Dry Hands (Hand Dermatitis)
Why do I have dry hands?
Our hands are often exposed to the weather and to many chemicals each day. Because winters are often less humid, hands get dry out even more in the winter. The increased handwashing and hand sanitizing since COVID are not helping. Sometimes the hands get so dry that the skin cracks and splits (fissures) on the knuckles and sides of the fingers. These fissures are very painful when lotions, foods (especially citrus fruits), or chemicals get into them.
How do I avoid dry hands with handwashing?
Steps for handwashing to help with dry hands:
When washing your hands, use soap and lukewarm (not hot) water.
Pat your hands dry.
Apply a moisturizing cream. My strong preference is either CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or Vanicream Moisturizing Cream because these do not leave a greasy or sticky feel.
NOTE: Lotions have more alcohol in them, which can dry your hands even more. Use a cream instead.
Steps for hand sanitizing to help with dry hands:
Use hand sanitizer with a moisturizer in it and at least 60% alcohol. Avoid ones with a strong fragrance.
Apply a moisturizing cream right after hand sanitizing since alcohol dries out your skin. My strong preference is either CeraVe moisturizing cream or Vanicream moisturizing cream because these do not leave a greasy or sticky feel.
NOTE: Lotions have more alcohol in them, which can dry your hands even more. Use a cream instead.
Additional Tips to AVOID Dry Hands:
Avoid lotions. Lotions have more alcohol than creams, and alcohol dries out your skin.
Choose fragrance-free moisturizing creams. They are less irritating to your skin.
What is the difference between lotions, creams, and ointments?
The biggest difference between these moisturizers is the amount of alcohol in each one.
LOTIONS have the most alcohol, so they are thinner, less greasy, and go on easily. But lotions are also less likely to fix dry hands.
CREAMS are a happy medium - not too thick and not too thin. Creams are the best for regular use to avoid or fix dry hands. Creams have some alcohol in them but less than lotions. My favorite creams are Vanicream moisturizing cream and CeraVe moisturizing cream.
OINTMENTS are the thickest. They are often just petrolatum (Vaseline) or a combination of petrolatum and mineral oil (Aquaphor). These have little to no alcohol in them and are the best moisturizers and the best for fixing dry hands. They are also the most greasy.
How do I fix dry hands?
When you have dry or cracked hands, you need to frequently moisturize to get them better.
Use a moisturizing cream after each time you wash or sanitize your hands.
Often vinegar soaks in the evening will help.
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone (hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment) can soothe dry and cracked skin.
At bedtime, apply hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment and then either moisturizing cream or Vaseline to the dry hands; then wear cotton gloves or plastic gloves to protect your hands while sleeping.
For deep cracks (fissures) in the hands or fingers, some people use super glue. After pushing the fissure closed (this often requires an extra pair of hands), a strip of super glue goes along the length of the fissure - this helps the skin stay closed and prevents chemicals from getting in and hurting.
What if my dry hands aren’t getting better?
Usually, the steps above can help most people get their dry hands better. Sometimes people have sensitive skin or are allergic to one or more chemicals that touch their hands. Some people have hand eczema, which is more common in those who had eczema in childhood. If over-the-counter options are not working, there are stronger prescription topical steroids or patch testing that can be used to look for common skin allergies. Look for a board-certified dermatologist in your area. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
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