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There are several reason you might experience cracked skin; cold weather, excessive washing of hands, dry skin, skin diseases, or going barefoot are just a few. If you do develop cracks or skin fissures on your hands or feet, you should take steps to treat the area as soon as you can. Cracked skin is a health hazard since it allows an opening for germs. The following tips will help you heal unsightly cracked skin.

Soak the area every night

The first step in healing your cracked skin is to soak the effected area every night for at least 20 minutes. This allows your skin to soak up moisture and soften up the tough calloused areas which are prone to cracking. The cells of your skin require adequate hydration to stay soft and supple. When you are finished with your hydration by soaking, simply pat the area dry with a soft towel. Do not rub it dry as this is liable to irritate skin which might be tender due to the cracking and chafing.

Seal the moisture in

Now that you have hydrated your cells, you need to lock the moisture in by applying a petroleum jelly product such as Vaseline. Other lotions may be used in a pinch, but they do not seal as well as Vaseline. Next, slip cotton socks on if it is your feet that are cracked, or cotton gloves if it is your hands. Go to bed and leave them in place overnight and let the moisture revitalize your skin so they can heal.

Following the above routine is also helpful in preventing chapped skin and cracking. So at the first sign of dry or painful skin, start the hydrating regimen. In addition, you can further hydrate your body by drinking adequate amounts of water everyday.

Having dry, cracked, and bleeding hands or feet is a health hazard and painful to endure. Not only that, it is embarrassing. The best course of action is to prevent cracks from forming in the first place if at all possible.