Ten Tips for Surviving Over-Washed Hands

Washing your hands is one of the simplest and most-effective ways to protect yourself from a virus. However, no one likes the dry, itchy, flaky skin that can result from all that soap and water.

Instead of worrying about your skin each time you wash your hands, use these simple tips to prevent dry hands while we all stay safe:

  1. Keep using hand sanitizer. The CDC recommends using sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to kill germs, a proper sanitizer can remove a lot of moisture. This is a necessary result of killing those germs. Simply apply your hand cream/lotion after the sanitizer dries.
  2. Avoid excessive heat. When you wash your hands, use lukewarm water. It is just as effective as hot water, which is more likely to extract moisture out of your skin. The same applies to heated hand dryers. When possible, air dry your hands.

  3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. After you wash your hands, apply your hand cream/lotion while they are still damp. A pea-sized amount should be worked into your hands, fingertips, and nails. You should moisturize your hands several times a day. Avoid lotions with fragrances and dyes; these can irritate your already-sensitive skin. Carry a small bottle of lotion with you that contains at least one of the ingredients below:

    • Glycerin
    • Jojoba oil
    • Cocoa butter
    • Aloe

    If you think your skin may require a deep-tissue moisturizing, rather than a simple surface fix, try something intended for animals. Bag balm, for instance, is used to soften and heal dryness and cracking in the thick skin of a cow’s udder.

  4. Try gloves. When doing activities that involve water try wearing gloves. If you wash a lot of dishes, gloves will protect your skin and, if you wear them while out of the house, you can cut down on the number of times you have to wash or sanitize your hands.

  5. Treat overnight. Put lotion or moisturizer on your hands and cover them with soft gloves or socks. This will trap the cream against your skin and aid in its absorption of more moisture during the hours you are asleep.
  6. Decrease stress. This may seem impossible right now, but there are possible associations between skin issues and stress. Find ways to give yourself a little self-care during this time. You may find that your skin calms down and other areas of your daily life will see improvement as well.
  7. Promote healthy skin. Drink at least 8 oz of water every day. Add foods and supplements to your diet that promote healthy skin.
  8. Prescription creams or wet dressings. If your skin is severely cracked, your doctor might prescribe a special lotion with lactic acid or urea to aid in healing. Wet dressings are also helpful when the dryness is very painful.
  9. Consider medication. Some extreme cases, or those resulting from underlying causes, may require medications to heal. Ask your doctor about options.

Don’t rule out a medical condition. Your dry skin may not be a result of regularly washing your hands. Some medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders like diabetes, lupus, etc., lower blood circulation in the hands. Your skin may become irritated and react strongly to common issues. Eczema and psoriasis can cause dryness, peeling, and cracking.

There are certain symptoms that can indicate a severe problem. If you notice one or more of these, seek help from your dermatologist or doctor:

  • Skin discoloration
  • Bleeding
  • Extreme redness
  • Drainage from open areas of skin
  • Swelling

Even though dry hands can be a frustration, keep washing. Your health is important and dry skin can usually be remedied quickly. Be consistent with whatever you are using and if your skin does not improve, or grows worse, contact your dermatologist or doctor.

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