The Skin Fund recently warned that the skin gets dry and damaged by many hand washing, which leads to less protection against harmful invaders. Does that also apply to viruses and what can you do against those dry hands?
The demand for hand cream has risen rapidly in recent weeks, both in the Netherlands and in the rest of Europe. Logical: many people have chapped hands after all that washing.
A warning from the Skin Fund to take good care of the hands contributed to that run on hand cream. “Many washes dry hands and damage the skin, which leads to less protection against bacteria and fungi,” says the Skin Fund.
“Hand cream, foot cream, buttocks cream, it really doesn’t matter. That is pure commerce. ”
Menno Gaastra, dermatologist
–
–
–
That does not mean that dry hands can cause infection with the coronavirus, according to virologist Marion Koopmans. “The coronavirus cannot enter through your skin, but it attaches to mucus and moisture, such as in the nose. The skin is not a route through which the virus can enter. The virus cannot enter through wounds on your hand.”
Watch out for your fat layer
Your hands will certainly dry out from the many hands washing, says dermatologist Menno Gaastra. “Water dries out the hands and soap even more. If you also use hand alcohol, the drying will go even faster. This is due to the washing away of the protective layer of fat that is on the skin.”
That layer of fat also provides protection, especially against bacteria and fungi. “Think of the cracks in a dry river bed. Bacteria can enter more easily through those cracks.” A few viruses, such as the herpes virus, can enter through that way, Koopmans says. “But not the coronavirus.”
“Those who do not lubricate enough can develop eczema-like symptoms within a week.”
Menno Gaastra, dermatologist
–
–
–
Because dry hands are not pleasant, it is still nice to lubricate. If you have a tendency for eczema or if you don’t rub your hands between washing and disinfecting, you can have eczema-like symptoms within a week, says Gaastra. “Your skin will then become dry, can become red and flake. This can lead to sore hands.”
How do you take care of dry hands?
If your skin looks like a painting with cracks in the paint, you can start smearing better, the dermatologist says. “You can use any cream or ointment you want, as long as it is oily. It doesn’t necessarily have to be hand cream. Hand cream, foot cream, buttocks cream, it really doesn’t matter. That is pure commerce.”
Vaseline works best because of its fatness, says Gaastra. “That does not absorb quickly, but covers the skin, so less water evaporates and your skin dries out less quickly. Vaseline can be inconvenient because your hands remain greasy for a while. Therefore mix it with some cream or glycerine, then do it better. “
Gaastra advises not to use (body) lotion. It often contains a lot of water, which only dries out your hands. If water is the first ingredient on the ingredients list, it doesn’t bode well, the dermatologist said. “Glycerin is also not greasy enough. Preferably do not opt for perfumed products. Skin that is not in good condition can react allergically to perfume.”
According to the dermatologist, there are plenty of alternatives to hand cream, so running to the store can be changed at a walking pace. “Lubricating and greasing is good. But it is important that people do not blindly focus on those tubes of hand cream.”
Follow the latest developments around the virus in our live blog.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in the sports world in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person via sneezing and cough drops. The chance of becoming infected through surfaces such as door handles is small. This chance decreases if you wash your hands often.
- You can considerably reduce the chance of spreading by keeping at least 1.5 meters away from others.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Almost all deaths involve the elderly or other vulnerable persons, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
–
–
–
– .
