Q. Every winter my skin gets awfully dry and itchy. My hands and particularly my fingertips really suffer. At times they crack and bleed. I heard that you have written about solutions for these problems. I would be so grateful if you would send me any information you have.
A. As indoor heating systems come on, humidity drops. That may be why dry skin is worse in the winter. Washing hands frequently to avoid colds or flu also aggravates dry skin.
Readers have suggested a variety of solutions, including O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream, TheraSeal Hand Protection and Lotil Cream. Inexpensive farmers’ moisturizers such as Bag Balm, Corn Huskers Lotion or Udder Cream (an underwriter of our radio show) are also popular.
Cracked fingertips can be extremely painful and moisturizing isn’t always enough. Some readers use Chap Stick or liquid bandage on split skin. We are sending you our new Guide To Skin Care and Treatment with many other ways to help heal cracked fingertips, ease eczema and relieve itchy, dry skin.
