Is this your symptom?
- Cracked skin or dry, rough skin. Often on hands, feet and lips
Causes of Cracks in the Skin
- Most cracked skin is found on the feet, hands or lips.
- Feet. The soles of the feet are most often the problem. Most often, cracks occur on the heels and big toes. This is called tennis shoe dermatitis. Deep cracks are very painful and can bleed. The main cause is wearing wet or sweaty socks or swimming a lot.
- Hands. Cracks can develop on the hands. The main cause is washing the hands too much or washing dishes. Can also occur from working outside in winter weather or contact with detergents or other chemicals.
- Lips. The lips can become chapped from the sun or wind. If the lips become cracked, it's usually from a "lip-licking" habit. The skin around the lips can also become pink and dry.
Causes of Dry Skin
- Dry skin is a common condition.
- Soap. Dry skin is mainly caused by too much bathing and soap (soap dermatitis). Soap removes the skin's natural protective oils. Once they are gone, the skin can't hold moisture.
- Climate. Dry climates make dry skin worse, as does winter weather (winter itch).
- Genetics also plays a role in dry skin.
- Keratosis Pilaris is dry, rough, bumpy skin on the back of the upper arms. It's made worse by soaps. Treat with moisturizing creams.
- Pityriasis Alba is dry pale spots on the face. These are more common in the winter time and are also made worse by soaps. Treat with moisturizing creams.
- Eczema. People with eczema have very dry itchy skin.
- Contact dermatitis is due to contact with irritants.
Liquid Skin Bandage for Deep, Chronic Cracks
- Liquid plastic skin bandage can seal wounds. It is a plastic coating that lasts up to 1 week.
- It is the best way to relieve pain and promote healing. As the crack heals from the bottom upward, it pushes the plastic seal up.
- After the wound is washed and dried, put the liquid on. It comes with a small brush or with a swab. It dries in less than a minute. Then apply a second coat. It's waterproof and may last a week.
- You can buy this at any drugstore. No prescription is needed.
When to Call for Dry or Cracked Skin
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Fever and looks infected (spreading redness or pus)
- Fever and cracked red lips lasts 5 days or more
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Looks infected (pus or spreading redness)
- Bleeding from cracked lips or cracked skin
- Cracks on feet that make it hard to walk
- Cracks over the joints (such as inside the elbow or behind the knees) make it painful to use the joints
- Peeling skin and cause is not clear
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- After 2 weeks of treatment, cracked skin or cracked lips are not healed
- After 2 weeks of treatment, dry skin is still itchy
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Cracked skin on the feet or hands
- Chapped lips
- Dry, itchy skin caused by soap or cold/dry weather
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
