All the handwashing and hand sanitising required at the moment in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 is leading to sore and cracked hands for many. So what can we do to reduce the risk of hand dermatitis?
Carmel Blake, an advanced nurse practitioner with the Irish Skin Foundation (ISF), knows why this kind of dermatitis occurs and has some sound advice. “Frequent exposure to soaps, detergents and water can reduce the natural oils in your skin and can weaken the skin barrier, leading to the skin becoming dry, irritated and cracked. Increased hand washing and use of alcohol gels may trigger hand dermatitis,” she says.
This means that your hands can itch, become sore and red, and even develop small blisters or painful cracks (fissures).
Taking care of your hands to reduce the risk of this happening is important. She advises that as well as washing hands with warm running water in the manner the HSE advises – a thorough 20-second wash and pat dry – we should also be doing the following:
1 After drying the hands thoroughly (especially under rings), apply an emollient (non-cosmetic moisturiser). Emollients are cheap and effective and provide a protective film on the hands. Your pharmacist can recommend a wide range. Apply emollients frequently to prevent the skin from drying and to keep your hands well moisturised.
2 Consider applying a barrier cream to provide extra protection to the hands. If you already have a skin disorder like acne, eczema or psoriasis and would like some guidance at this time, you can contact the ISF Helpline for free assistance and information. The line is open, as usual, from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm.
When it comes to hand care, the British Association of Dermatology – with whom the Irish Skin Foundation is associated – also has these extra tips:
1 Some find overnight moisturising treatments beneficial. Apply a generous layer of plain moisturiser just before you go to bed, then put on a pair of clean cotton gloves and leave overnight.
2 When hands come into contact with water or detergents, such as when washing up, shampooing a child’s hair or using cleaning products, wearing gloves that provide a barrier (such as blue nitrile gloves) will help to keep the skin’s barrier intact. Traditionally nitrile gloves are better for those with latex allergies. Nitrile gloves are robust, waterproof, greaseproof, chemical resistant and oil proof.
Severe hand dermatitis
If you have severe hand dermatitis or suspect an infection (for example, your skin is oozing) you should contact your GP, as you may require prescription treatments to reduce inflammation.
Examples of emollients available in pharmacies include CeraVe, E45, Epiderm, Aqueous cream, Doublebase, Elave, Eucerin and Aveeno. Ask your pharmacist for advice about these and other barrier creams.
Stop touching your face
We have all been told to stop touching our faces during this crisis as COVID-19 accesses the body through our eyes, noses and mouths, but it is not an easy thing to do. Studies have shown that human beings touch their faces between 16-23 times per hour, so this habit is a recipe for fast transmission. Here are some tips to stop doing it:
Be mindful of how often you touch your face – 16-23 times per hour.Wash your hands very frequently.Use scented soap or sanitiser. The smell will draw attention to the location of your hands.Keep a box of tissues handy. When you feel the urge to rub your nose, adjust your glasses or scratch an itch, use a tissue to do it instead.Wear a mask. They can provide a physical barrier against touching your nose and mouth, but must be used appropriately.Wear glasses or sunglasses. If you wear contact lenses, opt for glasses during this period so that you are not rubbing your eyes.If your eyes feel dry, use lubricant drops to ease the problem.Wear gloves, but remember they can pick up infection.Sit on your hands when you feel the tendency to itch, scratch or touch.Learn to touch your arm instead of your face when you feel the urge. Set up a frequent reminder on your phone that says: “Don’t touch your face” and put post-it note reminders up around the house. When idle, use fidget spinners or stress balls to keep hands occupied, but disinfect these items often. Digestive problems and stomach upsets can be prevented, relieved and even banished by simple lifestyle changes, experts say.
Anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion. In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely. Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
1 Avoid eating at times when you’re feeling very anxious, stressed or unhappy.
2 Try to keep mealtimes happy and relaxed to aid digestion.
3 Stop smoking to prevent reflux. Smoking can weaken the muscle that controls the lower end of the food pipe, which allows acid from the stomach to travel in the wrong direction. Reflux heartburn can bring on or aggravate stomach ulcers and inflammatory conditions of the bowel.
4 Eat properly to help your digestion.
5 Do not rush your food. Try putting your fork down between bites and chew each mouthful well.
6 Do not overeat. Reduce the size of your portions at mealtimes, or try eating four or five small meals instead of three large ones.
7 Eat regularly and try not to skip meals.
8 Avoid eating a big meal just before you go to bed. Eat your last meal at least two to three hours before lying down.
9 Make sure you have plenty of water to drink.
10 Lose excess weight to relieve issues like heartburn, as tummy fat can put pressure on your stomach, causing heartburn.
