Coronavirus - Advice on protecting sensitive hands
With the continued advice around frequent hand washing and the use of sanitisers to reduce the spread of coronavirus, we have received a number of enquiries about the effect this can have on dry and sensitive skin, including children and adults with eczema or dermatitis on their hands.
Frequent hand washing is important, but it can leave hands feeling sore, red, dry and cracked. We would never recommend reducing necessary hand washing, but there are a few simple ways to help care for sensitive hands and reduce dryness and irritation.
1. Use a Gentle Seaweed Hand Soak
If you are at home regularly, you can prepare a small basin of lukewarm water with a little Aalgo seaweed powder.
After washing your hands, briefly soaking them in the seaweed water can help condition dry skin and leave your hands feeling softer and more comfortable.
For more advice on caring for particularly dry or sensitive skin, visit our very dry and sensitive skin guide.
2. Try an Evening Hand Soak
At night, before bed, soak your hands in a basin of lukewarm Aalgo water for around 15 minutes, then gently pat the skin dry.
This can be a simple way to give frequently washed hands some extra care at the end of the day.
3. Keep Children’s Bathing Routines Gentle
Children with dry, eczema-prone skin may also find frequent washing uncomfortable.
A lukewarm Aalgo bath can form part of a gentle routine for dry or sensitive skin. Avoid very hot water and gently pat the skin dry afterwards rather than rubbing.
You can read more about caring for eczema- and dermatitis-prone skin.
4. Avoid Very Hot Water
Hot water can strip natural oils from the skin and may make already dry, eczema-prone or dermatitis-prone hands feel even more uncomfortable.
Use lukewarm water wherever possible when washing your hands.
5. Dry Your Hands Thoroughly
After washing your hands, dry them carefully rather than leaving them damp.
Gently pat the skin dry, paying particular attention to the areas between the fingers. Avoid aggressive rubbing if the skin is already sore or cracked.
6. Be Mindful of Hand Sanitiser
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers can feel drying or irritating on sensitive or eczema-prone skin, particularly when used frequently.
Where hand sanitiser is necessary, continue to use it as directed. Afterwards, give dry hands some extra care as part of your normal skincare routine.
If your skin becomes severely cracked, painful or inflamed, speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist for advice.
7. Protect Hands from Cold Weather
Cold temperatures can make dry, cracked hands feel worse.
Wearing gloves outdoors can help protect your hands from cold air and wind and reduce some of the additional stress placed on sensitive skin.
Caring for Sensitive Hands
We hope these simple tips help anyone finding frequent hand washing particularly difficult on their hands or their children’s hands.
Aalgo is made from organic Atlantic seaweed with nothing added and nothing taken away, making it a simple option to incorporate into a gentle bathing or hand-care routine.
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Published March 2020
DISCLAIMER
The information on this website is not a substitute for medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if you are concerned about persistent or severe skin symptoms. Before applying a new product to your skin, consider carrying out a patch test first.
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