Sophia Delgado
Cracked fingertips can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions. Dry skin, also known as xerosis, is a common cause of cracked fingertips and can be exacerbated by cold, dry weather, frequent hand washing, and exposure to harsh chemicals found in soaps and cleaning products. Certain medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, and iron deficiency (anemia), can also contribute to cracked skin around the fingertips and nails. Additionally, vitamin deficiencies or excesses, particularly of vitamins A and B-3 (niacin), have been linked to skin peeling and cracking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | Aging is one of the most common reasons for cracked fingertips. |
| Exposure to water | Spending a lot of time with your hands in and out of water can cause your fingertips to crack. |
| Underlying illnesses | Anemia, cancer, thyroid issues, and diabetes can cause cracked fingertips. |
| Vitamin deficiency | Lack of vitamins A, B, C, and D can cause problems with your nails. |
| Mineral deficiency | Lack of iron, zinc, or calcium can cause nail problems. |
| Harsh chemicals | Exposure to harsh chemicals in soaps, shampoos, and other beauty products can irritate the skin and lead to cracked fingertips. |
| Weather | Cold and dry weather can reduce skin moisture and elasticity, making it more prone to cracking. |
| Skin conditions | Eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis can cause skin to crack and peel. |
| Frequent hand washing | Frequent hand washing removes natural oils, leading to dry skin and cracked fingertips. |
| Hand strain | Activities that put a lot of strain on the hands, such as typing, writing, cooking, etc., can cause cracked fingertips. |
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What You'll Learn
Harsh chemicals in hand soaps and cleaning products
There are many reasons why the skin under your nails may crack, and the products you use on your hands could be a factor. Some soaps contain chemicals that may affect your health or cause skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema. These chemicals are often added to help the soap bind together, lather, or add fragrance.
One such chemical is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a surfactant that helps soaps foam and join ingredients together. According to the EWG, SLS may irritate the skin, although the American Chemistry Council considers it safe for use and non-corrosive. Another chemical, 1,4-dioxane, may be present in cosmetic ingredients to help products foam and lather or adjust the pH level. While the FDA has found no evidence linking this chemical to cancer in humans, an older study from the National Toxicity Program suggests that residual levels of its compound, diethanolamine (DEA), may be carcinogenic.
Other chemicals to look out for include triclosan, an antimicrobial pesticide that may impact the human reproductive system and affect how bacteria respond to antibiotics; formaldehyde, which is listed on the EWG's toxic chemical list; and synthetic fragrances, which are known to be detrimental to human health and include chemicals such as phthalates, DEHP, benzophenone, and styrene. These synthetic fragrances are not only found in soaps but also in household cleaning products, hand creams, candles, incense, and even whiteboard markers.
To avoid these harsh chemicals, opt for natural or organic soaps with short ingredient lists that do not contain fragrances, preservatives, parabens, or binders. Vegetable-based soaps, such as castile soap, may be a good option as they tend to have a low hazard score on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep database. You can also try natural alternatives like soapberries, which contain a gentle, low-sudsing detergent called saponin and have been used by various cultures for thousands of years.
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Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
Fingertip dermatitis, or eczema, is a common skin condition that can be caused by an allergic reaction to acrylates found in artificial nails. Symptoms include itchiness, pain, burning, and numbness. In some cases, fingertip eczema can be a precursor to psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that causes itchiness, discoloured skin, and thick, scaly areas of skin. While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments such as special creams or ointments can help manage symptoms.
Eczema and psoriasis can both lead to cracked fingertips due to the dry, thickened skin that develops as a result of these conditions. For example, eczema causes a rash of dry and bumpy skin, which can become flaky and easily shed, leading to cracks. Similarly, psoriasis causes thick, scaly areas of skin that can shed, causing the scales beneath to stick together and potentially tear, resulting in cracks.
In addition to skin dryness and thickening, other factors can contribute to cracked fingertips in people with eczema or psoriasis. For example, the itching associated with these conditions may lead to excessive scratching, which can further irritate the skin and contribute to cracking. Additionally, activities that repeatedly expose the hands to water, such as washing dishes, can cause further drying and increase the risk of cracking.
Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can also play a role in the development of cracked fingertips in people with eczema or psoriasis. Exposure to harsh chemicals found in some nail products, soaps, and cleansers can further irritate and dry out the skin, making it more prone to cracking. Cold, dry weather during winter months can also contribute to skin dryness and increase the risk of cracking.
