Why do my hands burn after putting lotion on them when they've been really dry?

Asked by poofandmook (17320

) February 16th, 2009

It’s winter. Plus, I’m a compulsive hand-washer… so my hands get really dry and sometimes I forget lotion until it’s too late and they’re super dry. It seems to me that the lotion should make it feel better, not burn and show little red spots all over my hands.

It’s not the lotion, and it’s not an allergy… because I use all different lotions, and sometimes just 100% aloe gel.

skin care

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4 Answers

When your hands get extremely dry, tiny cracks form on the surface of your skin. That’s why it hurts when you have dry hands, and you move them, you’re stretching out the little cuts. When you put lotion on them, then it’s basically like you’re rubbing the lotion into a bunch of teeny tiny cuts. Ouch.

La_chica_gomela (12594

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Try sleeping with vasaline on your hands with gloves over night for a few nights. It should help heal your hands and make them softer.

Emdean1 (685

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Get a jar of Queen Helene coco butter. You can get it at Wal-Mart & it’s super cheap. A little dab will do you & it lastes forever. The first ingredient in it is mineral oil. Rub a little on your hands & especially before you go to bed. It feels WONDERFUL & it will NOT burn your hands.

jbfletcherfan (13212

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