Cracked or Dry Skin

When to Call for Cracked or Dry Skin

Care Advice

Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Feet

1. What You Should Know About Cracks on Feet:
   • Most often, cracked skin of the feet is caused by repeated contact with moisture.
   • The main cause is often wearing wet (or sweaty) socks. Swimmers also have this problem.
   • The soles of the feet are most often involved. Usually, you see cracks on the heels and big toes.
   • This is called tennis shoe or sneaker dermatitis.
   • Cracked, dry feet usually can be treated at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:
   • Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.
   • Keep the cracks constantly covered with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
   • If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
   • Covering the ointment with a bandage (such as Band-Aid) speeds recovery. You can also cover it with a sock.
   • Option: If you have it, a liquid skin bandage works even better. Don't use liquid bandage and ointment together.
3. Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Skin Bandage:
   • Deep cracks of the feet or toes usually do not heal with ointments.
   • Use a liquid skin bandage that will completely seal the crack. Many brands of liquid bandage are available. No prescription is needed.
   • Start with 2 layers. Put on another layer as often as needed.
   • As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed up.
4. Prevention of Cracks on Feet:
   • Change socks whenever they are wet or sweaty.
   • Take an extra pair of socks to school.
   • When practical, do not wear shoes. Go barefoot or wear socks only.
   • Do not use bubble bath or other soaps in the bath water. Soaps take the natural oils out of the skin.
   • Use a moisturizing cream on the feet after baths or showers.
   • Wear shoes that allow the skin to "breathe."
5. What to Expect:
   • Most cracks heal over in 1 week with treatment.
   • Deep cracks heal if you keep them covered all the time with crack sealer. Deep cracks will heal in about 2 weeks with crack sealer.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
   • Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Hands

1. What You Should Know About Cracks on Hands:
   • Cracked skin of the hands is usually caused by repeated contact with moisture.
   • Examples are washing dishes or washing the hands often.
   • Soap removes the natural protective oils from the skin.
   • Cracked, dry hands usually can be treated at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:
   • Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.
   • Keep the cracks constantly covered with petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
   • If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
   • Covering the ointment with a bandage (such as Band-Aid) speeds recovery. You can also cover it with a glove.
   • Option: If you have it, a liquid skin bandage works even better. Don't use liquid bandage and ointment together.
3. Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Skin Bandage:
   • Deep cracks of the fingers usually do not heal with ointments.
   • Use a liquid skin bandage that will completely seal the crack. Many brands of liquid bandage are available. No prescription is needed.
   • Start with 2 layers. Put on another layer as often as needed.
   • As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed up.
4. Prevention of Cracks on Hands:
   • Wash the hands with warm water.
   • Use soap only if the hands are very dirty. Also, use soap for anything that won't come off with water.
   • Wear gloves when washing dishes.
   • During cold weather, wear gloves outside.
   • Use a moisturizing cream on the hands after anytime they have been in water.
5. What to Expect:
   • Most cracks heal over in 1 week with treatment.
   • Deep cracks heal if you keep them covered all the time with crack sealer. Deep cracks will heal in about 2 weeks with crack sealer.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
   • Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Chapped Lips

1. What You Should Know About Chapped Lips:
   • The lips can become chapped in children from too much sun or wind.
   • If the lips become cracked, it's usually from a "lip-licking" habit.
   • The skin around the lips can also become pink and dry. This occurs especially when children suck on their lips.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Lip Balm:
   • A lip balm should be used often, even hourly.
   • Be sure to put it on after eating or drinking.
3. Avoid "Lip-Licking":
   • Help your child give up the habit of lip-licking or sucking.
   • This habit usually is not seen before age 6.
   • This habit will only change if you can gain your child's active participation.
   • Appeal to your child's pride. Show your child in a mirror how lip-sucking has affected their appearance.
   • Give them a lip lubricant to put on their lips. Tell them to use it when they feel the urge to suck on them. Another option is to replace lip-sucking with chewing gum.
   • Offer an incentive for going an entire day without lip-sucking. Examples of rewards are money or points towards a prize.
   • Avoid any pressure or punishment. It will backfire, cause a power struggle and make the habit last longer.
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)
   • Cracks last more than 2 weeks on treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Dry or Itchy Skin

1. What You Should Know About Dry Skin:
   • Dry skin is a common condition.
   • Mainly caused by too much bathing and soap (soap dermatitis).
   • Soap removes the skin's natural protective oils. Once they are gone, the skin can't hold moisture.
   • Dry climates make it worse, as does winter weather (called winter itch).
   • Genetics also plays a role in dry skin.
   • Dry skin is less common in teenagers than younger children. This is because the oil glands are more active in teens.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Bathing - Avoid Soap:
   • Young children with dry skin should avoid all soaps. Soaps take the natural protective oils out of the skin. Bubble bath does the most damage.
   • For young children, the skin can be cleansed with warm water alone. Keep bathing to 10 minutes or less.
   • Most young children only need to bathe twice a week.
   • Teenagers can get by with using soap only for the armpits, genitals, and feet. Also, use a mild soap (such as Dove).
   • Do not use any soap on itchy areas or rashes.
3. Moisturizing Cream:
   • Buy a large bottle of moisturizing cream (such as Eucerin). Avoid those with fragrances.
   • Put the cream on any dry or itchy area 3 times per day.
   • After warm water baths or showers, trap the moisture in the skin. Do this by putting on the cream everywhere after bathing. Use the cream within 3 minutes of completing the bath.
   • During the winter, apply the cream every day to prevent dry skin.
4. Steroid Cream:
   • For very itchy spots, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
   • Use up to 3 times per day as needed until the itching is better.
   • Eventually, the moisturizing cream will be all that you need for treating dry skin.
5. Humidifier:
   • If your winters are dry, protect your child's skin from the constant drying effect.
   • Do this by running a room humidifier full time.
6. Preventing Dry Skin:
   • Don't use soaps or bubble bath.
   • Wash the hands with warm water. Use soap only if the hands are very dirty. Also, use soap for anything that won't come off with water.
   • Don't use swimming pools or hot tubs. Reason: Pool chemicals are very drying.
   • Run a humidifier in the winter if the air is dry.
   • During cold weather, wear gloves outside. This helps prevent drying of the skin.
   • Drink lots of fluids.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Dry skin lasts more than 2 weeks on treatment
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.