Sore skin fissures giving you a hard time? Stop searching! This blog has the answers for you. What cream is best to relieve your skin problem? Dryness, tenderness – this article will show you the top picks. Keep reading to find the ideal fix for your skin fissures!
Introduction
Skin fissures are tiny cracks or lines in the skin. They mainly show up on hands, feet and lips, but can appear anywhere when weather is bad or the skin is too dry. These hairline fractures can be hard to treat and may cause pain, itchiness and even infection if not treated properly.
Luckily, there are treatments to help with this. You can buy creams and ointments from a pharmacy or get medicine from a doctor. It is best to get a hypoallergenic cream or ointment for sensitive skin. This will help ease inflammation and keep cells hydrated. It can also soften hard areas of thickened skin due to dryness, cracking or splitting.
What are Skin Fissures?
Skin fissures are tears, splits, or cracks in the skin. They can be uncomfortable and prone to infection. Different ointments can be used for different causes of fissures.
Common causes of skin fissures include:
- Dry skin: Lack of hydration or exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Friction: Too much friction that abrades away at the skin surface.
- Injury: Rubbing against or cutting into the body.
- Allergies and Eczema: Allergic reactions or eczema rashes.
Different ointments are available to treat different skin fissures. For dry skin, moisturizers help replenish lost moisture. Ointments with dimethicone can help protect against further irritation and itching. For injury related issues, anti-inflammatory creams and antiseptic creams can help prevent infection and promote healing. For allergies and eczema, medicated ointments like hydrocortisone creams reduce inflammation and provide relief from painful symptoms.
Causes of Skin Fissures
Skin fissures, or cracks in the skin, can be due to many causes. These can range from climate changes to medical conditions. Dry skin, hot showers, contact with irritating materials, and sunburn can also be reasons. Even genetic predisposition and medications can lead to skin cracking.
To prevent cracking, you should avoid things that trigger it, and recognize early signs of inflammation. Keep your skin moisturized and protected from extreme temperatures. To find the right ointment, you must understand the root cause of your skin fissure.
Symptoms of Skin Fissures
Skin fissures are deep, jagged cracks in the skin caused by stress. They can appear on the corners of the mouth, fingers or toes and can be quite painful.
Symptoms to look out for include dryness, flakiness, redness, itching and burning, and even bleeding when pressure is applied.
To treat skin fissures, an ointment containing petroleum jelly or mineral oil can help shrink and soften the area and prevent further drying and cracking. For more serious cases, stronger medications like topical steroids or antibiotics may be prescribed by a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of Skin Fissures
Skin fissures can have many causes, such as environmental irritants, poor nutrition, and even psychological problems. To find the best ointment, it’s important to diagnose the cause first. If you think a certain irritant or ingredient is causing the issue, it’s essential to identify it.
If the cause can’t be determined, your doctor may suggest ways to find out what’s triggering it, such as an allergy patch test or skin testing. If allergies or sensitivity are found, more specific treatments can be used.
The type of skin fissure can help decide which ointment is best. For example, dry skin fissures may need an emollient lotion. While red or inflamed areas may need something stronger with anti-inflammatory properties like colloidal oatmeal bath soaks or hydrocortisone cream. Compounding pharmacies can also custom-make special medicated ointments for individual needs.
Once you know the triggers and which product will work best, it’s important to choose non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic products. Natural ingredients may offer extra benefits because they often contain antioxidants which are gentle on sensitive skin.
Treatment of Skin Fissures
Skin fissures can be caused by dry, cracked skin or an underlying medical condition. Treatment involves a combination of nutrition, hydration, and environmental control. Topical treatments include ointment-based solutions. These range from emollients or moisturizers (used to prevent fissures) to those with active ingredients such as steroids, antibiotics, and antifungals (used to heal the affected area). Herbal/home remedies can also aid in healing skin fissures. Here are some popular ointments used:
- Emollients: These products prevent dryness and irritation and examples include petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lanolin cream, and white soft paraffin.
- Steroids: These ointments contain corticosteroid hormones and reduce inflammation. Examples include cortisone creams (1% strength) and Hydrocortisone creams (0.5% strength).
- Antibiotics: These inhibit bacteria overgrowth which can worsen dryness and cause cracking and painful lesions. Examples include Neomycin sulfate and Bacitracin zinc complex cream/ointment.
- Antifungals: If a fungal infection is present, antifungal ointments can be beneficial. Examples include Clotrimazole cream and Miconazole cream/ointment.
Ointment Options for Skin Fissures
Skin fissures, also known as cracks or splits in the skin, can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. They often appear on the fingertips, feet, and ankles due to dry skin. To avoid infection and further complications, proper treatment is necessary. Ointment is a common option that helps restore moisture to dry skin.
When choosing an ointment for treating your skin fissures, look for one that effectively moisturizes. Some ointments contain ingredients like petrolatum and lanolin to attract and hold moisture in your skin, while also providing a layer of protection from external irritants. Shea butter or cocoa butter are natural ingredients that are effective and gentle on sensitive or irritable skin. Make sure the ointment is certified non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores or cause further irritation.
Ointments may contain topical antibiotics to treat infections from cracked skin, such as impetigo or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1). Talk to your doctor about the right antibiotic for you. Medicated creams or lotions containing salicylic acid or urea may also be used. These gently exfoliate dead skin layers and soften calluses around skin cracks, aiding healing without peeling too soon.
When using ointment, don’t apply too much and cover affected areas with breathable socks when outdoors. This will help protect against friction which can cause painful fissures again.
Conclusion
It’s key to make an educated choice when selecting a cream for skin fissures. Look at the source of your fissures, symptoms, their severity, and your skin type. A dermatologist can figure out your particular needs, suggest a relevant cream, and give ongoing advice.
The right ointment can ease the pain, lock in moisture, and aid healing. Note that many products declare to be successful treatments for skin fissures, yet their success often relies on their use with other medical therapies or changes in lifestyle. Make sure to talk to your primary care doctor or dermatologist before trying a new treatment for skin fissures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the best ointment for treating skin fissures?
A1: The best ointment for treating skin fissures, cracked skin, cracked heels, and cracked fingertips is one that contains ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, or cocoa butter. These ingredients help to form a barrier on the skin that prevents further moisture loss and helps the skin heal.
Q2: What should I look for in an ointment for treating skin fissures?
A2: When shopping for an ointment for treating skin fissures, you should look for one that contains ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, or cocoa butter. Additionally, you should check the label to make sure the product is free of artificial fragrances and other ingredients that could irritate your skin.
Q3: How often should I use an ointment for treating skin fissures?
A3: The frequency of use will depend on the severity of the skin fissures. Generally, you should use the ointment at least once a day, but if the fissures are severe, you may need to apply it more often. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging for best results.
