Cracked skin usually occurs when your skin is too dry. Dry skin will reduce the flexibility and pressure from daily activities, making it cracked. Cracked skin is not only painful, but can also lead to infection. It's important to treat chapped skin before it becomes a serious problem.
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Part 1 of 3: Caring for the Skin
Step 1. Check for infection
You should start by checking for signs of infection. If the area swells, oozes pus or blood, or feels very sore or painful, you should immediately visit a doctor or health clinic near you. Cracked skin is very susceptible to infection, and these infections require professional health care.
If you don't have health insurance (and live in the United States), find out a list of clinics for low-income people here. If you are in Indonesia, visit a local health center or a family doctor clinic that can tailor treatment to your budget
Step 2. Soak your skin with a disinfectant
Start the treatment of chapped skin by soaking your skin. Clean the bowl, bucket, or tub and fill it with warm (not hot) water. Pour some apple cider vinegar in it to help wash germs off your skin. Use about 1 cup of apple cider vinegar for every 3.8 liters of water. Soaking your skin with a disinfectant will help reduce the chance of infection in cracked skin.
Step 3. Gently exfoliate the skin
Gently scrub the cracked skin with a clean washcloth. In this way, dead skin cells will be removed and the care you give to the skin's surface will be absorbed better. Be sure to scrub the skin gently and use a clean washcloth.
Once the cracked skin has healed, you can exfoliate the skin using a harsher material, but this kind of treatment shouldn't be done more than once a week. Your skin is sensitive and should be treated with care
Step 4. Apply a layer of moisturizer
Rinse your skin again, and then apply a layer of moisturizer. You'll have to lock in the moisture in the skin that you get after soaking it, or you risk making it even more dry.
We recommend a lanolin moisturizer, but you can find out about other recommended moisturizers in the next section
Step 5. Apply a wet bandage overnight
If you have free time to treat your skin overnight, or on weekends for example, a wet bandage can help treat your skin, or at least make your skin feel more comfortable. A wet bandage consists of a layer of damp cloth inside a dry layer. So, for example, let's say the soles of your feet are cracked. Wet a pair of socks and then wring them out until the water is no longer dripping. Put on the wet socks, then cover them with dry socks. Sleep like this all night.
Do not use this treatment if you suspect that your cracked skin has become infected, as this can make the infection worse
Step 6. Wear a bandage throughout the day
For daytime treatments, apply a liquid or gel "bandage," or at least an antibiotic like Neosporin to the cracked skin. You can then protect the area with a sterile cotton swab and cover it with gauze. This will reduce pain and speed up the healing process of your skin.
Step 7. Keep it clean and protect chapped skin until it heals
Now, you just need to be patient waiting for your skin to heal. Be sure to keep chapped skin clean and protected to prevent further irritation. If the cracked skin is on the soles of your feet, put on clean socks and change them at least once (or twice) a day until they heal. If cracked skin is on the palms of your hands, wear gloves when outdoors and when working with your hands, such as washing dishes.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Skin Moisturized
Step 1. Get used to moisturizing your skin
Once the cracked skin has started to heal, the best option for you is to start taking long-term preventive measures to prevent this problem from recurring. Unfortunately, chapped skin is a skin problem that is better prevented than treated. Whatever moisturizer you use, make sure that you can use it in the long term on a regular basis, because this is the best way to prevent the same problem in the future.
Step 2. Look for lanolin cream
Lanolin, which is a wax-like compound obtained from wool-producing animals, is nature's best way to protect skin. If used continuously, you can apply it every two or three days to maintain the softness of your skin. However, the first time you use it, apply a lot at night and let it get absorbed into your skin.
Bag Balm is the most readily available brand of lanolin in the US, and is sold at most pharmacies
Step 3. Look for the right ingredients in other moisturizers
If you're not using lanolin, you'll need to know the ingredients in the moisturizer you're buying. You need a moisturizing product that contains the right ingredients to ensure that you get the right effect. Many moisturizers include ingredients that are natural and sound healthy, but may not actually help with your skin problem. You need to look for the following ingredients::
- Humectants, which will draw moisture into your skin. Examples include glycerin and lactic acid.
- An emollient that can protect your skin. Examples include lanolin, urea, and silicone oil.
