HOW TO COMBAT DRY HANDS DURING COVID-19

Now more than ever our hand hygiene is one of the most important tools we have in the combat against COVID-19. As per the CDC hand hygiene guidelines, we are encouraged to clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves or contact with ill person. We are instructed to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used.

But what do we do to help protect or heal our hands after due diligence in hand washing? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! We all have a saying in Dermatology “Dry skin can be itchy skin.” Thankfully, there are some wonderful over the counter hand moisturizers that are very effective. Some favorite hand moisturizers are those without fragrances such as CeraVe Renewing SA cream, Cetaphil Intensive moisturizing cream, Neutrogena Norwegian hand cream and many others. The important key in your moisturizer is make sure its fragrance free and use often!