How to Cure Severely Chapped Hands

Last Updated: June 29, 2021

Do your hands get so severely chapped in the winter that simply putting lotion on them isn't enough? If, for example, you have a job where you have to wash your hands frequently, or you work outdoors but are unable to wear gloves, your hands may become so dry that they crack and bleed, and this can be extremely painful. Here's a simple way to take care of this that doesn't require purchasing expensive lotions or treatments.

Steps

1
As part of your nightly preparation for bed, apply a liberal coating of Vaseline or A&D Ointment only on the backs of your hands in the affected areas. Apply the ointment to both hands.
2
Place a sandwich bag over one of your hands.

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3
Wrap masking tape around your wrist to keep the bag in place. If you do not have these materials, you could wear gloves to keep the Vaseline in place.
4
Slip a bag over the other hand and secure it with tape as well.
5
Remove the bags in the morning when you wake and discard them.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do if my hands are chapped from washing so often?

Community Answer

Start out by applying a natural oil to the parts of your hands that are the most chapped. Next, add a moisturizing cream and/or lotion to your hands. Then add some Neva cream. Then add triple moisture cream and lotion. Put plastic bags over them and tie the bags with hair elastics. Let your hands moisturize.
Question

Can I put triple antibiotic ointment on my chapped hands?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just keep in mind that it is for the skin only. You shouldn't apply it to open wounds.

Warnings

Be careful to wrap the tape around the bag and not your skin, as this could be painful to remove in the morning.

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Don't wrap your wrists too tightly, as this could cut off your circulation. Just a loop of tape should do.

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