According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association frequent handwashing and hand sanitizer use will dry skin. Nurses and other health care professionals knew this already from their own experience of constant washing due to the nature of their job. Now the average person has experienced it too.
Dermatologists recommend that you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds in lukewarm water. Use soap, and wash every part of your hands, including between your fingers and around your nails. They recommend that you dry your hands with a clean towel but leave some water on them. You can also let your hands air dry. While your hands are slightly damp, apply hand cream or ointment to help seal in moisture and make sure you don’t neglect fingertips and nails. For especially dry skin, fragrance free and dye free options are best.
The reason you should treat dry skin and keep it under control is because dry, cracked skin makes it easier for bacteria and other germs to get inside your body. Using a less astringent soap that doesn’t contain sulfates or detergents can also help you avoid seriously dry skin. It’s why our Nurse Bodyworks soap is so good for nurse hands. Our soap is moisturizing, many bars contain shea butter, some even have aloe which can help ease dry skin issues.
If you are using hand sanitizer in combination with frequent handwashing things can get even worse. When you use hand sanitizer, apply your hand cream or ointment immediately after the hand sanitizer dries. Because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to kill germs, hand sanitizer can be very drying.
Keeping your skin properly hydrated with quality soap and moisturizers helps to prevent the spread of illness but is also soothing too. If you’ve ever experienced dry, chapped and cracked skin on your hands you know how uncomfortable it can be, so try to head it off with products like our soaps whenever possible.