Dry, cracked winter hands

[RN ColbyJack]

Any helpful hints for treating and preventing dry, cracked winter hands? All the handwashing has left mine dry with cracks along the nail beds. They look terrible, hurt like crazy, and probably leave me prone to infection. Please help!

Sorry if this is a repeat thread.... I haven't logged on in a while. :)

[missfixit]

Try Neutrogena hand cream- norwegian formula. It has hepled me dramaticly! Especially, use it at night before going to bed.

Hope this helps, dry cracked hands are painful!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Here are a couple threads on the topic:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/winter-hands-23318.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/dry-hands-183985.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/my-hands-mess-lotion-170133.html

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Ask your wound care nurse. Ours recommends the butt cream our pediatricians order for infants. It is a special compound of aquaphor, lanolin and glycerin. Really, just a moisture barrier. Moisture begins inside, so drink plenty of water too.

[michigooseBSN]

Lanolin ! It works wonders.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

Try A & D ointment. Put on cracks. Cover with bandaids overnight and they will feel MAAAAVELLOUS the next day.

[RNMom2010]

I use the shea butter in the little round container from Bath and Body Works. A residents family gave them out last Christmas for us and it is so soothing and stays moisturized for quite some time.

[RN1989]

Paint your cuticles several times a day with almond oil. Generously use Cornhuskers lotion on hands when you can get by with not trying to open door knobs for a little while.

[All_Smiles_RN]

I know all about the dry chapped cracked hands... I avoid using the alcohol sanitizer in the doorway and opt for good old fashioned hand washing at work ;-) At home I use hand soap with moisturizers (like Dove) and moisurize frequently (Eucerin is my fave). Avoid the scented perfumed stuff. For a good overnight mouisturizer, load your hands up with some vaseline and wear gloves.

[fultzymom]

My kids get really chapped hands in the winter time. I like to put A&D ointment on them and have them sleep with gloves on their hands. I find that it works really well. A&D ointment is also really good for any kind of dry, scaly skin. We use it here at work all the time.

[nitewarrior]

VAseline and socks(on your hands) at bedtime for red and chapped. Neosporin and socks if cracked open

[CrispyRN]

I agree with the neutrogena hand cream. Even just the irritation of washing and that horrible alcohol sanitizer chaps mine. I put this on several nights in a row and it relieves the redness and dryness. Put it on before you go to bed.