Splits in the fingertips hurt so much they can make it hard to do simple everyday tasks. Plus, any openings in the skin allow germs to enter in which can cause infection.
What Causes Fingertip Splits aka Fissures?
Lack of Humidity
My clients have been coming in with super dry skin and splits in their fingertips. There is lack of humidity in the outside air and the heated air inside buildings. Because the humidity is very low, the natural moisture in the skin evaporates into the dry air. It is called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
Exposure to Water
You may think putting your hands in water would put moisture into your skin, but prolonged water exposure can actually dehydrate the skin. Water can remove the skin's natural protective oils especially when soap is involved. Hot water is particularly good at removing our protective oils. Without a protective barrier, we experience Transepidermal Water Loss and can experience fingertip fissures.
Exposure to Chemicals
Exposure to strong chemicals like nail polish remover and cleaning products are the perfect recipe for dehydrated skin that can lead to splits. They strip the natural protective oils from our skin very quickly.
Working with Moisture Absorbing Materials
Working with paper, clay, fabric and clothing also causes dehydration. These materials absorb moisture and oils from our skin. Cross laundry off your list! 🤣
This Non-Petroleum Jelly is vegan. It contains only 2 ingredients Organic Jojoba Extract and Sunflower Wax.
Lip Balm
Gloves, Gloves, Gloves!
Gloves are the best way to protect your hands from exposure to bad things! There is a glove for every task.
There are a variety of things we can do to help the skin stay better hydrated and heal splits in the skin.
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The Best Remedy for Split Skin/ Fingertip Fissures:
Topical Treatments
Topical Treatments create an occlusive barrier to prevent Transepidermal Water Loss. A thick product is needed to help heal the painful skin fissures. Let's explore the options!
Petroleum Jelly or Non-Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly creates a very thick, greasy occlusive barrier to lubricate and protect fingertip fissures allowing them to heal.
There are many people who do not like to use petroleum jelly not only because it is very greasy, but because it is a by-product from the oil refining industry. Some people fear it contains impurities like PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) from the oil refining process.
Plus, it is difficult to find a cruelty free brand of petroleum jelly and you know, I'm all about using cruelty free products. The only brand that comes to mind is CVS Petroleum Jelly. CVS Brand products are not tested on animals.
There is an alternative to petroleum jelly...Non-Petroleum Jelly!
Non-petroleum jelly is plant-based jelly that mimics the thick occlusive nature of petroleum jelly without petroleum by-products.
GoldCrest Naturals Non-Petroleum Jelly
Healthy Jelly
Healthy Jelly is made of Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax and Vitamin E. It is not considered vegan because it contains beeswax.
Sky Organics Petroleum-free Jelly
Sky Organics Petroleum Free Jelly is made of Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Organic Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax), Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), and Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil. This one also is not vegan due to the beeswax.
Use the Soak and Smear method:
The soak and smear method is an effective technique to apply petroleum and non-petroleum jellies to a fingertip fissure.
Briefly wet the split finger under warm water or soak in a bowl of warm water for just a few minutes to soften the hard dry skin. Pat it dry. Smear the jelly onto the split area. The jelly will seal in the water from the soaking. Then, cover the area with an adhesive bandage to keep it protected. Keep bandage dry. Apply the jelly 2-3 times per day. Keep it covered until the split mends together. It should be significantly improved in two days using this treatment.
Once the split is mended together, you can continue to apply a thin layer of the jelly to keep the skin lubricated but there is no need to cover it.
Try Patch Eco Bamboo Bandages. The are perfect for dehydrated sensitive skin!
It has been my experience that the non-petroleum jelly or petroleum jelly treatment is the most effective treatment for healing splits in the skin quickly. If don't like the greasy feeling of the jelly, there are other options you can try.
Lip Balm
Not just for lips!!! Lip balm creates a thick waxy protective coating on split skin. This works well on splits that are not very deep. Apply a thick layer the lip balm to the cracked skin to help seal it and ease the sting. You can cover it with an adhesive bandage if you choose to.
Dr Rogers Lip Balm
This hypoallergenic, vegan, fragrance free lip balm is perfect for lips & fingertips! Ingredients: Castor Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Castor Wax)
Liquid Bandage
Liquid Bandage is a topical treatment liquid for minor cuts and scrapes. It forms a protective film when applied to the skin which protects the wound from dirt and germs. It also helps the skin retain moisture. Polyvinyl acetate is a common film forming ingredient used in liquid bandage products. Liquid bandage products may sting when applied due to the solvents it contains. I am unable to find a confirmed cruelty free brand at this time but am waiting for a few emails.
Glue it Together
There are some people who choose to use medical grade cyanoacrylate (like Super Glue for medical use) to glue the split skin back together. It isn't a choice I recommend because number 1, it burns when applied to an open wound, number two, it can cause skin irritation in some people, and number 3, I don't know that there is a medical grade cyanoacrylate glue that is cruelty free.
There are cyanoacrylate glues for nails that are cruelty free such as Kiss nail glue, but that's not considered medical grade.
When to Call your Doctor
If the split is not healing and shows signs of infection, such as swelling, pus, extreme redness, or heat, it’s time to call your doctor.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure!
Here are some things you should be doing to prevent splits in your fingertips.
Gloves are the best way to protect your hands from exposure to bad things! There is a glove for every task.
Waterproof Gloves
Wear waterproof gloves when cleaning or doing dishes.
Cotton Gloves
Wear cotton gloves when dusting or handling something that will absorb the moisture from your hands such as clothing when folding laundry. Sorry, you can put laundry back on the list! 😁
Remember the old-fashioned white gloves?
Warm Winter Gloves
Always wear warm winter gloves or mittens when you are outside in the cold winter air. Knitted, fleece, fake fur, whatever you like to keep your hands warm.
