How to Help Cracked Fingertips Get Better

The colder it gets, the dryer it gets, and the more skin cracks on fingertips, knuckles, and heels. Basically the skin dries out and shrinks, opening up fissures and cracks.
Dryness worsens when we deplete our skin oils by frequent hand-washing.
(Don’t quit washing the hands in the germy season, but cover up with gloves for warm hands, less washing.)

7 tips to repair split skin:

Liquid bandage – If the skin is already split and hurts like the devil, paint on a liquid bandage like New-Skin.
Some people use super glue. But in a deep crack, super glue might be toxic. (You may not want super glue chemicals straight into your bloodstream.)
New-Skin smells like clear fingernail polish to me. It might be a little toxic. But hey, when my finger’s in pain I do reach for that liquid bandage. Great relief.

Look up the toxins in your products at ewg.org/skindeep. (They don’t list New-Skin, but its main ingredient is an antibacterial antiseptic the ewg considers moderately toxic. The inactive ingredients are non-toxic cellulose and several varieties of acetate which probably form the bandage.)

Hydrate like crazy! Do not get unwittingly dehydrated! (As most of us are!)
You may need even a gallon a day. High-mineral celtic salt with your water gives you plump healthy cells. See Watercure for all the scoop  and recommended amounts. 

Cover up with gloves whenever possible and socks for those heels.

Eat Silicon, a.k.a. Silica.  Studies from the  NIH (National Institutes of Health) say silicon enhances the synthesis of collagen to improve skin strength and elasticity.
(OSA – orthosilicic acid – is the most bio-available form of silicon according to the NIH.)
Our bones, skin and teeth naturally have silicon, but maybe not enough.
Food sources of silicon/silica are whole grains, oatmeal, bran cereals.

Silica/silicon supplements often contain horsetail or bamboo extract, good sources.
The recommended dose is 55 micrograms per day.
(Besides repairing skin, this is claimed to prevent wrinkles and promote thick hair. All I know is, some winters I have avoided cracked skin entirely by taking silicon.)

Eat Coconut Oil. A good antioxidant that reduces free radicals and aging, coconut oil heals and strengthens the skin from the inside out. Its fatty acids fortify connective tissue.
Many people take several teaspoons a day to treat psoriasis, eczema, and diminish wrinkles. (On the other hand, heart doctors are not keen on its saturated fat. Personally I think it might be worthwhile for a couple of cold months in winter. Follow your own guidance.)

Moisturize often. Be choosy about lotions because some contain alcohol (drying), parabens (hormone-damage), and toxic chemicals. Again check your products at ewg.org.
Moisturizers I like are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and Aquaphor ointment (similar to petroleum jelly).
(My face gets grape seed oil because it is non-comedogenic – doesn’t block pores.)

Do a Night Treatment. Apply a deep moisturizer like petroleum jelly to your hands and feet, then cover up with cotton socks and gloves through the night. Beautiful skin in the morning.

Whaddaya say? Can you share more ideas?
All of the above tips have helped me for sure.
Let us know your thoughts.

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Diane does health coaching, energy healing, and gives you practical ways to enhance your wellbeing.  Make an appointment in Phoenix or Fountain Hills. Inquire about our weekly healing class, Tuesday evenings in Phoenix.
(Thanks to public domain for this image.)