Frequent and proper hand-washing is essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But all this hand-washing (and use of sanitizers) is leading to dry, cracked skin which can increase the risk of infections. Can anything be done about this?

A. Yes! The following are steps you can take to prevent dryness:

-Use a hand soap that’s mild and fragrance-free
-Wash with warm, not hot water
-After washing hands, pat them dry (don’t rub)
-Use an oil-based hand cream (not a lotion!) immediately afterwards to seal in the moisture
-at night, apply a thick hand cream or Vaseline and cover hands with gloves to lock in the moisture

Links:

UCLA Health