Step 4. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer right after bathing or soaking the skin
After every shower or touch cracked skin with water, the layer of natural oils that protect your skin will be peeled off. Apply at least a little moisturizer after every shower, as well as every time you finish soaking your feet.
Step 5. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer at night
If you can, apply a generous amount of moisturizer before going to bed at night. During your sleep, the soles of your feet can absorb all the moisturizer provided, in addition, using a moisturizer at night will not interfere with your activities due to slippery skin. Apply a thick layer of moisturizer to the surface of your skin, and apply a protective layer over it while the moisturizer is absorbed into the skin.
If you have cracked skin on the soles of your feet, wear socks. If you have cracked skin on your hands, wear gloves
Part 3 of 3: Controlling the Cause
Step 1. Check for other health problems
There are many health problems that can cause extremely dry skin to look like this. You may need to check your health and make sure the problems are not affecting your skin. If you have a more serious illness, you need to treat it before your skin cracks and becomes infected, or before more dangerous symptoms develop.
- Diabetes is an example of a disease that commonly causes dry skin on the hands and feet.
- Talk to your doctor to find out if you have any other health factors.
Step 2. Preserve your natural oil coating
Your body will naturally produce oils that can help protect your skin and prevent it from cracking. However, showering the wrong way can strip this layer of natural oil from your skin and put you at risk of cracking. In general, you should avoid harsh soaps and hot water, as both will exfoliate your skin's oil layer.
If you soak the soles of your feet, do not put soap in the soaking water. Water and a washcloth are enough to clean it
Step 3. Protect your skin from the weather
As the temperature cools, the air will also dry out. Where you live may also be naturally dry. This dry air, naturally draws moisture out of your skin. Install a humidifier in your home or office, and wear socks and gloves when going out.
Your skin should also be protected from the sun, which over time can damage it and make it dry
Step 4. Change your shoes
If the cracked skin is mainly on the soles of your feet, you may want to take a look at your shoes. Shoes with open toes and poor cushioning can trigger chapped skin because they put more pressure on already sensitive skin. Wear tight shoes and make sure they are comfortable to wear.
Replace your shoes with jogging shoes, or at least use padding to protect the soles of your feet from pressure
Step 5. Drink more water
Dehydration can make your skin more prone to dryness, and if this is accompanied by improper washing and a dry environment, your skin will be more prone to cracking. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your body well hydrated.
How much water is needed depends on each person's condition. In general, if your urine is pale or clear, you are drinking enough water. But if not, drink more water
Step 6. Eat nutritious food
Your skin needs lots of vitamins and nutrients to grow healthily. You can improve the health of your skin by ensuring that nutritional deficiencies are not the source of your problem. Eat plenty of vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega 3 fatty acids to help supply your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Sources of these nutrients include: kale, carrots, sardines, anchovies, salmon, almonds, and olive oil
Step 7. Check your weight
Obesity and overweight are problems that are closely related to dry skin. If you can't deal with dry skin, but can't find any other health factors in your body, consider losing weight. Remember that chapped skin carries a serious risk of infection which can be very dangerous, and should not be underestimated.
Step 8. Talk to your doctor
Again, if you're worried that your cracked skin won't heal or gets infected, see a doctor or go to a clinic. This is a common problem, and there are many ways to deal with it. Your doctor should be able to help you determine if this problem can be corrected by starting a new habit, or whether certain medications are needed to prevent infection from occurring.
Tips
- Naturally dry skin or dry, thickened skin (callus) on the heel tends to crack easily due to heavy foot movement.
- Sandals or shoes with an open back allow the fat under the heel to spread to both sides and increase the chance of cracking the heel.
- Other diseases and disorders like athlete's foot, psoriasis, eczema, thyroid disease, diabetes and several other skin problems can cause cracked heels. Talk to your doctor for advice.
- Standing too long on hard floors at work or at home can cause cracked skin on the soles of your feet.
- Being overweight can increase the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel. As a result, the fat pad spreads out on both sides, and if skin elasticity is poor, this can result in cracked heels.
- Constant exposure to water, especially running water can strip the skin's natural oil layer and make the skin dry and rough. Standing in a humid place for too long like the bathroom can make your heels dry and cracked.
