Guide · 3 min read
Why do your hands get dry when you wash them often?
Hands washed dozens of times a day feel tight and crack. Ways to reduce dryness while you keep washing your hands.
after every wash
Why do they get dry?
The skin on your hands is a barrier too. Soap removes dirt, but it also takes away some of this barrier's oils. A few times a day is no problem; but on hands washed more than ten times a day, in the kitchen, while caring for a baby or at work, dryness and irritation clearly increase.
While washing
- 1Use lukewarm water; hot water increases dryness.
- 2Lather the soap for at least 20 seconds, between your fingers and around your nails.
- 3Don't rub with the towel; pat dry.
After washing
Dermatologists recommend applying a pea-sized amount of cream after every hand wash, while your hands are still slightly damp. Creams that come in a tube are usually richer than pump lotions and better suited to dry hands.
When to see a doctor?
If cracks bleed, the itching doesn't go away or blisters appear, see a dermatologist.
Related to this guide
Sources
- 1.AAD, dermatologists' tips for dry skin
- 2.Frequent hand washing and irritant dermatitis
- 3.Prevalence of hand dermatitis, British Journal of Dermatology
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If a complaint persists or gets worse, see a dermatologist.