Gardening Gloves
Wear gardening gloves when digging in the dirt. I know, this is not a wintertime activity but keep this in mind when spring comes and you start working on your garden. Dirt is also something that will absorb oils from your hands.
Lotions & Creams
Hand lotions and hand creams are a must! A cream is generally thicker that a lotion making it a great choice for winter. But, if you prefer lotion, by all means, use lotion!
Apply hand lotion or hand cream right after washing your hands. This will seal water to your skin. Also, be sure to apply lotion or cream frequently throughout the day. Don't forget to apply it around your nails. It will help them be less dry and brittle.
Hand lotions and hand creams are a must! A cream is generally thicker that a lotion making it a great choice for winter. But, if you prefer lotion, by all means, use lotion!
Apply hand lotion or hand cream right after washing your hands. This will seal water to your skin. Also, be sure to apply lotion or cream frequently throughout the day. Don't forget to apply it around your nails. It will help them be less dry and brittle.
How to Strengthen Weak Nails
Choose a lotion or cream that has a scent you like so you want to use it. If you don't like fragrance, choose an unscented lotion or cream.
Keep a small tube of hand cream by the sinks, in your handbag, in your car, and at work so you have it with you to use all day long.
Choose a lotion or cream that has a scent you like so you want to use it. If you don't like fragrance, choose an unscented lotion or cream.
Keep a small tube of hand cream by the sinks, in your handbag, in your car, and at work so you have it with you to use all day long.
One of my favorites is Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream. They say it lasts through handwashing right on the tube and it does! Apply another layer after handwashing anyway. This 3oz. tube is really handy.
Get a humidifier for your home to add moisture to the dry heated air. It will make your overall skin health better. Increased humidity will slow down the evaporation of moisture from your skin.
Also, a humidifier is also good for keeping your whole self healthy. Moist air affects how viruses linger in the air. Dry air allows them to float around, while moist air makes them heavy and fall to the floor faster. Moist air, above 40% humidity, also helps to deactivate virus particles.
Humidifiers come in many shapes and sizes. They are not very expensive. It is a worthwhile addition to your home.
Get a Manicure!
Get a good old-fashioned manicure with regular old-fashioned air-dry polish. Gel polish is extremely dehydrating for both the nails and the skin. Maybe add on a paraffin treatment for an intense moisturizing treatment. If you think you will miss the fast-drying quality of gel polish, try Dazzle Dry. It is a regular air-dry polish that dries solid in 5 minutes! For real!
Foods & Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Eat a nutritious diet with lots of fruits and veggies and drink plenty of water for healthier skin. Add more vitamins and fat to your diet to help the skin heal and become stronger so it is more resistant to fingertip splits.
Water
Try for 8 8-ounce glasses each day to hydrate the skin and improve cell function. That equals about 2 liters or half a gallon.
Take Flax seed oil
It's loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids and is very beneficial for skin health. Add 1 Tablespoon to your diet each day.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed for skin cell growth and skin repair. Take a daily supplement or eat more foods containing Vitamin D. Be sure to eat or take magnesium when taking Vitamin D. Vitamin D can deplete your magnesium causing a headache.
Some foods containing Vitamin D: dairy products, egg yolks, fortified orange juice, fortified alternative milk products, mushrooms grown in sun and fish.
Some foods containing magnesium: pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, avocados, almonds, beans and lentils, bananas, dark leafy greens, whole grains, dark chocolate and fish.
Eat more Omega 3, Omega 6 & Monounsaturated Fats
Healthy fats help prevent skin dryness and help your body create healthy skin cells.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Soybeans, walnuts, flax seeds and salmon.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids: Cereals and grains, oils: flax seed, soybean, corn, sunflower, cottonseed, black currant and evening primrose and egg yolks
Eat mono-unsaturated fats- Avocados, olives, olive oil and nuts.
Remember, always buy Cruelty Free! 🐰 Because no animal should ever be tested on, suffer, be afraid & die for people to look more beautiful.
Eat a nutritious diet with lots of fruits and veggies and drink plenty of water for healthier skin. Add more vitamins and fat to your diet to help the skin heal and become stronger so it is more resistant to fingertip splits.
Water
Try for 8 8-ounce glasses each day to hydrate the skin and improve cell function. That equals about 2 liters or half a gallon.
Take Flax seed oil
It's loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids and is very beneficial for skin health. Add 1 Tablespoon to your diet each day.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed for skin cell growth and skin repair. Take a daily supplement or eat more foods containing Vitamin D. Be sure to eat or take magnesium when taking Vitamin D. Vitamin D can deplete your magnesium causing a headache.
Some foods containing Vitamin D: dairy products, egg yolks, fortified orange juice, fortified alternative milk products, mushrooms grown in sun and fish.
Some foods containing magnesium: pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, avocados, almonds, beans and lentils, bananas, dark leafy greens, whole grains, dark chocolate and fish.
Eat more Omega 3, Omega 6 & Monounsaturated Fats
Healthy fats help prevent skin dryness and help your body create healthy skin cells.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Soybeans, walnuts, flax seeds and salmon.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids: Cereals and grains, oils: flax seed, soybean, corn, sunflower, cottonseed, black currant and evening primrose and egg yolks
Eat mono-unsaturated fats- Avocados, olives, olive oil and nuts.
I hope these tips help your fingertips heal super-fast and make your hands look more beautiful, especially if you have a sparkly new engagement ring!
Remember, always buy Cruelty Free! 🐰 Because no animal should ever be tested on, suffer, be afraid & die for people to look more beautiful.
Have a Beautiful Day!
xo
Licensed Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Makeup Artist
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