11 Binge drinking causes acid-related digestive disorders.
Information from the NHS.co.uk and HSE. For the most up-to-date information and advice in Ireland on COVID-19, please visit the HSE’s webpage.
Overeating during isolation
Full fridges, a weekly shop, working from home and being confined, in addition to coping with children and the overall COVID-19 stress can make us all want to eat more than usual, whether for comfort, out of boredom or because it is our natural reaction to stress.
Bodywhys the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders makes these points:
The structure of three balanced meals a day is important. Be conscious of how much you are eating.Don’t buy junk food during your weekly shop.It is not Christmas. If you have an eating disorder and find that the added anxiety is affecting your recovery, you can get extra online or phone support from organisations like bodywhys.ie For those with eating disorders, Bodywhys says it is important to put in place a regular routine for yourself as quickly as possible. Routine is the practical aspect of trying to recover from an eating disorder. A routine around eating = routine in digestive system = regular physical effects = more regular mood/clearer thoughts and feelings.
“And remember, it is not only the person with an eating disorder who needs to have a routine and regular eating – it is helpful for everyone.”
Bodywhys Supports helpline can be reached at 1890 200 444.
Stress-busting breathing exercise:
1 Put your hands on your stomach.
Breathe in and then out, counting how long it takes each way.
2 On the next breath, breathe in for five seconds and out for five seconds. Do this for 10 breaths, making a conscious decision to try and relax as much as possible.
3 For 10 more breaths, breathe in for
seven seconds and out for seven seconds. Your pulse rate should now be lower.
Practice regularly.
From the HSE
Cancer patients are urging the public to follow guidelines on staying at home to control the spread of coronavirus.
The three-minute video titled My Life Matters features cancer patients and survivors of all ages from around the country, asking for support to keep them safe.
The video features Limerick-based cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan (picture left), who is living with stage-four cancer and self-isolating due to the threat of the virus.
“I’ve been living with cancer for quite a few years at this stage and I know all about having to isolate myself when my immune system is down,” Vicky says.
“The coronavirus has forced me to self-isolate again, but I’m really asking for everybody to do their bit and protect people like me, because my life matters,” she said.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “We are urging people to follow the public health advice and help cancer patients avoid coronavirus by stopping the spread.
These people have been through so much already and getting this virus could pose a very serious risk to their lives.”
People are also encouraged to share the video on social media, using the #MyLifeMatters hashtag to raise awareness of groups that need protecting.
All the handwashing and hand sanitising required at the moment in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 is leading to sore and cracked hands for many. So what can we do to reduce the risk of hand dermatitis?
Carmel Blake, an advanced nurse practitioner with the Irish Skin Foundation (ISF), knows why this kind of dermatitis occurs and has some sound advice. “Frequent exposure to soaps, detergents and water can reduce the natural oils in your skin and can weaken the skin barrier, leading to the skin becoming dry, irritated and cracked. Increased hand washing and use of alcohol gels may trigger hand dermatitis,” she says.
This means that your hands can itch, become sore and red, and even develop small blisters or painful cracks (fissures).
Taking care of your hands to reduce the risk of this happening is important. She advises that as well as washing hands with warm running water in the manner the HSE advises – a thorough 20-second wash and pat dry – we should also be doing the following:
1 After drying the hands thoroughly (especially under rings), apply an emollient (non-cosmetic moisturiser). Emollients are cheap and effective and provide a protective film on the hands. Your pharmacist can recommend a wide range. Apply emollients frequently to prevent the skin from drying and to keep your hands well moisturised.
2 Consider applying a barrier cream to provide extra protection to the hands. If you already have a skin disorder like acne, eczema or psoriasis and would like some guidance at this time, you can contact the ISF Helpline for free assistance and information. The line is open, as usual, from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm.
When it comes to hand care, the British Association of Dermatology – with whom the Irish Skin Foundation is associated – also has these extra tips:
1 Some find overnight moisturising treatments beneficial. Apply a generous layer of plain moisturiser just before you go to bed, then put on a pair of clean cotton gloves and leave overnight.
2 When hands come into contact with water or detergents, such as when washing up, shampooing a child’s hair or using cleaning products, wearing gloves that provide a barrier (such as blue nitrile gloves) will help to keep the skin’s barrier intact. Traditionally nitrile gloves are better for those with latex allergies. Nitrile gloves are robust, waterproof, greaseproof, chemical resistant and oil proof.
Severe hand dermatitis
If you have severe hand dermatitis or suspect an infection (for example, your skin is oozing) you should contact your GP, as you may require prescription treatments to reduce inflammation.
Examples of emollients available in pharmacies include CeraVe, E45, Epiderm, Aqueous cream, Doublebase, Elave, Eucerin and Aveeno. Ask your pharmacist for advice about these and other barrier creams.
