Severe dry, cracking skin on hands (worse in summer) — eczema, psoriasis, or something else?
Hey everyone,
I’ve been dealing with a really frustrating skin issue on my hands (and sometimes fingers of my feet), especially during the summer, and I’m trying to understand what it actually is.
My skin gets extremely dry, flaky/white, and rough. If I don’t apply any lotion or cream, it keeps getting worse and eventually develops cracks. When I move my fingers, those cracks can open up and sometimes even bleed, which is painful and annoying.
A few things I’ve noticed:
- It gets worse with frequent hand washing, soaps, or sanitizers
- Summer seems to trigger it more
- If I apply any random moisturizer/lotion, it improves pretty quickly
- But if I stop moisturizing → it comes right back
For context: I also have scalp psoriasis, for which I take treatment on and off. So I’m wondering if this could be related, or if it’s something like eczema or just extreme dryness.
Has anyone experienced something similar?
- How did you figure out what it was?
- What actually helped long-term (not just temporary relief)?
- Any specific creams or routines you’d recommend?
Would really appreciate any advice 🙏
Posted Apr 29, 2026, 6:56 AM UTC