Skincare Northern Virginia

Proper hand washing has been proven as an incredibly effective strategy to fight against the spread of COVID-19, however, this excessive hand washing is leading to cracked, dry skin for many.

If you are following the instructions recommended by the CDC, you may have noticed a correlation between COVID-19, washing your hands often, and eczema.

Below, we investigate the benefits of moisturizing to combat eczema symptoms for dry hands.

Moisturize

When you apply a moisturizer to your hands immediately after washing, you can offset some of the drying that hand washing can bring.

A great strategy is to always have a small bottle of hand cream or lotion with you for your convenience. 

How to Moisturize Effectively

The best way to return moisture back to your skin through a moisturizing cream or lotion is to follow this procedure:

1. Wash your hands per CDC guidelines.
2. Pat your skin dry with a disposable towel or tissue (do not rub).
3. When your skin is still slightly damp, apply moisturizer to the skin coating your entire hands and fingers.

What to Do if Your Skin Cracks

For patients who are more prone to developing eczema or atopic dermatitis on the skin, moisturizing is key.

However, if you notice that your skin is still showing signs of a flare up, or if your skin begins to break or bleed, you may require medical strength intervention.

Your dermatologist should be able to prescribe a topical therapy treatment for you.

More on COVID-19 and Managing Your Eczema

If you have noticed that your hands have become uncomfortably dry due to excessive washing during COVID-19, speak to your dermatologist about ways to manage the dryness.

At Integrated Dermatology of Reston, our team of dermatology professionals are always available to treat your skin concerns, including eczema.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with our specialists, visit our website or call us today at (703) 437-7744.