(BPT) - Cold weather can be tough on skin, particularly on the hands and feet. A decrease in humidity paired with harsh temperatures can make hands and feet dry, cracked, achy and susceptible to infection. It’s important to take some simple steps to protect extremities so they remain healthy all season long.

Step one: Moisturize to prevent infection

Cold weather brings with it cold and flu season, and we all tend to wash our hands frequently, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby, and take hot showers to stay clean and warm. These activities can make skin extremely dry, which can cause cracking on both the hands and feet. Because your skin is the first line of defense against infection, it’s important to take steps to prevent cracks and keep hands and feet healthy and moisturized.