After all the washing, how to heal chapped hands
In addition to social distancing, medical experts say frequent hand washing is a critical weapon in the fight to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
But all that soap and water and alcohol-based sanitizer can take a toll.
“We should be washing and using sanitizer all the time, but especially now,” said Dr. Christen Mowad, past president and current board member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology who is the director of dermatology at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Montour County. “But the frequent use of soap and water or hand sanitizer can cause dryness and irritation.”
If your hands are raw and chapped, there are ways to get some relief.
Mowad said to be sure to rinse and dry your hands completely after you wash them.
“Residual soap on your hands, or water, can cause irritation,” she said.
You can use a thick moisturizing cream often each day to help soothe them. Avoid lotions and products that contain scents, which also can irritate the skin.
“Creams are better than lotions,” Mowad said. “They provide more emollient back to the skin. You have to squeeze it or scoop it of a jar. If you pump it, that’s typically a lotion.”
Cetaphil, Eucerin, Neutrogena and Cerave are some examples of brands of cream for dry skin. Mowad said there also are generic brands that work just as well.
Another simple solution is to use petroleum jelly such as Vaseline on your hands, especially at night.
“Put Vaseline on your hands and cover them with cotton gloves or socks,” Mowad said. “That allows for more hydration.
“Vaseline is great, multiple times a day.”
She said some people have even used Crisco at night on dry hands.
If your skin is particularly inflamed, it may be atopic dermatitis that requires a doctor’s attention, but not necessarily an in-office appointment right now.
“The goal is to stay out of the office,” Mowad said. “Doctors are trying to manage skin conditions with a call or by telederm (a virtual visit), by sending them a photo. We want to have social distancing.”