Chapped hands occur when the skin on your hands becomes excessively dry, rough, and often cracked. This condition can be a source of significant discomfort and pain, making everyday tasks challenging and sometimes even impossible. The skin on your hands is particularly susceptible to chapping due to frequent exposure to environmental factors, irritants, and the natural wear and tear from daily activities. At Park Avenue Skin Care, we understand the frustration, inconvenience and discomfort that chapped hands can cause. Our goal is to provide effective treatments that not only soothe and heal your skin but also restore its natural barrier function to prevent future occurrences. Our comprehensive approach addresses both the symptoms and the underlying causes of chapped hands, ensuring that your skin remains healthy, painfree, hydrated, and resilient.

The symptoms of chapped hands in NYC can range from mild dryness and rough texture to severe cracking, pain and bleeding. This condition not only causes physical discomfort but can also impact your ability to perform routine tasks such as writing, typing, cooking, and even washing your hands. When the skin barrier is compromised, it becomes more vulnerable to infections and further damage, which can in turn exacerbate the problem and prolong the healing process. By focusing on both immediate relief and long-term prevention, we aim to help you achieve soft, smooth, healthy and painfree hands. Trust Park Avenue Skin Care to provide the expert care and solutions you need to overcome the discomfort and inconvenience of chapped hands and enjoy the freedom of healthy skin.

Chapped hands can result from various factors, including:

  1. Environmental Conditions: Exposure to cold, dry winter and fall weather can strip moisture from your skin, leading to dryness and chapping. Wind and the low humidity levels of cold air exacerbate the problem, making the skin on your hands more susceptible to cracking. But wait!  Air conditioned air that we all rely on all summer is even drier!!!!! So no season is friendly to this problem!
  2. Frequent Hand Washing: While essential for hygiene, frequent hand washing with harsh soaps (and even mild soaps!!)  can remove natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness and chapping. This is particularly common among healthcare workers, chefs, “compulsive hand washers” and others who wash their hands often.
  3. Chemical Exposure: Regular contact with cleaning agents, detergents, and other harsh chemicals can irritate and dry out the skin on your hands, causing them to become chapped.
  4. Skin Conditions: Individuals with skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis are more prone to developing chapped hands due to chronic inflammation and dryness.
  5. Allergies and Irritants: Allergic reactions or exposure to irritants can lead to inflamed skin with subsequent  dryness and chapping, particularly if the hands are in frequent contact with allergens or irritants.
Park Avenue Skin Care offers a range of treatments designed to deeply moisturize and protect your skin, including specialized creams, ointments, and protective measures tailored to your specific needs. Whether your chapped hands are due to environmental exposure, frequent hand washing, or underlying skin conditions, our experienced dermatologists will develop a personalized treatment plan to bring relief and restore your skin's health and comfort.

Our comprehensive approach to treating chapped hands aims to restore moisture, repair the skin barrier, and prevent future dryness and inflammation which again leads to chapping. Here are some of the treatment options we provide:

  1. Moisturizing Creams and Ointments: Applying thick, emollient-rich creams and ointments can help lock in moisture and protect the skin from further dryness. We recommend using products containing ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and ceramides to restore hydration and repair the skin barrier.
  2. Hydrating Gloves: Wearing moisturizing gloves overnight can provide intensive hydration to your hands. These gloves are often infused with moisturizing agents that penetrate the skin, promoting healing and preventing further chapping.
  3. Prescription Topical Treatments: For severe cases, our dermatologists may prescribe topical treatments containing corticosteroids or other medicated ingredients to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and relieve discomfort.
  4. Protective Measures: To prevent further irritation and chapping, it's essential to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, cold weather, and excessive moisture loss. Wearing gloves while cleaning, using mild soaps, and applying a barrier cream before exposure to irritants can help maintain healthy skin.
  5. Topical or even oral antibiotics when the chapped cracked skin has become infected because the tiny cracks allow infection causing bacteria.

At Park Avenue Skin Care, we understand the impact that chapped hands can have on your daily life. Our experienced dermatologists will assess your condition and tailor a personalized treatment plan to address your specific concerns. Whether you're dealing with mild dryness or severe painful chapping, we're here to help you achieve healthier, more comfortable skin.

During your appointment, our dermatologists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your skin and discuss your symptoms and triggers. Based on this assessment, we will recommend the most appropriate treatment options to effectively manage your condition and improve your skin's health, appearance and comfort.

Patient Reviews

I've been seeing Dr. Schultz for the last 8 years and during that time, I've recommended him to countless friends for both cosmetic and medical dermatologic help. I trust him completely both diagnostically and aesthetically. When I had shingles, he was wonderful, incredibly supportive and kind. And when I eased into doing more cosmetic dermatology, he was– and continues to be– patient, careful and cautious. He listens to concerns and really hears what your goal outcome is and works with you to make it happen. I wanted to maintain a natural look while keeping my skin looking fresh and that's just what he's done for me. I always leave his office feeling prettier and well-cared for! If you have a medical concern or something about your skin you want to upgrade, you can't do better than Dr. Schultz and his wonderful team. And the products are amazing as well!

