‘Cracked’ Skin

CRACKED AND DRY LIPS

• Use a lip balm with sunscreen (e.g. Sunsense 15 lip balm)

• Women can use a creamy lipstick

• Vaseline helps

CRACKED HANDS AND FINGERS

Usually associated with atopic dermatitis or very dry skin.

Hand protection:

• Avoid domestic or occupational duties that involve contact with irritants and detergents

• Wear protective work gloves: cotton-lined PVC gloves

• Use soap substitutes (e.g. Cetaphil lotion, Dove, Neutrogena)

• Apply 2–5% salicyclic acid and 10% liq picis carb in white soft paraffin ointment or Norwegian Formula Hand Cream or

• Corticosteroid ointment: potent (e.g. betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment) with night-time plastic occlusion

CRACKED HEELS

• Soak feet for 30 mins in warm water containing an oil such as Alpha Keri or Derma Oil

• Pat dry, then apply a cream such as Nutraplus (10% urea) or Eulactol heel balm

• For severe cases use sorbolene cream with 20% glycerol or 30% urea (test skin sensitivity first)