What is the treatment for peeling and cracking fingers without any new exposures or medications?

From the Guidelines

The treatment for peeling and cracking fingers without new exposures or medications involves moisturizing frequently with thick emollients, such as those packaged in tubes to prevent contamination, and applying them immediately after washing hands and before bed, wearing cotton gloves overnight to enhance absorption, as recommended by the American Contact Dermatitis Society 1.

Key Recommendations

• Use moisturizers packaged in tubes instead of jars to prevent double dipping and potential contamination 1
• Apply moisturizer immediately after washing hands and before bed, wearing cotton gloves overnight to enhance absorption
• Use lukewarm water for washing and limit hand washing frequency
• Choose gentle, fragrance-free soaps
• For more severe cases, consider over-the-counter treatments, but prioritize moisturizing and skin protection

Additional Considerations

• Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin hydration from within
• If the condition persists beyond 2-3 weeks of consistent treatment, worsens, shows signs of infection, or if there's severe pain or bleeding, consult a healthcare provider
• Avoid irritants and harsh products, and prioritize gentle skin care to prevent further dryness and irritation, as suggested by expert opinions on skin reactions 1

From the Research

Treatment for Peeling and Cracking Fingers

• The treatment for peeling and cracking fingers without any new exposures or medications is not directly addressed in the provided studies, but some studies suggest that moisturizers may be beneficial in improving skin barrier function and reducing the risk of relapse of eczema 2.
• A study on atopic dermatitis found that maintenance treatment with a barrier-improving urea moisturizer reduced the risk of relapse to approximately one third of that of no treatment 2.
• Another study on dyshidrotic palmar eczema found that topical tacrolimus (FK506) 0.1% ointment and mometasone furoate 0.1% ointment were effective in reducing the severity of the condition, but the symptoms recurred in most patients within 3 weeks after the active treatment phase 3.
• Chemical peels may also be used to treat skin conditions such as pigmentary disorders, superficial acne scars, and ageing skin changes, but the studies provided do not specifically address the treatment of peeling and cracking fingers 4, 5.
• The use of barrier creams and moisturizers may have a protective effect against occupational irritant hand dermatitis, but the evidence is limited and the quality of the evidence is low 6.

Moisturizer Treatment

• Moisturizers may be beneficial in improving skin barrier function and reducing the risk of relapse of eczema 2.
• A study on atopic dermatitis found that maintenance treatment with a barrier-improving urea moisturizer reduced the risk of relapse to approximately one third of that of no treatment 2.
• Moisturizers used alone or in combination with barrier creams may result in a clinically important protective effect for the primary prevention of occupational irritant hand dermatitis 6.

Chemical Peels

• Chemical peels may be used to treat skin conditions such as pigmentary disorders, superficial acne scars, and ageing skin changes 4, 5.
• The standard guidelines of care for chemical peels include the use of sunscreens and moisturizers for postoperative care, and the peels may be repeated weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on the type and depth of the peel 5.