Certain professions require exposure to substances or involve physical tasks that can cause severely dry skin. If you work in a job such as nursing, hairdressing or other work that exposes your skin (most likely your hands) to potentially irritating chemicals, you may be at risk of Occupational Irritant Contact Dermatitis (OICD), a common type of hand eczema. Symptoms include severely dry and cracked skin. Prevention is better than cure, and the specific precautions will differ per job. But, in general, gloves and protective clothing are a good idea(4), as well as using a specially formulated gentle cleanser when washing your hands, and applying a hydrating hand cream several times per day.