Tips for dry skin after disinfection, washing; How to recognize Covid Freeze

EAST NORRITON, Pa. (WLVT) - Do you wash your hands so much that they hurt?

If so, you are not alone.

"There are people who have dry hands just because of the cold at this time of year, " said Dr. Angie Nicholas, medical director of the Einstein Medical Center in Montgomery , told PBS39 . She says frequent hand washing can help limit the transmission of Covid-19 and other germs.

However, if frequent hand washing leads to dry skin, avoid using hot water.

"These very hot showers remove moisture from the skin," said Nicholas.

Hand sanitisers, which should contain at least 60% ethanol or ethyl alcohol, also contribute to dry, cracked, and itchy hands.

"Sometimes you're not near a sink and need to use hand sanitizer," said Nicholas. "It's a convenience factor. We have to do everything we can to keep our hands clean."

He explained how to tell if a skin blister is actually frostbite, the injuries associated with some Covid-19 cases. They usually appear on the fingers or toes, which has earned them the nickname "Covid Toes".

"Frostbite is basically a discoloration of the extremities and can cause blisters, pain and swelling," he explained. "I know patients who say it is painful, others say it is not painful. For some people, this is the only tell-tale sign that they have COVID. It sounds pretty weird, it's not subtle at all.

If you notice a discolored blister on your fingers or toes, Nicolas recommends that you tell your doctor immediately.

Dr. Nazanin Saedi is Professor of Dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She says people with dry skin should keep washing their hands and moisturizing them daily.

"The problem is, when your hands are dry or cracked, there are small entry points for infection. You should keep washing your hands, but also use moisturizer regularly to strengthen the skin barrier." Saedi told PBS39.

To find the right moisturizer, Saedi checks the ingredients on the label.

"There are certain ingredients in hand products that you might want to look for to help retain moisture. I recommend products that contain petroleum jelly and products that contain ceramide to help rebuild the skin's barrier," Saedi said. . "Glycerin is another agent that helps retain moisture. As for the product, I love Neutrogena's Norwegian hand cream for its thickness."

Saedi and Nicholas agree that fragrant moisturizers should be avoided.

"Avoid scented lotions," added Nicholas. "Although they smell nice, they're not really good moisturizers. Choose thick lotions like Bag Balm, Vaseline, or Eucerin. Hydrocortisone cream, available without a prescription, helps reduce irritation." and inflammation of the skin. Sleep with gloved lotion in hand. You can also apply the lotion and wrap your hands in a saran wrap for half an hour to lock in moisture. "

Frequent hand washing remains one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading Covid-19, according to the CDC.

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