With the arrival of cold, windy weather comes two nasty skin conditions: chapped lips and cracked fingertips. Chapped lips can stay with us all winter long, and they really hurt! Cracked fingertips are even worse. They can not only last for months but also cause severe pain that interferes with daily tasks. Prevention is the key to both conditions, but there are effective home treatments as well.
Under normal conditions, skin is like a rubber band—it can stretch and snap right back. The combination of lower humidity, colder temperatures and heated homes dries our skin out. Instead of snapping back, it cracks. Compounding the problem is the loss of natural skin oils from lip-licking, hand-washing and using hand sanitizers (a necessity these days).
In general, to keep skin healthy and well-hydrated, drink at least four glasses of water daily. Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Limit your showers to five to 10 minutes with warm, not hot, water.
To prevent and treat chapped lips, use a fragrance-free or hypoallergenic moisturizer, applying every two hours. Ingredients to look for are mineral oil, cocoa butter or castor seed oil. For extra protection, use a product with sunscreen (an SPF of 30 or greater). Avoid balms that contain camphor, eucalyptus or menthol, as those are irritants. And, of course, avoid biting or picking at your lips.
Because cracked fingertips heal very slowly, it’s best to take preventive steps. Wear winter gloves for protection outside and cotton-lined rubber gloves for any chore where your hands are in and out of water. Keep hand cream containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid in your garage, glove compartment, backpack or purse, and apply it at least three times daily. Have it next to your sink for use after each washing with mild hand soap. Effective brands include Eucerin, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula and Dove DermaSeries.
If you do develop a crack, don’t use duct tape or Krazy Glue! Apply a liquid bandage such as ElaSkin or New-Skin during the day to prevent it from worsening. At night, use an ointment like Bag Balm or A&D, then cover it with gauze and tape, or a white sock. Take Tylenol if needed.
Proper skin care can spare you months of discomfort! But if you do experience persistent swelling, pain or redness, or your skin is hot to the touch, make sure to see your medical professional.
How to Avoid Winter Pain