Stop touching your face
We have all been told to stop touching our faces during this crisis as COVID-19 accesses the body through our eyes, noses and mouths, but it is not an easy thing to do. Studies have shown that human beings touch their faces between 16-23 times per hour, so this habit is a recipe for fast transmission. Here are some tips to stop doing it:
Be mindful of how often you touch your face – 16-23 times per hour.Wash your hands very frequently.Use scented soap or sanitiser. The smell will draw attention to the location of your hands.Keep a box of tissues handy. When you feel the urge to rub your nose, adjust your glasses or scratch an itch, use a tissue to do it instead.Wear a mask. They can provide a physical barrier against touching your nose and mouth, but must be used appropriately.Wear glasses or sunglasses. If you wear contact lenses, opt for glasses during this period so that you are not rubbing your eyes.If your eyes feel dry, use lubricant drops to ease the problem.Wear gloves, but remember they can pick up infection.Sit on your hands when you feel the tendency to itch, scratch or touch.Learn to touch your arm instead of your face when you feel the urge. Set up a frequent reminder on your phone that says: “Don’t touch your face” and put post-it note reminders up around the house. When idle, use fidget spinners or stress balls to keep hands occupied, but disinfect these items often. Digestive problems and stomach upsets can be prevented, relieved and even banished by simple lifestyle changes, experts say.
Anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion. In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely. Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
1 Avoid eating at times when you’re feeling very anxious, stressed or unhappy.
2 Try to keep mealtimes happy and relaxed to aid digestion.
3 Stop smoking to prevent reflux. Smoking can weaken the muscle that controls the lower end of the food pipe, which allows acid from the stomach to travel in the wrong direction. Reflux heartburn can bring on or aggravate stomach ulcers and inflammatory conditions of the bowel.
4 Eat properly to help your digestion.
5 Do not rush your food. Try putting your fork down between bites and chew each mouthful well.
6 Do not overeat. Reduce the size of your portions at mealtimes, or try eating four or five small meals instead of three large ones.
7 Eat regularly and try not to skip meals.
8 Avoid eating a big meal just before you go to bed. Eat your last meal at least two to three hours before lying down.
9 Make sure you have plenty of water to drink.
10 Lose excess weight to relieve issues like heartburn, as tummy fat can put pressure on your stomach, causing heartburn.
11 Binge drinking causes acid-related digestive disorders.
Information from the NHS.co.uk and HSE. For the most up-to-date information and advice in Ireland on COVID-19, please visit the HSE’s webpage.
Overeating during isolation
Full fridges, a weekly shop, working from home and being confined, in addition to coping with children and the overall COVID-19 stress can make us all want to eat more than usual, whether for comfort, out of boredom or because it is our natural reaction to stress.
Bodywhys the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders makes these points:
The structure of three balanced meals a day is important. Be conscious of how much you are eating.Don’t buy junk food during your weekly shop.It is not Christmas. If you have an eating disorder and find that the added anxiety is affecting your recovery, you can get extra online or phone support from organisations like bodywhys.ie For those with eating disorders, Bodywhys says it is important to put in place a regular routine for yourself as quickly as possible. Routine is the practical aspect of trying to recover from an eating disorder. A routine around eating = routine in digestive system = regular physical effects = more regular mood/clearer thoughts and feelings.
“And remember, it is not only the person with an eating disorder who needs to have a routine and regular eating – it is helpful for everyone.”
Bodywhys Supports helpline can be reached at 1890 200 444.
Stress-busting breathing exercise:
1 Put your hands on your stomach.
Breathe in and then out, counting how long it takes each way.
2 On the next breath, breathe in for five seconds and out for five seconds. Do this for 10 breaths, making a conscious decision to try and relax as much as possible.
3 For 10 more breaths, breathe in for
seven seconds and out for seven seconds. Your pulse rate should now be lower.
Practice regularly.
From the HSE
Cancer patients are urging the public to follow guidelines on staying at home to control the spread of coronavirus.
The three-minute video titled My Life Matters features cancer patients and survivors of all ages from around the country, asking for support to keep them safe.
The video features Limerick-based cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan (picture left), who is living with stage-four cancer and self-isolating due to the threat of the virus.
“I’ve been living with cancer for quite a few years at this stage and I know all about having to isolate myself when my immune system is down,” Vicky says.
“The coronavirus has forced me to self-isolate again, but I’m really asking for everybody to do their bit and protect people like me, because my life matters,” she said.
Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “We are urging people to follow the public health advice and help cancer patients avoid coronavirus by stopping the spread.
These people have been through so much already and getting this virus could pose a very serious risk to their lives.”
People are also encouraged to share the video on social media, using the #MyLifeMatters hashtag to raise awareness of groups that need protecting.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: