Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Feet

1. Reassurance:

   • Cracked skin of the feet is usually due to excessive and repeated exposure to wetness.

   • The main cause is frequently wearing wet (or sweaty) socks. Swimmers also have this problem.

   • The soles of the feet are commonly involved, especially the heels and big toes.

   • This is sometimes called tennis shoe or sneaker dermatitis.

   • Cracked, dry feet usually can be treated at home.

2. Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:

   • Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.

   • Keep the cracks constantly covered with a plain ointment (e.g., petroleum jelly) 3 times a day.

   • If the crack seems mildly infected, apply an antibiotic ointment (no prescription needed) 3 times a day instead.

   • Covering the ointment with a Band-Aid or socks speeds recovery.

   • Option: If you have it, a liquid crack sealer works even better. Don't use crack sealer and ointment together.

3. Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Crack Sealer:

   • Deep cracks of the feet or toes usually do not heal with ointments.

   • Apply a liquid skin bandage (no prescription needed) that will completely seal the crack (e.g., Nexcare Skin Crack Care by 3M)

   • Start with 2 layers. Reapply another layer as often as needed.

   • As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed out to the skin surface.

4. Prevention:

   • Change socks whenever they are wet or sweaty.

   • Take an extra pair of socks to school.

   • Avoid shoes when practical.

   • Go barefoot or wear socks only.

   • Avoid bubble bath or other soaps in the bath water. Soaps take the natural oils out of the skin.

   • Apply a moisturizing cream to the feet after baths or showers.

   • Wear shoes that allow the skin to "breathe".

5. Expected Course: Most cracks heal over in 1 week with treatment. Even deep cracks of many years duration can be healed in about 2 weeks if they are constantly covered with crack sealer.

6. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)

   • Cracks persist over 2 weeks on treatment

   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Cracked Skin on the Hands

1. Reassurance:

   • Cracked skin of the hands is usually caused by excessive and repeated exposure to wetness.

   • Examples are frequently washing dishes or frequently washing the hands.

   • Soap removes the natural protective oils from the skin.

   • Cracked, dry hands usually can be treated at home.

2. Shallow Cracks - Use Ointment:

   • Cracks heal faster if protected from air exposure and drying.

   • Keep the cracks constantly covered with a plain ointment (e.g., petroleum jelly) 3 times a day.

   • If the crack seems mildly infected, apply an antibiotic ointment (no prescription needed) 3 times a day instead.

   • Covering the ointment with a Band-Aid or gloves speeds recovery.

   • Option: If you have it, a liquid crack sealer works even better. Don't use crack sealer and ointment together.

3. Deep Cracks - Use Liquid Crack Sealer:

   • Deep cracks of the fingers usually do not heal with ointments.

   • Apply a liquid skin bandage (no prescription needed) that will completely seal the crack (e.g., Nexcare Skin Crack Care by 3M)

   • Start with 2 layers. Reapply another layer as often as needed.

   • As the crack heals, the plastic layer will be pushed out to the skin surface.

4. Prevention:

   • Wash the hands with warm water.

   • Use soap only if the hands are very dirty or for substances that won't come off with water.

   • Wear gloves when washing dishes.

   • During cold weather, wear gloves outside.

   • Apply a moisturizing cream to the hands after anytime they have been in water.

5. Expected Course: Most cracks heal over in 1 week with treatment. Even deep cracks of many years duration can be healed in about 2 weeks if they are constantly covered with crack sealer.

6. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)

   • Cracks persist over 2 weeks on treatment

   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Chapped Lips

1. Reassurance:

   • The lips can become chapped in children from excessive exposure to sun or wind.

   • If the lips become cracked, it's usually from a "lip-licking" habit.

   • The skin around the lips can also become pink and dry if the child sucks on the lips.

2. Chapped Lips: A lip balm should be applied frequently, even hourly. Be sure to apply it after eating or drinking.

3. Avoid "Lip-Licking":

   • Help your child give up the habit of lip-licking or sucking.

   • This habit usually is not seen before age 6.

   • This habit will only change if you can gain your child's active participation.

   • Appeal to your child's pride. Show your child in a mirror how lip-sucking has affected their appearance.

   • Give them a lip lubricant to apply to their lips whenever they feel the urge to suck on them. Another possible replacement activity is chewing gum.

   • Offer an incentive (e.g., money, or points towards a prize) for going an entire day without lip-sucking.

   • Avoid any pressure or punishment. It will backfire, cause a power struggle and make the habit last longer.

4. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Starts to look infected (redness, red streak, pus)

   • Cracks persist over 2 weeks on treatment

   • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Dry or Itchy Skin

1. Reassurance:

   • Dry skin is a common condition.

   • Mainly caused by too much bathing and soap (soap dermatitis).

   • Soap removes the skin's natural protective oils and once they are gone, the skin can't hold moisture.

   • Dry climates make it worse, as does winter weather (called winter itch)

   • Genetics also plays a role in dry skin.

   • Dry skin is less common in teenagers than younger children, because the oil glands are more active.

2. Soap and Bathing:

   • Young children with dry skin should avoid all soaps. Soaps take the natural protective oils out of the skin. Bubble bath does the most damage.

   • For young children, the skin can be cleansed with warm water alone. Keep bathing to 10 minutes or less.

   • Most young children only need to bathe twice a week.

   • Teenagers can get by with using soap only for the armpits, genitals, and feet. Also, use a mild soap (e.g., Dove).

   • Avoid any soap on itchy areas or rashes.

3. Moisturizing Cream:

   • Buy a large bottle of moisturizing cream (avoid those with fragrances).

   • Apply the cream to any dry or itchy area three times per day.

   • After warm water baths or showers, trap the moisture in the skin by applying the cream everywhere within 3 minutes of completing the bath.

   • During the winter, apply the cream every day to prevent dry skin.

4. Steroid Cream:

   • For very itchy spots, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (no prescription is needed).

   • Apply up to 3 times per day as needed until the itching is better.

   • Eventually, the moisturizing cream will be all that you need for treating dry skin.

5. Humidifier: If your winters are dry, you can protect your child's skin from the constant drying effect by running a room humidifier full time.

6. Preventing Dry Skin:

   • Avoid soaps and bubble bath.

   • Wash the hands with warm water. Use soap only if the hands are very dirty or for substances that won't come off with water.

   • Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs (Reason: pool chemicals are very drying).

   • Run a humidifier in the winter if the air is dry.

   • During cold weather, wear gloves outside to protect against the rapid evaporation of moisture from the hands.

   • Encourage adequate fluid intake.

7. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Dry skin persists over 2 weeks on treatment

   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.