Finger tip fissures, commonly known as cracked or split skin of the fingertips, can be both painful and cause functional impairment. Simple tasks such as grasping objects or buttoning a shirt may be difficult. Many people suffer from fingertip fissures during cool dry winter weather. Other potential aggravating factors include excessive water exposure (especially hot water), chemicals in household cleaning products, and underlying skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
Treatment involves avoiding exposure to aggravating factors, wearing gloves when washing dishes and other wet exposure work, and moisturizing frequently with products that are occlusive and contain dimethicone, such as Aveeno Therapy Itch Relief Balm. For deeper fissures, liquid bandage products, such as NuSkin or Bactine applied once or twice daily are often helpful.
Finally, if the above measures are inadequate, your dermatologist may prescribe a potent topical steroid and/or topical antibiotic ointment.
