Most of us take a lot of care about our skin and the hair and apply a number of lotions, creams and oils to keep them well maintained. But one part of the body that many ignore is the hands. Hands suffer a lot as it is with the hands that you do most of the work. Use of soaps and washing powders often make then dry. It is only after the hands get really dry and dull that you start looking for a remedy to treat them.
As most of you are aware, your skin has a thin layer of lipids that occur naturally. It is this layer that keeps your skin supple ad soft and also prevents the loss of natural moisture from the skin. When this protective layer is damaged, your skin starts getting dry and even scaly. The medical term for dryness is xerosis and this occurs when the lipid layer gets worn out and your skin becomes devoid of this protective layer.
Causes for Dry Skin on the Hands:
Dry skin on hands may be caused due to many reasons, although winter is regarded as the main reason. Here are some of the major reasons for dry skin on hands.
- Too much of humidity retards the production of natural oils on the hands and this may lead to dryness of the hands.
- During winter times the skin on your hands gets dehydrated and this makes it dry and scaly.
- Exposure of the skin to chemicals that can dry skin.
- Another reason for dry hands is washing your hands too often or submerging your hands in water very often or for a long time.
- The environmental condition can play a major role in making your hands dry.
- You get dry hands due to genetic reasons also.
It is not possible to stop doing any work in order to keep your hands soft and well moisturized. The only solution to protect your hands from getting dry is to follow a proper skin care routine. By taking good care of the skin and using the right skin care products you can keep your hands soft and beautiful.
Home Remedies for Treating Dry Hands:
Avoid fabric softeners:
When you use detergents to wash clothes, try to use products that are not scented. This is because the chemicals in these detergents can make your skin more dry and itchy.
Avoid artificial products as far as possible:
Try to avoid using scented soaps and deodorants, as these only help in stripping off of the protective lipid layer on your skin, which is responsible for keeping your skin soft. Anti-bacterial foams are also not good for your skin. All these contain chemicals that make your hands dry and cause itching on the skin. Instead of these products, you can use soap-less cleansers, which you get in most of the stores. These are mild and do not dry your skin and at the same time cleanse your skin well. So, if you are suffering from very dry hands, you can use cleansers like aquanil, oilatum and cetaphil.
Do not use scrub brushes:
Your skin gets all the more dry if you use hand scrub brushes and wash clothes. So, if you cannot avoid tem, then use softer brushes. Avoid rubbing your skin hard after shower. Just pat dry your skin.
Go for medical checkups regularly:
Dry skin may also be due to dome other health problems like diabetes, hypothyroidism, eczema and psoriasis. If your body lacks essential nutrients, then also you may suffer from dry skin. So go for regular medical checkups and make sure that you are not suffering from any illness.
Moisturize your hands generously:
The easiest way to avoid dry hands is to moisturize them. Remember to apply a moisturizer every time after you wash your hands. Oil based moisturizers are the best for preventing dry hands. Ointments help in nourishing your hands as they are oily and good for the skin. Use products that have the following ingredients in them:
- Petroleum jelly, lanolin and mineral oil – These help in retaining the moisture in your skin and thus keep the skin well hydrated.
- Urea and lactic acid – These are ideal for treating very dry skin.
- Hyaluronic acid – it helps the skin to retain moisture.
- Glycerin and dimethiocone – These help the skin to imbibe water and this keep the skin hydrated.
Protect your hands:
All through the day we use our hands to perform various activities. The only time that your hands get a rest is when you go to sleep. So, applying moisturizers on the hands is not effective unless you apply it before you go to bed. If you cannot do it, then apply moisturizer on your hands a wear gloves for half an hour. This will make sure that the skin on your hands gets well moisturized.
Wash wisely:
As you know, cleanliness is important and you need to keep your hands clean. But do not wash your hands too often. Wash your hands with a mild cleanser, in lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as this removes essential oils from the skin.
Wear comfortable clothes:
When you choose your dress, try to avoid using too tight clothes. This will cause irritation on your skin and make it dry. Try not to use wool as it can irritate sensitive skin. You can use cashmere instead of using woolen clothes.
Dry hands can be treated by taking proper care of the skin. Remember to use natural products and have a healthy and balanced food. You must also drink lots of water. If the skin is too dry, you can go to a dermatologist and apply emollients to treat dryness.