Although it usually happens during the winter time when the air is dry and cold, your hands can become damaged any time of the year. Dishwashing detergents, household cleaners and chemicals, even the chlorine in swimming pools can play a part in removing the natural oils from your skin. If you have dry skin anyhow, like I do, then your hands can really take a beating. To get relief from the pain and heal the damage, you need to know about some homemade treatments for rough, dry, cracked, bleeding hands.
There are plenty of products on the market you can buy to help repair your dry, cracked hands. But, whatever you rub on your skin is absorbed into your body. That means, all of the ingredients in these skin creams and lotions- including fragrances, dyes and chemicals- are drawn in to your bloodstream. That’s a scary thought! Using homemade treatments for rough, dry, cracked, bleeding hands is healthier for your skin and body, not to mention less expensive.
The most effective remedy that works for me is best used at bedtime. Soak your hands in a container of plain warm water for fifteen minutes. This step alone helps to rehydrate dry hands. Then, dab- don’t rub- your hands with a soft towel. Don’t dry your hands thoroughly, just dab them so they’re not drippy wet anymore.
Next, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly all over your hands. Make sure you cover every inch of skin from your fingertips to your wrists. And, make sure the jelly gets applied to the sides of your fingers- a place that’s often overlooked.
Finally, gently place a pair of soft, clean gloves onto your hands. Or, use a pair of wool socks if you don’t have gloves. When you wake up in the morning, your hands will still feel a bit greasy. To remedy this, gently wipe off the excess petroleum jelly with a clean, soft cloth or a tissue. You’ll find your hands will be moisturized and smoother to the touch. The bleeding will have stopped, and the cracks will have begun to heal.
Another homemade treatment for bleeding, cracked hands came straight from a medical doctor. He recommends holding skin cracks together and placing a tiny drop of Super Glue® on them. The glue will hold them closed and keep harmful germs and bacteria out while the body heals.
Instead of using petroleum jelly, after you’ve moisturized your hands with plain warm water, you can use a needle to prick several Vitamin E capsules. Gently rub the vitamin directly onto your rough, dry, cracked, bleeding hands.
If you have an Aloe Vera plant, you can use the healing juice of this plant to help heal your damaged hands. Simply break off a prickly leaf and rub the sticky juice onto your rough, dry, cracked hands.
In the meantime, while your hands are healing, wear protective rubber gloves when you wash dishes or anytime you work with household chemicals and cleaners. Protect them from the cold by wearing warm gloves. And apply a good moisturizer on them on a daily basis once they’re healed.
