Dry hands are a problem for many, especially in the winter, when the air is drier. If hands become too dry, they can crack, leading to constant pain. The problem is usually exacerbated because you can’t stop using your hands while allowing them to heal. You need to take care of your dry hands, first to heal the dryness and then to help prevent future dryness. A daily routine can help you solve your dry-hand problem.
Step 1
Use gloves when washing the dishes. Warm water washes away your hands’ natural oils, so exposing them to a lot of water–as you would when doing dishes–will dry them even more. Keep them dry while doing dishes by wearing a big pair of rubber gloves. Better yet, get the kids to do the dishes.
Step 2
Take showers instead of baths. In a bath, you’re soaking your hands in the warm water, which makes your skin dry. A shower exposes your skin to less water. Additionally, limit your time in the shower to less than 10 minutes.
Step 3
Moisturize your hands overnight. You can give your hands a deep moisturizing treatment while you sleep. Just before you go to bed, spread petroleum jelly over your hands liberally; then, wear cotton gloves. You can purchase light gloves that are made for this purpose. In the morning, your hands will be much better.
Step 4
Apply lotion to your hands frequently. Throughout the day, you should constantly reapply lotion. Purchase lotion that is formulated to treat dry hands.
Step 5
Visit your doctor for prescription treatment. Most people are able to treat their dry hands at home, but if your problem is severe, you may have a medical condition, such as atopic dermatitis or ichthyosis. In these cases, medicated creams are more likely to relieve your pain.
Photo Credit
- hand and cracked earth image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
