Skin Care Tips For Hand-Washing Irritation

By now, we all know that frequent hand-washing is one of several methods we can use to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And while we all should have been washing our hands thoroughly well before the novel coronavirus made itself known, the ever-present fear of transmission has made most of us pay closer attention to how often we wash our hands and for how long.

But while increasing your cleanliness can potentially lower your risk of catching COVID-19, there are other effects of frequent hand-washing that can exacerbate other health concerns. For example, around 31.6 million Americans (or just over 10% of the population) have some form of eczema. Even those who don’t require the use of eczema care products under normal circumstances may find that they require dry skin relief as a result of the hand-washing irritation they are now experiencing.

Continuing to follow guidelines recommended by the CDC is critical. But you can stay safe while reducing your own discomfort. Whether you have an already diagnosed skin condition or you’re on the hunt for products that can provide some topical pain relief due to frequent hand-washing, here are some dry skin relief tips to keep in mind during the ongoing pandemic.

Go Fragrance-Free

The type of soap you use doesn’t really matter in terms of its ability to remove dirt and germs. However, the kind of soap may make a difference in how your hands feel. It’s generally a good idea to steer clear of soaps that contain added fragrances; although they may smell nice, they can trigger certain allergies or skin sensitivities (including eczema). You may also want to avoid soaps that contain methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, cocamidopropyl betaine, or Balsam of Peru, as these can be problematic for those with sensitive skin. Instead, look for soaps that contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, ceramides, or natural oils (like avocado, jojoba, or coconut). It could be that switching out your soap of choice could be an important step in your itch relief skin care routine.

Watch Your Temperature

In regards to COVID-19, you may be on the lookout for changes in your body temperature. After all, a fever can be a sign you’re fighting off an infection. But you’ll also need to pay attention to the temperature of the water you use. You might assume that hot water will kill germs more readily than cold water will. But according to experts, the temperature of the water you use to wash your hands really has no bearing on germ elimination. What’s more, hot water can dry out your skin and exacerbate irritation. If you’re looking for dry skin relief ideas, try washing with cool or lukewarm water instead.

Always Pat Dry

You might not love the feeling of excess water on your hands, but you should be careful about how you dry them. Rubbing them thoroughly with a towel can make skin irritation worse, so you should always gently pat your hands dry to avoid this. If you can stand to air dry them, that’s going to be better for your skin. But even if you do pat dry, don’t feel pressured to get every drop of water. This will come in handy during the next step.

Add Moisture Back In

After you wash your hands and pat them dry, there’s another thing you can do for dry skin relief: moisturize. You should apply a generous amount of hand cream or eczema care cream to slightly damp hands in order to lock in the moisture. Make sure whatever cream, lotion, or other topical treatment you use is hypoallergenic and free of any potential irritants or dyes. Apply your moisturizer as needed throughout the day, as well as after washing your hands and before going to bed.

If you’ve been searching for dry skin relief as a result of frequent hand-washing, you certainly aren’t alone. But with these tips in mind, you can keep skin irritation at bay and stay healthy at the same time. To learn more about our eczema care products and more, please contact MagniLife today.