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Dry Hands From Overwashing? Here’s Why You Should Care

Dry Hands From Overwashing? Here’s Why You Should Care

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As we are told to wash and sanitize our hands regularly, some people might find that their hands are becoming dry and cracked.

Not only is it uncomfortable and painful, having cracked hands can also be more dangerous. Dry cracks breaks the protective surface of our skin, giving bacteria an entry point into our bodies.

What’s actually happening?

Our skin produces natural oils that act as a barrier for dirt and grime. However, soap does not differentiate between protective oils and gunk, and washes them away equally. This leaves our skin stripped dry and easily irritated and inflamed.

Most hand sanitizers also include alcohol. While effective in killing bacteria and viruses, alcohol will dry out your skin, leaving you with the same problem.

Ouch.
(Credit: Manchester Evening News)

Then how?

It’s recommended to add another step to your hand-washing regime: after washing and drying your hands, apply some moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

Lotions, hand creams, or ointment are all good to maintain the health of your skin. Ointments or creams like petroleum jelly are the considered the best in terms of effectiveness. However, it’s recommended that you try out a few different types to see what suits you best.

Just remember that while tempting, products with added fragrances can be irritating to skin and some can cause further drying!

What if I just wash hands less la?

Washing your hands is imperative to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as Covid-19. Not only does washing your hands keep others safe, most importantly it keeps you safe, too. That’s why it’s recommend that you wash your hand frequently even if you do not feel that your hands are dirty.

The risk from a lack of hand-washing is much greater than the risk of dry skin, so do be sure to keep up your hygiene habits! Using hand creams is merely an additional step to the end of your regular routine.


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