Help For Dry Hands

Do your hands become discolored, dried and cracked? Chapped hands are very common, especially in women. In severe cases, they can develop into a form of dermatitis.

The culprit? Frequent hand washing is often at fault. The drying effect of indoor air, especially during cold months, also tends to draw moisture from your hands. In addition, working with strong chemicals can be very drying.

Fortunately, there are many simple ways to relieve or prevent dry hands …

Wear waterproof vinyl gloves anytime you wash or clean. You can also wear thin cotton gloves underneath the waterproof gloves for added protection.

Wear fabric gloves or mittens outside in cold or windy weather to prevent chapping.

Avoid overheating your house; warm air will dry out your skin.

Use a humidifier to keep air moist in your home.

Apply a hand lotion or cream 3 times a day, and after each handwashing.

If the above measures don't help, the condition of your hands may be particularly severe. Talk to your provider about using a cortisone cream — with caution, as frequent use may cause thinning of the skin.

 

Source:

Personal Best Publications, http://www.personalbest.com/yourhealth/library/help_for_dry_hands.html