Every winter, my skin gets awfully dry and itchy. My hands and particularly my fingertips really suffer. At times they crack and bleed. I heard that you have written about solutions for these problems. I would be so grateful if you would send me any information you have.
As indoor heating systems come on, humidity drops. That may be why dry skin is worse in the winter. Washing hands frequently to avoid colds or flu also aggravates dry skin.
Readers have suggested a variety of solutions, including O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream, Thera- Seal Hand Protection and Lotil Cream. Inexpensive farmers' moisturizers such as Bag Balm, Corn Huskers Lotion and Udder Cream (an underwriter of our radio show) also are popular.
Cracked fingertips can be extremely painful, and moisturizing isn't always enough. Some readers use ChapStick or liquid bandage on split skin.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site.