- Laura B.

Dr. Schultz is the most thorough and good natured dermatologist I have ever seen. I have been a patient of his for more than 20 years. He has taught me everything I know about the value of taking care of my skin, a gift that keeps on giving. He also takes the time to listen to me, to see me as an individual and doesn't treat my needs as a one size fits all doctor. I really appreciate his kindness, patience and expertise. I absolutely love his product line and have definitely reaped the rewards from using it, especially his glycolic peel pads and moisturizer, which I can't live without. My skin feels softer, smoother, appears more translucent and actually looks younger! He helped me to see beyond the lines and wrinkles, although he so good at helping to keep those at bay while maintaining a very natural appearance. His staff is outstanding. They make you feel welcome, like family, from the moment you walk through the door. Angela, Monika, Deborah and all of the support staff are extraordinary at what they do. Thank you Dr. Schultz and everyone at Park Ave Skincare. You're the best!

- Laura M.

Dr. Schultz has truly transformed my skin, so much so that I can confidently leave the house without wearing makeup now. During my first meeting with him, he intently listened to my skin concerns, we discussed what my goals were, and he explained pragmatically what treatments and products he recommended for me. I truly appreciate his fantastic bedside manner and conservative approach. I am a perfectionist in every aspect of my life, including my skin, and he understood this and was committed to helping me achieve every skin goal I had. The entire staff is just so fantastic and friendly, from reception to the PAs. They make you feel welcome and extremely comfortable, which to me is very important when visiting any doctor’s office. As someone who works too much and never gets enough sleep, my skin was looking very dull and lifeless. My skin is now full of life again and has an incredible glow to it which I have never had before. And I owe it all to the incredible Dr. Schultz.

- Kelly D.

My partnership with Dr Schultz began more than 30 years ago. As a generous friend, advisor, skilled surgeon, and superb cosmetic diagnostician, he has enabled me to look my best. He has kept me abreast of the most sophisticated procedures and in so doing, has maximized my appearance, always guided by what will be most beneficial for me. He is someone I go to for advice and care and his staff is another manifestation of this care. I don’t know many patients who can say this, and I feel fortunate to be among them.

- Ellen R.

In the four years that I've been a patient of Dr. Schultz, my acne-prone skin has gone from constant breakouts to smooth and clear. These days, I feel confident and comfortable enough in my skin to wear minimal makeup, if any—which I never would have done in years past. He and his warm, friendly staff always go above and beyond; he takes the time to listen, talk with me, and create the best plan for my skin. It's clear he has my best interests in mind, and I trust him wholeheartedly. I would highly recommend him to friends, family, and frankly, anyone who asks.

- Deanna P.

Each session with Dr. Schultz is a mini education in skin care. He approaches each patient as a unique individual with different needs. I’m Asian and he’s explained to me how that impacts treatment in a clear manner that a layperson can understand. At each examination, he recites detailed notes to his staff which he then refers back to at each future appointment, adjusting and tweaking treatment plans when necessary. Over the past two years I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in my blemishes and overall complexion and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to enhance their appearance.

- Sherry G.

I have been a patient of Dr. Schultz for many years, and I continue to be amazed at his medical approach, patience, and professionalism. He takes the time to listen to my health concerns, explains how and why he would like to issue a treatment in a way that I understand , answers all of my questions, and all of his procedures and painless and thorough. He is very attentive, results-oriented, and extremely knowledgeable. He follows up and is committed to my health and satisfaction. The Park Avenue Skincare is a calm environment and the staff are all very friendly, warm, and respectful. It's easy to get appointments at a time that works for me and they are always on time and considerate. I think so highly of him and his practice that I sent my mom to him, and continue to go to his office even though my life is based in midtown west! I have great confidence in the care that he gives.

- Katrina A.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can chapped hands lead to infection?

    Yes, chapped hands can create openings in the skin that allow bacteria Read More

  • When should I see a dermatologist for my chapped hands?

    If your chapped hands are not improving with home treatments in a Read More

  • What can I do at home to treat my chapped hands?

    At home, you can apply thick moisturizing creams or ointments, wear hydrating Read More

  • Are there specific products I should use for chapped hands?

    Look for products that contain emollient-rich ingredients like shea butter, argon oil Read More

  • How can I prevent my hands from chapping in the future?

    To prevent future chapping, maintain regular moisturizing routines, wear gloves when exposed Read More

Rejuvenate Your Skin

Make your skin care a priority with leading-dermatologist and New York Magazine’s “Top Doctor”: Dr. Neal Schultz.



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