Do you suffer from chapped hands? If you do, the chances are that your skin deteriorates with the failing weather of autumn. However, dry, sore, cracked skin is not as inevitable as the drudgery of Christmas shopping. With just a little care and attention, chapped skin is a condition that is usually easily treated.

Unfortunately, the stresses of normal, everyday modern life subjects our skin to a mixture of chemicals and potential allergens that can seriously affect its ability to function efficiently. For most people this is not a major problem - until winter descends.

The cold, drying winds of winter can severely damage skin that is already susceptible to moisture loss. Combine the inhospitable outside climate with the low humidity warmth of centrally heated buildings and suddenly the outlook for skin can be rather downcast.

This is when the skin can become chapped, sore, cracked and split.

The rear of the hand, especially the knuckles, is a common area for dry soreness and chapped skin. This is because the hands are almost invariably exposed to the harsh external environment. They are also the part of the body that is regularly subjected to friction and exposure to a mixture of chemicals and cleansing agents.

The palm of the hand has a relatively thick epidermis, being about 30 cells in depth, and has evolved to include an extra protective layer called the lucidum. However, the back of the hand is covered with thinner, more delicate skin. Unfortunately, both the front and the back of a person's hands are usually subjected to the same rigours and this is when problems can develop.

Outside workers such as those who work in the forestry, construction and postal industries often suffer from chapped hands as soon as the first bite of the dry, cold winter winds strikes.

So, if you suffer from winter-induced chapped skin on the hands, what can you do to help alleviate the condition?

Skin protection and moisturising is the foundation of any successful treatment. However care should be taken.

Many people display an adverse reaction to rubber gloves. In addition, prolonged wearing of gloves can cause skin friction and interfere with normal perspiration. Both can aggravate already sensitised chapped skin.

If you choose to wear gloves, a soft cotton material is generally regarded as best, although these should be changed and washed regularly.

Using a barrier cream is another popular method of skin protection, but these can have inherent problems. Barrier creams can leave the hands feeling greasy and slippery. Whilst some thick creams can block the pores of the skin and prevent normal perspiration.

Barrier creams that quickly dry, becoming almost undetectable, are the best lifestyle choice.

Moisturiser the skin can also be problematical. Cosmetic moisturisers that contain a fragrance can induce a asdverse reation with some people, so they are best avoided. Other moisturisers need to be constantly reapplied after each hand wash and this is not always practicable.

Choose a barrier cream that is non-toxic, non-greasy and is both alcohol and fragrance free. If possible, the cream should also be wash resistant.

In addition to these basics, make the following simple adjustments to your lifestyle:

Try to limit the number of times you wash your hands during the day as this can strip off the essential epidermis lipids. When you do wash, always use a mild, fragrant free soap.

A hot bath that can exacerbate damaged skin, try taking a cool shower instead.

When drying your hands, use a soft towel and dab yourself dry rather than rubbing.

Lastly, and perhaps most important of all, do not scratch patches of dry skin - no matter how itchy it feels. Scratching may bring some instant relief, but the itchiness will soon return, prompting yet more scratching. This itch-scratch-itch cycle will likely result in additional damage to the epidermis.

With just a little care and attention you will soon find that chapped hands are as distant a memory as the sunshine of last summer.