To manage cracked fingertips associated with eczema or psoriasis, it is essential to keep the skin well-hydrated and protected. Emollient hand lotions can help lock in moisture and form a protective barrier on the skin. Wearing cotton-lined rubber gloves when performing tasks that involve water exposure can also help prevent further drying and irritation. Avoiding harsh chemicals and irritants, such as nail products containing toluene and formaldehyde, is crucial to prevent further inflammation and damage to the skin.
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Vitamin deficiencies
Low vitamin C and folic acid can also cause nail integrity loss, resulting in an increased frequency of hangnails. Vitamin C-rich foods include red bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, and guava. Fruits and vegetables are also the best source of folic acid, or folate.
Iron deficiency can also cause brittle nails. Iron is needed to make healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to all your tissues. If you don't have enough iron, you have a condition called anemia, and cracked nails can be one of the symptoms. Spoon nails, which are nails that appear concave either horizontally or vertically, can also be caused by anemia or an iron deficiency.
Vitamin A toxicity can also cause irritated skin and cracked fingernails. Dry skin and other symptoms associated with vitamin A toxicity usually go away about 1 to 4 weeks after stopping high-dose vitamin A supplements.
Nails can also be affected by vitamin B-3 (niacin) deficiency, which can lead to dermatitis, diarrhoea, and even dementia. Niacin supplementation is the only way to restore your level of vitamin B-3.
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Weather conditions
Harsh weather conditions can strip the skin and nails of their natural moisture, leading to dryness and cracking. This is often exacerbated by other factors, such as frequent hand washing, the use of harsh soaps and cleaning products, and exposure to water. Therefore, it is crucial to take extra care of your hands and nails during extreme weather conditions, such as cold winters or hot summers.
Additionally, weather changes can trigger certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, which can contribute to cracked fingertips. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes a scaly, inflamed, itchy rash, and it is more likely to occur on the fingertips. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that leads to lesions or inflamed scaly patches on the skin. Both conditions are associated with an overactive immune system and can flare up due to environmental factors, including allergens and changing temperatures.
To prevent and treat cracked fingertips caused by weather conditions, it is essential to keep the skin and nails well-moisturized. Emollient hand lotions, hand creams, and moisturizers can help lock in moisture and protect the skin and nails from the elements. It is also beneficial to wear gloves when performing tasks that involve water exposure, such as washing dishes, to minimize the drying effect of water on the skin and nails.
In some cases, cracked fingertips may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies, or, in rare cases, cancer. Therefore, if the issue persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.
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Underlying medical conditions
Several underlying medical conditions can cause fingertips to crack from under the nail. These include:
Psoriasis: An inflammatory autoimmune disorder that leads to lesions or inflamed scaly patches on the skin. It is believed to be associated with an overactive autoimmune system and can be triggered by environmental factors such as allergens and changing temperatures. Psoriasis usually affects the fingernails and toenails, but it can also cause scaly redness in other parts of the body.
Anemia: A condition caused by a lack of iron in the body. Iron is necessary for producing healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to all tissues. Cracked nails can be a symptom of anemia, and the condition can be caused or exacerbated by pregnancy, ulcers, or cancer.
Thyroid problems: The thyroid gland produces hormones that control various bodily functions, such as breathing and heart rate. Thyroid problems can affect nail health and cause cracking under the nail.
Diabetes: Diabetes can make people more susceptible to nail infections, such as paronychia, which can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, as well as redness and warmth in the affected area. In severe cases, paronychia can lead to serious infections that may require the removal of the affected finger or toe.
Eczema: An inflammatory skin condition that causes a scaly, inflamed, itchy rash. Eczema commonly affects the fingertips and can lead to dry, cracked skin on the hands and deep cracks on the palm and finger joints.
Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, and D can impact nail health and cause cracking. Pellagra, a condition resulting from a lack of vitamin B3 (niacin), can lead to dermatitis and cracked fingernails.
Kawasaki disease: A rare condition that primarily affects children under five years old. It is characterized by a high fever lasting at least five days, followed by swelling and peeling of the skin on the hands, which can lead to peeling fingertips.
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Frequently asked questions
Dry skin is the most common cause of cracked fingertips. This can be caused by the weather, frequent hand washing, or exposure to water, which removes the natural oils that keep your hands moisturized. To treat this, you should moisturize your hands regularly and avoid frequent hand washing.
There are several medical conditions that can cause cracked fingertips, including eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, and anemia. If you suspect that your cracked fingertips are due to an underlying medical condition, you should consult a healthcare professional.
There are several products you can use to treat cracked fingertips, including ointments, creams, coconut oil, and lotion. It is recommended to use the product on slightly damp hands after washing, as this helps the emollient permeate the skin better.
