I had the same sort of cracks and cuts on the palm of my hand for three months and it turned out to be an allergy to detergents. You'll need to go to a dermatologist who will likely prescribe a steroid cream. My ob-gyn assured me that they're safe to use during pregancy. No cosmetic or over-the-counter lotion will help. Believe me, I tried everything -- slathering Vaseline on my hands and wearing socks over them at night, putting on lotion after coming in contact with water, etc. Nothing worked! After I started using the medication, my hands improved within a day, although it will be about a month before the skin heals completely. Also, use a neutral soap (the dermatologist can recommend one) and avoid coming in contact with dishwashing liquid and other cleansers. Wear two sets of gloves -- cotton gloves under vinyl -- for doing housework. Good luck!