Definition

• Cracked skin on the fingers or hand

Health Information

Symptoms

• Cracks are always painful.
• Pain increases when exposed to soap or even water.
• Minor bleeding can occur.

Causes

• Can happen with children who wash their hands often or wash dishes.
• Can also occur from working outside in winter weather.
• The worse cracks of the fingers occur with thumb-sucking.

Prevention

• 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.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Cracks on the hands can be very painful.
   • Cracked skin of the hands is usually caused by repeated contact with soap.
   • 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 3 times a day.
   • If the crack seems mildly infected, use an antibiotic ointment instead. No prescription is needed. Put it on the cracks 3 times a day.
   • Covering the ointment with a Band-Aid speeds recovery.
   • Option: If you have it, a liquid crack sealer works even better. Don’t use crack sealer and ointment together.
3. Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Crack Sealer:
   • Deep cracks of the fingers usually do not heal with ointments.
   • Use a liquid skin bandage to seal the crack. Many brands of liquid bandage (crack sealer) are available at your drugstore. No prescription is needed.
   • Liquid skin bandage is a plastic coating product that seals wounds.
   • It is the best way to relieve pain and promote healing.
   • Wash and dry the wound first. Then put on the liquid. It comes with a small brush or with a swab. It dries in less than a minute. Then apply a second coat. It’s waterproof and may last a week.
   • Start with 2 layers. Put on an extra layer as often as needed.
   • As the crack heals from the bottom, the plastic layer will be pushed up.
4. 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.
   • Untreated cracks can last for years.

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

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

#AAP