Whether they’re washing, walking or working, our hands and feet are always on the front line of our lives – so it’s no wonder they dry out from time to time!
Whether you’re looking for the best hand cream for dry cracked hands, a few tips on how to prevent dry skin on your feet, or any advice on how to lock in that moisture, read on for a helping hand from the experts at Epaderm.
What are the causes of dry skin on your hands?
If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘why are my hands so dry?’ you’re certainly not alone – it’s a really common place for skin to dry out. And when you think about it, it’s pretty obvious why! More than anywhere else on our body, our hands are nearly always busy doing something – so it’s understandable that these constant actions would take their toll.
Here are some of the most common dry skin on hands causes:
❄️Weather: it’s safe to say most of us have seen our hands dry out when the seasons change to autumn and winter – and it’s all because of the cold, dry weather. The lack of moisture in the air draws moisture from the skin, and our hands are the first to feel the effects! The same thing applies to air conditioners, so you may experience dry skin on your hands if you’re often in an air-conditioned environment.
🧼 Handwashing: since the pandemic, we’re all well aware of how much extra handwashing can dry us out! All that soap and water strips the hands of their natural moisture. And unlike with other areas of the body, washing our hands isn’t something we can really avoid or reduce - particularly for people who work in a medical or food preparation environment.
🧪Products and Chemicals: it could be something as simple as washing up liquid, detergent, hand wash, or stronger chemicals associated with working in hair salons or factories. All these products can have an impact on the skin’s protective barrier, so they could all be potential rough dry hands causes.
🏥 Medical Conditions: some conditions like diabetes and lupus affect the blood flow to our hands which can make them dry, and hypothyroidism can also cause skin to feel a little scaly. But one of the biggest medical causes of dry hands is eczema. Hands are one of the most common areas for a flare-up because of everything we’ve mentioned above, and the condition often affects the palms and backs of the hands.
What are the causes of dry skin on your feet?
Our feet may not be on show as much as our hands, but they have just as much to deal with – mainly getting us to where we need to go! They support our entire body weight and are constantly under pressure or friction.
On top of this, they have much fewer oil glands than the rest of the body (especially in the heels and soles), so they don’t get the same natural hydration either.
This – along with these key dry skin on feet causes – all add up to some heels and soles in need of hydration:
👣 Spending lots of time on your feet: we know it’s obvious, but people who spend lots of time walking, running, dancing or simply standing up are much more likely to get dry skin here.
👞 🧦Shoes and socks: our feet naturally get hot when they’re all bundled up in shoes and socks, which causes water loss and leads to dryness. And if you’re wearing shoes which don’t fit you that well (which we’re all guilty of), the places where your toes or the sides of your feet rub will also dry out.
❄️☀️Weather: just like our hands, our feet get thirsty when the cold, dry weather sets in – and they sweat even more in the summer! This means they can become dry in all seasons.
🚿 Washing: we may not wash our feet as much as our hands, but any products we use in the shower trickle down and can cause dryness here too – as can showering in water that’s too hot.
🏥 Medical Conditions: similar to our hands, diabetes can affect the feet too – and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are just as likely to crop up here as they are on other parts of the body. On top of this, there are many foot-specific ailments like Athlete’s Foot and fungal infections which have a direct impact on drying out the skin here
How do I prevent dry hands and feet?
Dehydrated hands and feet are a lot to do with your lifestyle – so there are a few simple changes you can make to keep them happy.
How to help prevent dry skin on your hands:
- Wear gloves while cleaning or using any other chemical products.
- Avoid harsh, fragrance-heavy soaps, bubble baths or shower gels.
- You can help prevent dry hands in winter by wearing gloves outside – and inside, place a damp towel on a warm radiator to increase humidity.
How to help prevent dry skin on your feet:
- Make sure your shoes are comfortable and fit properly.
- Pat feet dry rather than rubbing them vigorously.
- Wear soft, breathable and moisture-wicking socks.
As well as these specific hands and feet tips, there are plenty of ways you can help keep skin hydrated in general – drink lots of water, take shorter showers and baths, and wash with water that’s warm, rather than hot.
What’s the best treatment for dry hands and feet?
All the little actions described above can make a big difference to your skin, but there’s one other essential that’s the best treatment for dry cracked hands and feet – moisturiser.
We’re all used to moisturising our bodies after a bath or shower, but as hands and feet are always being washed, rubbed, socked and stood on, they’ll need moisturising that bit more regularly. And as you’ll need to reapply so often, it’s important to choose a moisturiser you can rely on. Enter Epaderm.
If you’re looking for the best hand cream for dry hands, Epaderm Cream is a great option. Gentle enough to use multiple times a day, but hydrating enough to really get that moisture in, it’s lightweight and fast-absorbing – perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to waft your hands around waiting for cream to dry!
Even better, it’s proven to moisturise and soften in just 2 weeks, and comes in a handy (pun intended!) 50g pot for taking with you to work, school or on a day out. All this and more make it a great hand cream for dry hands.
Or if you’re after the best way to get rid of dry skin on your feet, Epaderm Ointment is a great option. Rich and hydrating, it’s much more intense than the cream – so really gets to work on the thick, dry skin around the heels and toes. Rub it on before you go to bed or settle down on the sofa for a big TV marathon, pop on a pair of socks to trap the moisture in, and let the ointment do its work as the best treatment for dry skin on your feet.
Moisturising cream is essential in treating dry skin, but if regular application of an over-the- counter option like Epaderm isn’t working, the best hand treatment for dry hands (or feet) could be from a doctor.
Severe dry skin – particularly if it’s a symptom of eczema or psoriasis – might need a prescription cream, or even the help of UV light therapy. If you’re worried about super dry skin on your hands and feet, speak to your doctor to see how best to hydrate.
So there’s your helping hand! Follow these tips to stay hydrated from your fingers to your toes – and don’t forget your pot of Epaderm for whenever you need to reapply.
References:
Dry Hands: 10 Remedies, Causes, and More (healthline.com)
Hand Eczema | About and Treatments | Eczema.org
Dry Skin and Foot Problems - The Causes and How to Eliminate Dry Skin (feetbypody.com)
What causes dry skin? And how to treat it | Livi UK
https://www.verywellhealth.com/coping-with-dry-cracked-feet-1337642
