What effect does excessive handwashing have on your skin?

Spending more time at home has influenced how we care for ourselves. Handwashing has also been more important in recent year, as it is considered the main defense mechanism against COVID-19. It is common knowledge that the epidemic has drastically altered our lives. It has also resulted in a dramatic shift in our hand hygiene practices. As soon as the epidemic started, regular handwashing was promoted as an efficient approach to prevent the virus. As a result, we were all more careful of our surroundings and washed our hands regularly.

When we wash our hands, we frequently neglect the effects of the action on our skin. Many people complain of dryness, itching, and other skin problems as a result of frequent bathing. Handwashing throughout the day causes the skin to lose moisture, causing it to become dry and harsh. Handwashing and the usage of alcohol-based sanitizers can frequently wreak havoc on our skin. Although there is no set quantity that is sufficient for handwashing, it is crucial to note that regular handwashing might have the following impacts on our skin, according to Dr. Jaishree Sharad, a prominent Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist. The expert discusses the consequences of excessive handwashing.

Rashes can form when the skin becomes dry, itchy, and flaky.
It can also create wounds on the skin. It harms the skin’s lipids.
Washing hands with soap water on a regular basis might aggravate Eczema-related skin disorders such as Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and others. Soaps contain harsh chemicals that cause the skin to lose its natural hydration.
Soap containing sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium Laureth sulfate, fragrance, and Triclosan are substances that can seriously injure the skin, causing dryness, peeling, and, in severe cases, eczema.

Here are some simple strategies for dealing with problems caused by excessive handwashing:
Moisturize your hands after washing them to keep the skin supple, and use a lightweight moisturizing lotion that softly not only moisturizes but also refreshes the skin. Before going to bed, wash your hands and immediately apply a deep-moisturizing lotion to allow your skin to be moisturized, nourished, and repaired while you sleep.
It is necessary to use a light hand wash or a soap-free and fragrance-free hand wash.
To avoid bacteria and skin irritation, pat dry your moist hands promptly after washing.
The skin should also be gently dried with a personal towel or individual paper towels, without rubbing excessively.

Use ceramide-based moisturizers, hydroponic acid, vitamin E, cocoa butter, shea butter-based thick moisturizers, Mupirocin cream on cuts, and visit your dermatologist for medicine if it develops into eczema.

Global Handwashing Day was observed on October 15th to raise awareness about the need of handwashing with soap as an efficient method of illness prevention even before the epidemic occurred. This year’s theme was ‘Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together,’ which means that as we enter the new normal, our future is in our own hands. It is common knowledge that the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that hands are the primary means of transmitting germs, and hence handwashing is one of the most important techniques to prevent the spread of illnesses. The importance of handwashing was prevalent throughout but has gained traction as a result of the pandemic. Hands must be washed and moisturized in order to retain skin nourishment and maintain proper hand hygiene.

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker