Dry Cracked Hands During COVID-19?

Frequent washing of hands with soap can cause problems for patients with eczema, including dry skin and hand irritation. People must find ways to manage dry skin and hand eczema that may be caused or worsened by frequent washing with soap or hand sanitizer.

Studies have shown benzalkonium chloride-based hand sanitizers are much less irritating than washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. These sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses such as COVID-19. They do not burn or sting like other hand sanitizers and have powerful moisturizing ingredients.

Dr. Baldwin recommends:

X3 Clean Germ Attack Foaming Hand Sanitizer

Soapopular Alcohol Free Foam Hand Sanitizer

Follow these tips to reduce hand irritation

• Wash your hands in the coldest water possible and rinse your hands well before putting on gloves to prevent the soap from getting caught under the gloves

• Use a paraffin wax bath

• Avoid exposure to irritants as much as possible (e.g. detergents, solvents, hair lotions or dyes, acidic foods like citrus fruit)

• Wear task-specific gloves for tasks involving friction (e.g., gardening, carpentry)

• Wear protective gloves in cold weather

• Wear cotton gloves under vinyl or other non latex gloves when performing wet work

• Remove rings, watches and bracelets before wet work

• After washing hands with soap and lukewarm water, re-wash using emollients (moisturizers) to help protect the skin.

• Use emollients to moisturize the hands after washing and sanitizing and other times when the skin feels dry and sore.

• Dry hands well after washing by gently patting them dry, not rubbing.

• When drying your hands, take special care between the fingers where the skin is more prone to dryness, cracking, and build-up of soap residue.

• Rehydrate sore, dry hands overnight using an ointment and clean cotton gloves

• Wear nitrile gloves if you need to handle detergents or other cleaning products that irritate the skin. These provide a physical barrier for the skin and can be purchased from pharmacies or online shops. An example of some available on Amazon are linked here

A good resource for eczema-friendly products is the "National Eczema Association" which has a section for bath and body products that are less likely to irritate dry, sensitive skin.