Preventing & Treating Dry or Cracked Skin on the Hand
Frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers are crucial for maintaining hygiene, especially in the context of preventing the spread of infections and diseases. However, these practices can lead to various skin issues, particularly for individuals who must wash their hands frequently due to their profession.
In this article Detroit area board certified hand surgeon Dr. Rehman explains 5 things you can do, to prevent dry, cracking or itching skin due to frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing – while still maintaining the best methods of sanitizing your hands to prevent contagion.
How Hand Washing & Sanitizers Damage Skin
Excessive hand washing and frequent use of hand sanitizers can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even dermatitis. Soaps and sanitizers, especially those with high alcohol content, can disrupt the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental irritants and allergens. This can result in conditions such as irritant contact dermatitis, characterized by redness, itching, and cracked skin. Long-term exposure can also lead to chronic hand eczema, a more severe condition that may cause significant discomfort and require specialized medical treatment.
Certain professions are more at risk for these skin issues due to the nature of their work. Healthcare workers, food service employees, and individuals in cleaning and sanitation roles are particularly vulnerable due to the necessity of frequent hand hygiene. Additionally, individuals with pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, may find their symptoms exacerbated by constant hand washing and sanitizer use.
Prolonged skin damage from these practices can lead to more severe complications, such as secondary infections. When the skin barrier is compromised, bacteria and viruses can enter more easily, leading to infections that might require antibiotic treatment. In severe cases, chronic dermatitis or eczema can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, causing pain, limiting hand function, and requiring long-term medical management.
It’s essential for those at high risk to take preventive measures to protect their skin. For persistent or severe skin issues, consulting with a specialist like Dr. Uzma Rehman can provide personalized treatment plans to manage symptoms and maintain skin health while continuing essential hand hygiene practices.
#1. Wash your hands with lukewarm (not hot) water.
We all know from the endless Covid-19 warnings and media coverage that the best means of hand sterilization to avoid coronavirus is to wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or more – always washing in between the fingers and around and under the fingernails.
However, the water you use doesn’t have to be “burning hot” to kill the coronavirus. Scientists have confirmed that lukewarm water used with soap is sufficient to kill Covid-19 – and warm water will not dry out the skin as much as very hot water.
#2. Moisturize immediately after you wash your hands.
Hand doctors advise keeping a container of lotion next to the sink(s) to moisturize immediately after you wash your hands. Doing so while your hands are still damp, actually serves to “lock in” the skin’s moisture – preventing cracking and dryness.
#3. Use an oil based hand moisturizer.
Hand doctors understand that any skin care products are hard to get ahold of during the Covid-19 pandemic – so really using any type of moisturizer is better than no moisturizer at all. However, if at all possible, try to regularly use moisturizers that contain mineral oil or petroleum on your hands.
Moisturizing ointments and creams that are sold in a tube or jar are typically more likely to be petroleum or oil based. While “pump bottle” lotions are less likely to contain the oils that provide superior skin barriers.
Remember, if at all possible, to use fragrance-free and dye-free moisturizers, too. These have less chance of irritating to the skin.
No lotion? Apply a dab of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline)! This can be very effective not only after hand washing, but before going to bed as well.
#4. Resort to Hand Sanitizer ONLY IF Soap & Water is NOT available.
The coronavirus is best destroyed by plain old soap and water – so hand doctors and immunologists alike recommend only using hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available.
If you must use hand sanitizer, the CDC reports that only sanitizers made with 60% or more alcohol are effective at killing the Covid-19 virus.
Additionally, alcohol based hand sanitizers cause even more drying and cracking of the hands than soap. So, after using hand sanitizer also apply moisturizer immediately, whenever possible, after your hand sanitizer completely dries.
#5. Use mild, fragrance-free soaps & sanitizers.
The fragrance added to soaps and sanitizers are not only harsh on skin, but can cause allergic reactions, such as rashes, in individuals who are sensitive to these ingredients. Opt for fragrance free, additive free soap whenever possible. And when applying hand sanitizers regularly, opt for hand sanitizers with added moisturizers such as natural aloe vera gel.
#6. Consult a doctor for cracked, bleeding or itching skin.
If hand washing or sanitizers have dried out your hands to the point of bleeding or excessive itching, Dr. Rehman can consult with you and offer prescription products to protect and heal your hands.
And, people with pre-existing or underlying skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, may be particularly prone to skin problems resulting from increased hand washing or sanitizing. These patients should stay in touch with their treating doctor to ensure their condition does not become worse.
Detroit Area Hand Doctor
Keep in mind that, even if your hands are getting dry, it is essential to continue to wash them, in order to destroy and remove bacteria and germs, including the flu and the coronavirus
Try to follow the tips above, as often as is possible, to help reduce dry or cracked skin. And, if these steps are not sufficient to remedy your dry skin issues, schedule a consultation with a board-certified hand doctor, Dr. Uzma Rehman. In many cases she will be able to offer a prescription cream or ointment that will resolve the problem and restore your the skin on your hands to a smooth, clear condition.
