s coronavirus continues to spread around the world, prime minister Boris Johnson and the NHS are urging people to frequently wash their hands.
Like the majority of cold and flu bugs, health experts state that the virus is spread through droplets transmitted into the air from coughing and sneezing, which people nearby can take in through their nose, mouth or eyes.
However, if the droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others, it can spread further.
As a result, health experts say that regular hand-washing is the most effective means of prevention (along with staying at home) with both Public Health England and health secretary Matt Hancock recommending that people wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds at a time to curb the spread of germs.
While vigorous hand-washing and using harsh sanitisers are both vital in reducing the spread of the virus, they can have an adverse effect on the skin, leaving hands feeling dry, cracked and sore.
According to Dr Susan Mayou, a consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic, this is because over time, excessive washing depletes the skin’s natural protective barrier.
“Repetitive hand-washing can damage the integrity of the skin as a barrier, stripping away natural oils and causing hands to become dry, sore and irritated,” Dr Mayou says.
“If you have damaged the skin it becomes less effective as a barrier against infection so moisturising is essential – but definitely don’t stop the hand-washing!”
Dr Adam Friedmann, a consultant dermatologist and clinical lead at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, agrees, adding that many people who are adhering to the NHS’s advice will experience “irritant contact eczema – an eczema caused by a chemical, such as soap, irritating the skin”.
So what simple things can we do to reduce irritation? Here is a dermatologists’ guide to looking after your hands during the coronavirus crisis.
Both Dr Mayou and Dr Friedmann recommend using a moisturising cleanser to wash your hands instead of traditional soap as it can help to soften and hydrate the skin, especially when you’re suffering from conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. While soothing, the product is an antimicrobial emollient meaning it kills microorganisms and stops their growth.
