What causes chapped hands and feet?

Chapped hands and feet is a common skin disease, which is mostly caused by dry and cracked skin for various reasons. It is accompanied by pain and can affect the patient's daily life in severe cases. So what causes chapped hands and feet?

Chapped skin is a disease of dry skin and linear cracks on the hands and feet due to various reasons. This disease is a common skin disease, which is more common in the elderly and women. Due to frequent stimulation from mechanical or chemical substances, coupled with the cold winter climate, the secretion of subcutaneous sweat glands decreases, frequent friction, the skin becomes dry and dehumidified, the skin cuticle thickens and loses elasticity, so chapped skin is very likely to occur when the hands and feet move.

The occurrence of chapped skin is related to dryness and also to occupation. Some people may have to wash clothes and cook every day, and come into contact with some fat-soluble or alkaline substances. The skin on their hands and feet is often dry and cracked due to lack of moisture. In severe cases, the cracks may extend to the deep muscle layer.

Chapped skin causes obvious pain and even affects the movement of hands and feet. The skin lesions range from wrinkles to cracks to chapped skin. The cracks are of varying lengths and depths and are often found on the flexor side of the fingers and palms, heels, soles of toes, and sides of the feet.

People who often work outdoors and are exposed to wind and water, or come into contact with degreasing and absorbent materials such as mud and lime, and are therefore susceptible to external forces or chemical stimulation, are particularly susceptible to chapped skin. In addition, people with tinea pedis, ichthyosis, callus eczema, and congenital palmoplantar keratosis are also prone to chapped skin.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that chapped skin is caused by the sudden suppression of muscle heat by cold and dry wind, which leads to blood blockage and lack of nourishment to the skin. It is also related to frequent friction, pressure and immersion. It is advisable to use equal parts of Rehmannia glutinosa and alum to boil a decoction and soak the affected area, then apply moisturizing ointment or Taiyi ointment. Usually pay attention to the warmth and care of the skin of your hands and feet.

Traditional Chinese medicine calls this disease "chapped hands and feet", "ruptured hands and feet", "chapped wounds", etc. The disease is caused by exogenous wind and cold, which lead to imbalance of body qi and blood circulation, malnutrition of meridians at the extremities, and they gradually become dry and brittle. Repeated friction or traction may lead to chapped hands and feet.