When it gets colder, many people suffer from dry hands. A feeling of tension, cracked and dry fingers, and possibly tears and cracks in the top of your hand. An annoying sensation, but it can be remedied. We give you 8 tips.
Dry hands rise
First of all: how does dry skin develop? This has several causes. 1 of these is the temperature difference between inside and outside. As a result, the skin dries faster and rough spots can occur. Another is a lack of moisture in the skin. Normally there is a protective layer of sebum and fat, which ensures the right water balance. If that layer is affected, too much moisture evaporates from your hands and dries them. The older you get, the thinner the top layer of the skin becomes. As a result, you can suffer from dry hands more quickly in old age.
Washing your hands too often also causes rough hands. At the start of the crown period in 2020, everyone started washing their hands en masse. with a lot chapped and sore hands result. Washing dishes or cleaning with different agents and drinking little water can also be causes.
Apply with hand cream
But what can be done with dry hands? Lubricate your hands with a good cream. The drier the skin, the greasier the ointment should be. The oily layer does not absorb, but provides protection. This prevents more moisture from escaping from the skin. Think products with petroleum jelly or urea, breast ointments or herbal ingredients like shea butter or argan oil, for example. It is recommended to apply it before bedtime, as it can soak all night. Also, you don’t wash it off that quickly. You can also wear cotton gloves at night to make sure the ointment really absorbs and doesn’t get into the bedding.
Don’t apply too much hand cream, just the size of a hazelnut. Apply this on the back of the hand and rub the cream into the skin with the back of the other hand. The inside of our hands has no sebaceous glands and therefore we take little care. It just makes him feel greasy. Eventually you can spread the last few bits all over your hand, so the inside gets some care. Also, don’t apply every hour, it’s too much. It is recommended about 3 times a day and in the evening before going to sleep.
More tips for dry hands
Also, drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Also, don’t wash your hands too often. If you dry them, do it with a cloth (paper) and as little as possible under a towel. The heat and airflow can also dry out your hands. When washing dishes or cleaning anything else around the house, wear rubber gloves.
Humidity in the house
The humidity in the house can also be too low. If so, you probably feel it in other areas of your skin as well. You can then put a humidifier in the house. We have previously given advice on how to do this skin in autumn can take care of. And also against what you can do corners of the mouth torn.
Put on gloves
When it’s colder outside, it can also be helpful to wear gloves when going out. This way you can protect your hands from the cold. Using a mild soap is also a tip. Antibacterial soap is good for killing bacteria, but it also makes the skin very dry. A baby cleansing gel can therefore be more enjoyable.
When to go to the doctor?
If nothing works or if you suspect that dry hands are caused by a skin condition or stress, it is recommended that you contact your doctor. There may be an underlying skin disorder, such as eczema.
(Source: Libelle, Huidzorg Houten, Flair.be, Viva Donna, Nivea, Etos. Photo: Shutterstock)
