The skin on the back of my hands is dry and my hands crack over the knuckle areas. Also, if I sleep with my fingers entwined it’s sore where each finger presses against the next. I don’t know if Diabetes Insipidus is involved, or Hypothyroid, or what. When they get particularly bad I slap the hand cream on at night and don a pair of white cotton gloves, to keep it contained and give my hands a ‘deep treatment’.
Your tough thickened skin areas could be a touch of scleroderma I suppose, some people have it to a mild degree. Just a thought.
Barbara
(UK)