As you are getting used to this new normal of staying home, wearing masks and gloves when shopping, and washing your hands over and over throughout the day, it’s just as important as ever to take care of your skin. All this washing is imperative in the fight against spreading COVID-19, but it’s also probably drying out your skin. Frequent handwashing can often cause flaking, itching, cracking, and even bleeding without proper precautions.
Dr. Avnee Shah, M.D., one of The Derm Group’s board-certified dermatologists in New Jersey, shares a helpful tip to keep your hands clean and healthy during this epidemic and beyond. “No matter how you’re cleaning your hands, don’t skip moisturizing after,” she says. “With increased cleansing, we often see skin dry out leading to hand eczema.”
Eczema is a common skin disease—it affects one in every five people at some point in their lives—that can cause a lot of discomfort, particularly during flare-ups. The good news is, you can take steps and make lifestyle choices to reduce symptoms. “To help diminish this,” says Shah, “moisturize with creams or ointments directly after cleansing to lock in moisture”
Follow these three easy steps to reduce your risk of dry skin:
1. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
2. Moisturize immediately following
3. When soap and water are not available use hand sanitizer, followed by moisturizer
During this trying time, please stay home, stay well, and of course, stay moisturized.
If you have concerns about overly dry skin, and would like to talk to a board-certified dermatologist, request a virtual consultation with The Derm Group online or call us at 973.571.2121.