Dry cracked hands in winter: a fix for tonight

3 minutes, then again after every wash. Costs a few cents.

Try this first (costs nothing extra): rinse your hands in lukewarm water, pat them dry, and put on whatever thick cream or ointment you already have while the skin is still a little damp. Do it again every time you wash.

Why hands crack in winter

Cold, dry air pulls water out of the skin. Hot water, frequent washing and strong soaps strip the oils that hold it in. Hands are washed more than any other part of you, so they crack first.

Tonight

1. Wash with lukewarm water, not hot.
2. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap, and only when you need it.
3. Pat dry. Do not rub.
4. Put on a thick cream or ointment while the skin is damp. Thick means you can barely pour it.
5. Wear cotton gloves to bed. They keep the cream on your skin, not your sheets.

During the day

• Keep a small tube by every sink.
• Wear gloves outside in the cold.
• Wear rubber gloves with a cotton liner for washing dishes. Water and detergent are drying.
• Use hand sanitiser only when you have no sink. It is drying.

If that does not work

If the skin is split, bleeding, itchy or red after a week of this, it may be a skin condition such as dermatitis. The NHS has a page on contact dermatitis, which can come from a soap, a cleaner or a metal. A pharmacist can suggest a treatment. A doctor can check it if it does not clear up.

See a doctor if the skin looks infected: pus, spreading redness, heat or fever. Do not use a strong scented product on broken skin.

Fix it, replace it or live with it

• Fix it: tight, rough, flaky hands.
• Replace it: your soap or cream if your skin stings after using it.
• Live with it: nothing. Cracked hands that last weeks need help.

If the same dryness shows up on your feet, see cracked heels. To choose between a cream and an oil, see body lotion vs body oil.