7 tips to keep your hands healthy when washing your hands often

With the COVID-19 outbreak, Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are constantly airing messages encouraging people to wash their hands often. Routine handwashing is the most effective measure that individuals can take regularly to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. But handwashing also makes the skin of the hands drier, especially in relatively dry climates or in people who frequently suffer from dry skin.

Some key messages to keep in mind are as follows:

  • Washing your hands often can keep you away from bacteria, but can also affect your skin.
  • Washing your hands with warm water instead of hot water can keep your hands from drying out.
  • Quick hand sanitizer can be used temporarily in place of handwashing in case hands are cracking.

Whether it's the rapidly growing Corona pandemic or in winter, handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. "Unfortunately, regular soap and even handwashing in hot water will break down the barrier we're trying to protect," Dr. Adam Friedman, a professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health, told Healthline. Since currently, everyone tries to wash their hands more often to prevent disease, dermatologists have shared the following 7 tips to help keep your skin healthy.

1. Rinse with warm water

Dr. Daniela Kroshinsky, director of the department of pediatric dermatology and inpatient dermatology at Massachusetts General Health Hub, recommends that hands be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. About enough time for 1 handwashing (20 seconds) is enough to sing the song "Happy birthday" twice. Make sure the soap is rubbed evenly on the back of the hand, finger, in the middle of the finger, wrist and nail, Kroshinsky's fingertips told Healthline. She said washing your hands in warm water is best measure, not hot water. Hot water will then dry your hands and will not help the effectiveness of handwashing better.

Lucy Xu, a dermatologist and founder of the London Premier Laser and Skin Clinic, agreed that hot water drifts away, losing the effect of all hand lotions even water-resistant. So instead of washing your hands in hot water, wash your hands with warm water and use plenty of soap.

wash hands

Wash your hands with warm water with plenty of soap to limit skin dryness

2. Use moisturizing soap

Since a variety of soaps can peel off the skin and cause our skin to dry out and crack, dermatologist Lucy Xu advises that wash your hands with soap that moisturizes. For example, a soap with a high density of cream. You should also look for soap with ingredients such as glycerin and lanolin. Also, try to avoid using soap lumps.

Renée Rouleau, skin care expert and cosmetuls specialist, also suggests staying away from lumpy soap. Adhesives in lumpy soap have a high pH, which will cause unnecessary drying. Instead, opt for liquid soaps because they often dry the skin less,' Roul Rouleau told Healthline.

Dermatologist Lucy Xu adds that no matter what soap you use, try to wash your hands gently, don't be too your hands when performing handwashing operations. Even in case you are in a hurry. Try gently not to damage the skin, she said.

3. Apply moisturizer

When water no longer lingers on your skin after washing your hands, your hands may become drier. The reason is that water acts as a magnet and it will suck water from the deepest layers of the skin and evaporate into dry air. The result is even tighter, drier skin. To protect the skin of your hands, apply lotion immediately after washing your hands. Even a light layer will work, Roul Rouleau said.

Friedman suggests using moisturizers or ointments instead of lotions, as lotions have too much water content, and therefore cannot prevent drainage through the skin. Although the term 'moisturizer has very little scientific significance – the skin is not provided with a amount of moisturizer – applying moisturizer is a fundamental measure of the imbalances caused by breaking the skin barrier, Fried Friedman said. He said moisturizers help take care of the skin because they:

  • Restores the protective function of the epidermis
  • Provides a layer of protection
  • Increase the water content of the epidermis
  • Soothes the skin
  • Improves the appearance of skin wrinkles.

hand skin

Warm cream increases water content and creates a protective layer of skin

He noted that the ingredients in topical moisturizers that help protect the skin include:

  • Occlusive: lanolin acid, stearic acid, capbest/capric triglyceride, mineral oil, paraffin, cyclomethicon, dimethicon, squalene
  • Humidifiers: sodium pyrrolidine, carboxylic acid, lactate, urea, glycerin, honey, sorbitol
  • Softener: cyclomethicon, dimethicon, isopropyl myristate, octyl octanoate

Mr. Kroshinsky also agrees with the advice to use moisturizer after each wash, before going to bed, and whenever you feel your skin dries out.

4. Wear gloves

In addition to applying moisturizer to moisturize skin after washing hands, Friedman said soak your hands in water for 5 minutes, then apply moisturizer and wear gloves for 1 to 2 hours. "This will ensure that surface moisture penetrates down the destinations under the skin," he said.

For much cracked hands, Xu said moisturizing several times with thick cream and wearing cotton gloves overnight is an effective measure. "Like a mask, gloves will moisturize your hands for 6 to 8 hours," she said.

Friedman added: Wearing gloves on cold windy days can also keep dry breezes out of contact and damage dry skin

5. Use skincare

If you suffer from skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis and find your dry skin getting drier, rough or cracked due to more washing, Xu recommends choosing a skincare oil like Vaseline and applying it directly on ulcers or cracks .

"This will both soothe these areas of skin as well as protect it from getting even heavier, especially if you regularly go out on the street that will make your skin more badly damaged," she said.

If you have deep cracks then liquid cream is the most effective solution to make cracks faster, Friedman said

dry skin

Use balm to improve rough skin

6. Hand sanitizer substitutes for soap

If your hands are too cracked when you wash your hands, Kroshinsky says you can temporarily use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is another option to limit handwashing until your skin recovers, but not before eating, after going to the bathroom, or when hands get dirty – those are the times when you need to wash your hands with soap and water, she said.

7. Dry hands after washing

When drying your hands, it is best to use a paper towel, but if you use a cloth towel, each person in the house should have their own towel and separate towel should be changed regularly every 3 days. "Make sure the hands are completely dried, as germs are easier to move and work on wet hands," she said.

Conclusion: Thus we should wash our hands with warm water (cold water for summer weather) instead of hot water. It is also necessary to use regular lotions and dry your hands properly after washing.

Source: Healthline.com

SEE MORE:

  • Should children use hand sanitizer or soap?
  • Guidance on handwashing steps according to the standards of the Ministry of Health
  • What happens when you don't wash your hands?

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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