Increased Hand-Washing without Increased Irritation or Dryness: Best Practices
By Renata Block, PA-C & Monica Rani, MD
Advanced Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine (ADAM)
Welcome to the world of healthcare providers! I say this because you are probably now experiencing dry, flaky, cracked hands from lots of handwashing and hand-sanitizers. Healthcare workers deal with it daily, so let's give you some information and tips on how to continue upping hand washing during COVID 19 while keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
Why is Skin Important:
Skin needs a balance to be healthy and fully functional. Three essential natural fats make our skin into a strong barrier known as Cholesterol, Ceramides, and Fatty Acids. These can decline with age and increased washing or sanitizer use leading to cracking, pain and increasing the risk of infection.
But handwashing is CRITICAL to the effort to stop the spread of the virus- so continue, continue!
Fortunately, there are simple precautions you can take to avoid excessive dryness to handwashing.
TIPS for Healthy Hands and WHY it is essential:
Lukewarm water is best to maintain that balance as hot water can cause your hands to become even drier as the dry air can pull all the moisture out of your skin. Using cold water to wash hands is also fine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cold water is found to be just adequate to remove the debris accumulated to your skin.
Moisturizers should ALWAYS be applied after each hand wash or hand sanitizer application. For the best results, it is best to use it within three minutes after a hand wash. It is also essential to allow the sanitizer to dry before you apply any type of moisturizer entirely.
Wash your hands for a full 20 seconds, pat dry on a clean towel or let air dry (especially after sanitizer use). Then apply a moisturizer and make sure you get it at the tips of your fingers on the backs of your hands. Voila!
What kind of moisturizers:
Cream-based products are more substantial than lotions (think of something you can't pour out of a bottle). Look for ingredients that contain emollients to replace lost oils within the skin (those three essential natural fats I mentioned above) and prevent water loss. Some examples of emollients include mineral oil, petrolatum, cocoa butter, shea butter. Look for fragrance-free products to keep it simple.
Using a moisturizer after hand washing does NOT negative your handwashing efforts. So moisturize just as much as you hand wash.
Hand Sanitizers are a convenient alternative if soap and water are not available. As stated by the FDA, they must include at least 60% alcohol to be effective. Make sure children are always using it with adult supervision and keep it away from your pets.
Additional tip: For an added boost to combat skin dryness, consider adding a nighttime routine. Use an ointment based product - like petrolatum (Vasoline). Goop this on your hands generously at night (fair warning- it's greasy!). Then pull on some cotton gloves and sleep with them overnight (cotton socks will do in a pinch). Your hands will thank you ever so much in the morning! Do this once a week (or more often if you can) and your hands will be healthier and look younger.
What to do if your hands are still dry, cracked or painful:
If your hands are not improving with these symptoms, make sure you contact ADAM for a virtual visit to rule out any underlying health conditions and to receive appropriate treatment and guidance. Not doing so can make things worse and increase your risk of infection. For more information about ways to protect your skin and prevention of spreading COVID-19, please visit the CDC.
Please stay safe and healthy, and don't hesitate to reach out to ADAM for all of your dermatology concerns. We are here for you!