I don't know what to do anymore... my hands are severly dry to the point where they have cracked open at some places. they always tend to get dry in the winter and I do have somewhat sensitive skin but they have never been this bad! it hurts to the point where if I bend my fingers (and believe me, you have to do so for virtually any activity/movement) it hurts if there's an open sore... I know that washing your hands a lot can make things worse but I don't think I wash them obsessively... I have never been diagnosed w/ excema but I also tend not to go to the doctor unless it's for a severe flu etc... I've had an eating disorder for many years now, so I'm thinking if maybe that contributes to the dry skin? not just purging but just not getting enough nutrients (ie. vitamins, minerals)... I read somewhere that if you don't get enough fat you can get dry skin...

is this bad or not? I don't feel comfortable telling a doctor about my ed but I know all they'll do is tell me to use lotion.. should I just stick it out? is this normal in any sense??? is it most likely due to the cold weather? or something else? what can I do besides using lotion (which I don't like) to make them not be so sensitive???