.g. menopause), stress and other psychological burdens, as well as alcohol and nicotine consumption, can manifest themselves in rough, dry and cracked hands. In some cases, genetic factors are also involved in the development of chapped hands. The risk of chapped hands also increases with age, as the skin produces less fat and stores less moisture over the years.

In addition, chemical or physical influences play a role in cracked hands, for example in the household or at work. Chemical substances, detergents and cleaning agents as well as paints and solvents attack the skin on the hands and can lead to rough, chapped hands. One should not ignore the fact that certain diseases can also lead to cracked hands.

Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis, contact eczema or fish scale disease (ichthyosis) often show a lack of fluid in the body and in the skin, which is expressed in brittle and cracked hands. Diabetes mellitus or hypothyroidism can also change the appearance of the skin and result in chapped hands. Both fungi can cause cracked skin and cracked skin can promote a fungal infection.

On healthy skin of the hands there are usually fungi that do not damage the skin. If there are favourable conditions for the fungi to grow, for example if the hands are very sweaty, the fungi can multiply. The same applies to excessively stressed or cracked skin of the hands.

Consequently, they can penetrate the skin and cause fungal infections. The most common pathogens, which preferably attack the skin on the hands, are filamentous fungi. These are also known as dermatophytes.

A hand fungus is called Tinea manuum in the technical jargon. It can be transmitted from person to person. A self-transmission is also possible.

A fungal infection can, inexplicably, also initially only occur on one hand. If a fungal infection is present on another part of the body, parts of the fungus can collect under the fingernails. This fungal material can be spread on the same hand or on the other hand or other parts of the body.

A hand fungus can lead to rashes, skin softening and cracked skin. In most cases, itching accompanies the fungus. Since hand fungus is contagious, conscientious adherence to hygiene measures is necessary.

It must also be treated. A visit to the doctor is especially recommended in case of already existing immune deficiency. Basic diseases, in which hand fungus can occur more frequently, are for example diabetes, HIV infections and certain cancers.

Disinfectants can cause cracked skin. Especially if disinfectants are used frequently, it is recommended to cream the hands regularly after disinfecting. In addition, a cream with a high fat content should be used at night.

Different authors recommend different products. In the meantime, there is also a range of different disinfectants, some of which have been developed for very sensitive skin. If the hands need to be disinfected frequently, a consultation with a specialist is recommended.