Cracks in the skin that won't heal

W

wynn

˙
Valued Senior Member
I have small cracks in the skin on my left middle finger, on the back side of the last joint before the nail. It started out with a small crack in the skin that took a long time (more than a week) to heal. Then more and more of such parallel wounds appeared, as if they would be finely cut, refusing to heal, and itching. I applied a greasy facial and body cream, desinfected, but it didn't really help. I went to the pharmacy, got a gel that helped for a few days, and some of the wounds healed - but then next to them, new ones appeared, wider and deeper, and they refuse to heal. As you can see in the picture.
The skin is hardened, it itches (and my finger is a bit swollen).


Is there anything I can try out, home-remedy wise, to heal this?


crackedskin.jpg
 
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Sorry can's see the picture Signal. I would try some antifungal cream you can get over the counter. Be sure to wash your hands every time you touch something. Try not to touch your face or other parts of your body..smile..taking a piss could be contagious..smile. But try antifungal cream as well as something for the inflamation. 1% hydrocortisone cream may help as well. If it doesn't go away and gets worse you may really want to visit a doctor. Good luck..
 
Why not just go to a doctor? They now have small clinics everywhere even inside Walgreen stores that also could help you out. Even Pharmacists could help you for free if they feel like it. Anyway the bottom line is that you should see someone that is associated with medicine rather than here just to be on the safe side.
 
as cosmic said go see a doc but just to satisfy my own curiosity when you press on the finger so that it goes white, how long does it take for the skin to get its colour back? less than 2 seconds, 2 sec or longer than 2 seconds?

this is called cap refill and its an indicator of perfusion and poor perfusion means poor ability to heal
 
Signal said:
...Is there anything I can try out, home-remedy wise, to heal this?...
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My husband gets cracks in his finger tips as well. Before he goes to sleep, he slathers then in Vaseline and puts on cotton gloves. I suppose a medicated ointment would work better.
 
Asguard said:
as cosmic said go see a doc but just to satisfy my own curiosity when you press on the finger so that it goes white, how long does it take for the skin to get its colour back? less than 2 seconds, 2 sec or longer than 2 seconds?

this is called cap refill and its an indicator of perfusion and poor perfusion means poor ability to heal
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Less than one second. My other wounds heal fine.
 
You're skin looks dry as fuck.

Eat lots of fats (varied), drink a lot of water, and use some really good moisturizer. Skin cracks only when it is dry. If your skin is continually dry it's because your skin doesn't have what it needs to hold on to moisture long enough to heal.
 
do you live in the desert?

does your work involve working with chemicals?

or are you always getting your hands wet with work?
 
cosmictraveler said:
Why not just go to a doctor?
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I have had bad experiences showing such small wounds to doctors. They just don't take them seriously.
Sure I'll eventually go to see a doctor if necessary, but I have given myself a week to try out some home remedies first.
Also, talking about these things helps, as I know better what to ask the doctor or what to tell him.
 
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Absane said:
You're skin looks dry as fuck.

Eat lots of fats (varied), drink a lot of water, and use some really good moisturizer. Skin cracks only when it is dry. If your skin is continually dry it's because your skin doesn't have what it needs to hold on to moisture long enough to heal.
Click to expand...

The only really fat thing I eat is butter. Occasionally some nuts and sunflower oil.
I don't eat meat or eggs, and grains and vegetables don't contain much fat. But I do drink milk.

I apply a greasy handcream several times a day, but my skin still gets dry quickly.


PieAreSquared said:
do you live in the desert?

does your work involve working with chemicals?

or are you always getting your hands wet with work?
Click to expand...

No, I live in an area with a medium wet continental climate, but I am indoors most of the time.

For working with chemicals (detergents) and for washing the dishes, I use latex gloves.
 
have you tried corn huskers lotion? It has a lot of Glycerin in it and absorbs real quick.. doesn't leave your hands all greasy
 
PieAreSquared said:
have you tried corn huskers lotion? It has a lot of Glycerin in it and absorbs real quick.. doesn't leave your hands all greasy
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21qUJdkBx4L._SL500_AA200_.jpg


I've heard that stuff works. I've tried it but its like rubbing glue on your hands. It didn't leave my hands greasy, it left them sticky.

How about Bag Balm? Its what is put on cow udders since they are exposed to a lot of harsh weather.
r_can.jpg
 
The only proven solution to cracks in the skin is the application of the saliva of male rodents to the area with cracks in the skin.
 
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