Chapped hands are a result of very dry skin, occurring as a result of reduced moisture, or water, content of the skin. The surface of the skin holds a certain amount of water. When the water content decreases, the skin becomes dry, itchy, and uncomfortable.
Most of us have our pet peeves about our hands. Some have dry coarse hands; others have cold clammy hands. Some have soft thin delicate hands where the skin tears easily. A little knowledge would help you to exposed to minor cuts, burns and bruises in the kitchen or while doing chores..
Symptoms of Dry, Chapped Hands:
Hands that are chapped usually have the following characteristics:
Roughness
Dryness
Redness
Peeling
Cracking
Sensitivity
Tenderness
Causes and risks Factors:
Some individuals have a genetic predisposition to dry skin. Their skin tends to become drier, with age.
Dry air, resulting from winter's low humidity and the use of indoor heat, can cause skin to dry out.
Long, hot baths and showers can also make skin dry.
Factors that increase a person's risk of chapped hands include the following:
Frequent hand washing, which may be associated with the person's job
Prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather
Sunburn or windburn
Allergic reactions to skin care products
History of a skin disorder, such as eczema
If chapped hands are left untreated, the person may have -difficulty doing things without wearing protective gloves,
recurrent skin conditions such as outbreaks of eczema or skin inflammation,
infections, which may occur when bacteria enter cracks in the skin
Here are some household tips to rectify the problem.
SUGAR AND OIL:
Take 3 tablespoons of sugar, one tablespoons of oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or almond oil will do). Mix the sugar and oil, beat to a blended consistency. Rub into the hands. Keep rubbing for 5 -7 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. The dead coarse skin is removed and the hands appear soft and clean.
HONEY LEMON JUICE AND OIL: Take one-teaspoon oil (any oil, vegetable oils, olive oil or almond oil will do), one teaspoon lemon juice, one tablespoon rose water. Mix well together. Rub over crusty elbows, knuckles and other hardened areas. Keep rubbing it in, then after 5 - 7 minutes rinse off. This not only nourishes the skin, but also keeps it soft.
POTATO JUICE:
Take two potatoes, peel and grate them. Extract juice of these potatoes. Apply all over the hands, especially over the knuckles and finger joints. The potato juice can also be applied over scars left by wounds, cuts or burns. If used regularly, it helps to eliminate these scars and lightens dark areas around the knuckles and finger joints.
ONION JUICE:
You can relieve minor kitchen burns on the hand just by rubbing a raw onion on the burn. Take an onion, cut it into half and rub on the burned area. It immediately reduces inflammation and relieves pain.
COLD MILK: Did you know that blisters on the hands while cooking, can be cured with a cold milk compress if applied immediately? Put some cold milk on the blister; dab it two or three times on the blisters. It soothes immediately and actually aids healing..
What can be done to prevent the symptom?
Women subject to dry skin should soak thoroughly while bathing or showering. However, they should limit the amount of soap they use and the length of time they're exposed to the water. Some, may be able to use mild, moisturizing soap all over the body. A few need to limit soap use to the underarms and genitalia.
After patting the hands dry with a towel, apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers coat the skin with oil, block evaporation of the skin's natural moisture and trap water in its surface. While they can't cure dry skin, moisturizes provide protection, relieve the dry, itchy feeling and reduce the tendency to crack. Although most of the water in the cream or moisturizer evaporates, the oil stays on as a lubricant, enabling the skin to retain moisture.
The best way to avoid chapped hands is to keep them well dried, protected from the cold and wind, to wear cotton-lined vinyl gloves for wet work (rubber can cause allergies) and frequently apply hand creams to moist skin. If the problem persists, consult a dermatologist, who may prescribe creams containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea to get rid of dead skin and minimize itching...
