Dry, cracked skin looks bad and feels worse. Cold, dry air exacerbates the problem - dry, flaky skin appears on the heels, elbows, fingers or toes. As the first day of Autumn has quickly past the chill in the air is being felt by many of us. Today I was just noticing my hands were starting to feel a little dry. Without the treatment of lotion, my hands become extremely dry during the winter months. I have found relief in Avon's Moisture Therapy Intense Treatment Hand Cream (878-160). I always make sure I keep some handy in my purse, car and at home.
As for my feet the one product I will always stand by for my cracked skin is Avon's Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream (192-600) I use this religiously during the winter months and also during the warm months. It helps sooth and repair you sore cracked skin.
So, what causes cracked skin? We understand the elements that cause it such as the cool weather, but what really causes cracked skin? Anyone can develop hardened, cracked skin, especially in the winter. Some of us suffer from cracked skin more severally than others. It can depend on where you live, how you live, what you do and your lifestyle.
Diabetics often have severely cracked skin. It is estimated that 17 million Americans have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and almost 6 million people have the disease but have not been diagnosed. Nobody knows exactly why diabetics are prone to skin cracks, but the problem appears to involve the nervous system. Nerves in the legs and feet do not get the message to keep the skin soft and moist. Once the skin dries out and cracks appear, high blood glucose levels allow bacteria to thrive, making the problem worse.
However, non-diabetics suffer from dry, cracked skin, too. Other factors that can be involved include:
- Prolonged standing, especially on hard floors.
- Obesity or being overweight (this increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways - if the skin is not supple and flexible, the pressures to 'crack' are high)
- Open backs on shoes (this causes the pad under the heel to expand sideways and 'crack')
- Medical conditions (neuropathy in diabetics limits sweating; an under active thyroid lowers the body's metabolic rate and there is a reduction in sweating, leading to a dryness of the skin)
- Skin conditions (psoriasis and eczema)
What do you do to help with your cracked skin? There are many ways you can prevent, help sooth and stop the severity of cracked skin. I always do my best to wear gloves and protect my skin from the harsh cold temperatures. Every morning I always hydrate my skin with Avon's Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Body Lotion (240-666). I then am always reapplying the lotion to my hands and elbows.
I am a clean freak and I am always washing my hands. Washing them in hot water makes cracked hands even worse. I try to either use hand sanitizer (which can REALLY burn if you have any cuts! OUCH!!) or I try to keep the water cool. Avon has some AWESOME pocket or purse size hand antibacterial gel. They are $1.49 each and come in 3 different scents. My favorite is the Naturals Antibacterial Mini Hand Gel in Vanilla (314-433)
I also end my day by applying the Avon's Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream (192-600). I put it on every evening (there I times I miss) because I then just slip socks on, enjoy the smell and wake up with soft wonder feet I can love!!
Here are some other options for treating cracked skin:
- Soak cracked skin in tepid water for five minutes.
- Avoid washing with hot water, and avoid strong soaps.
- Cover up. If you are prone to cracked skin on your hands, use rubber gloves while doing the dishes.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Pamper your feet - wear sports shoes, especially broad-fitting, or those designed for walking. Wear clean, well-fitting, cotton or wool socks.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
Avon has many great products that will help you with your skincare needs, especially now that the cooler weather is coming your skin might need that relief. Please call (314-495-2699) or email me (juliesutton.avon@att.net) if you have any questions.
You can shop directly through me On My Online Avon Store.
