Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infection. But for people with skin conditions, frequent washing can trigger skin damage and exacerbate symptoms. Even those of us with healthy skin may find that alcohol-based hand sanitizers and harsh soaps can cause irritation by drying out our hands.

"Repeated contact with water and the use of soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other cleansers can lead to what is known as irritant contact dermatitis - a type of eczema," says Dr Nick Lewell from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). "Irritant contact dermatitis can cause itchy, sore, and red skin with small blisters or painful cracks. If you've had dry skin due to a skin condition, medication (such as isotretinoin), or you're washing your hands, it's more Under normal circumstances, you may be particularly vulnerable to this."

Of course, we all need to follow our doctor's advice and wash our hands regularly. However, dermatologists say moisturizing is also important; if the skin's outer barrier layer is cracked or irritated, this can increase our susceptibility to irritants and infections.

How to choose a moisturizer?

A typical moisturizer is a mixture of two liquids—plant, fruit, or mineral oil—mixed with water to make a lotion, cream, or ointment. Using a moisturizer won't prevent you from washing with soap or hand sanitizer.

"Moisturizers are an important part of treating hand dermatitis," says Levell. "They help repair damaged outer skin and lock in moisture inside, making it soft and supple again. They should be used after hand washing, repeatedly throughout the day, and whenever skin feels dry." Apply a thick layer of moisturizer directly to your hands before bed, then wear clean cotton gloves so that the medicine is in full contact with your hands to increase its effect.

So which moisturizer is the best for your hands?

If your skin is dry and irritated, use fragranced hand creams with caution; choose hypoallergenic products that are highly moisturizing. Emulsifying ointment, Cetraben, Doublebase, E45 cream, or Aveeno products may help, or consult your pharmacist.

How should I make the correct use of moisturizer?

If the product is in the tub, it is best to remove it with a spoon (not your fingers) to avoid introducing infection into the tub. For patients with skin conditions who use steroid creams, BAD recommends topical steroids "20 minutes before or 20 minutes after application of emollients." Never use topical steroids to moisturize dry skin—they should only be used on active areas of dermatitis.

Are there side effects when using moisturizer?

Greasy moisturizers can warm the skin and can sometimes make itching worse if you have a skin condition. However, the BAD states that using paraffin wax is rarely associated with skin allergies, and is: "If you are concerned that moisturizers may aggravate dermatitis, paraffin wax will be the best choice." Keep away from lights and flames to avoid dangerous things.

Besides moisturizer, what products do you need to make your moisturizer work best?

Moisturizer is often applied when the hands are dry. Often, you can’t do some daily activities after applying the moisturizer, so you should prepare a pair of cotton gloves to protect your hands, so that you can easily apply the hand cream after applying the moisturizer. Then put on the gloves directly so that you can carry out normal activities. It is best to choose a style that is soft, breathable and not easy to fall off. The gloves must be close to the hand, so as to promote the absorption of the lotion. Secondly, the material of the gloves must be 100% pure cotton gloves to avoid hand allergies due to other unnecessary material components.