hand drying is also vital 3. USE NON-FRAGRANCED MOISTURISER REGU- LARLY Moisturisers come in different formulations. While lotions are light in consistency and convenient to use during the day, they will require more frequent applications. Creams and ointments have thicker and oilier texture, are effective for dry hands and are best used overnight. Fragrances can cause allergic contact dermatitis and are best avoided, where possible. 4. USE ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITISER (IF YOU CAN GET HOLD OF IT) Alcohol-based hand sanitiser will reduce your skin’s contact with water, and so lower your risk of dermatitis. Research in health-care workers shows hand sanitisers cause less contact dermatitis than washing with soap and water. Sometimes people wrongly believe that when hand sanitiser stings on a paper cut, this means that they are allergic. But this is an irritant reaction and though uncomfortable, it’s safe to keep using it. Which sanitiser? This usually comes down to personal preference (and what you can get hold of). 5. USE GLOVES Use protective gloves when doing household chores, such as washing the dishes or when gardening. Use cotton gloves when doing dry work, such as sweeping or dusting, to protect your hands and minimise the need to wash them. Use washing up gloves where possible. At night, moisturise your hands than wear cotton gloves. This acts like an intensive hand mask and works wonders for very dry skin. It ensures the moisturiser stays on your hands and increases its penetration into your skin.
People with eczema, asthma and hay fever are also at higher risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis or experiencing a flare of underlying eczema. Read more: Common skin rashes and what to do about them How do I prevent hand dermatitis? 1. SOAP, SOAP ALTERNATIVE OR HAND SANITIS- ER? People with eczema or who have had contact dermatitis before will have more easily irritated skin. While they can still use hand sanitisers, it’s recommended they wash with gentler soap-free washes rather than normal soap. Soap-free washes contain non-soap- based synthetic detergents (syndets). Syndets have a nearly identical cleansing action as soap, but with the benefit of having the same pH as the skin. This means they’re less likely to remove the oils from the outer layer of the skin and are less irritating. Soaps have a high pH and are quite alkaline. This disrupts the outer layer of the skin, allowing the soap to penetrate deeper into the skin, thus causing more skin irritation and itching. Other people who don’t have eczema or a history of contact dermatitis should just use soap. Liquid soaps usually contain fragrances and preservatives, which can cause another type of dermatitis (allergic contact dermatitis), so opt for a plain, unperfumed bar soap. 2. DRY YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY Dry your hands thoroughly, including the webs of your fingers and under yourrings to reduce dermatitis caused by trapped water. Skin irritation and breakdown can occur when there is excessive moisture, soap residues and water trapped between the skin and underneath rings. Read more: Coronavirus and handwashing: research shows proper
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