Frequent hand-washing? How to prevent dry skin

Washing your hands with soap and warm water is one of the best defenses against spreading viruses. But frequent hand-washing can also lead to dry or irritated skin.

Fortunately, your hands don't have to suffer just because you're taking important safety precautions. To prevent dry skin caused by frequent hand-washing, follow this advice from the experts at Mayo Clinic:

• Choose the right soap. Use a hypoallergenic soap that's free of perfumes or other potential irritants.
• Check water temperature. Wash with comfortably warm, not hot, water.
• Rinse well. After lathering, rinse all soap off your hands. Don't forget your wrists and between your fingers, since soap residue left on skin can be irritating.
• Gently pat your hands dry. Use a frequently washed towel or a paper towel. Don't let hands air-dry, since this increases evaporation of moisture from your skin.
• Moisturize. Apply and rub in a layer of hypoallergenic lotion or cream. For extra moisturization, wait a minute or so after the first application, then apply again.
• Consider adding ointment. If you want to kick your care up a notch, apply a layer of ointment on top of moisturized hands. Ointment doesn't absorb into skin, but it slows the natural evaporation of moisture from the skin.

If you have a skin condition, like dermatitis or eczema, that's flaring up with increased hand-washing, you may need high-powered moisturization. Add these steps recommended by Mayo Clinic experts:

• Trap moisture. After washing and patting dry, apply moisturizing lotion or cream and an ointment on top. Then wear a pair of socks or gloves during downtime — like when sleeping or watching TV — to help trap moisture in your skin.
• Apply a wet dressing. After washing and patting dry, apply 2 thick layers of moisturizing lotion or cream. The layers should be thick enough to leave visible residue on your hands. Do not apply ointment.

Mix a teaspoon of white vinegar into 8 ounces of warm water and stir. Take 2 clean washcloths and soak them with the water. Wring them out, then wrap your hands in the washcloths and put socks over that.

Wear this wet dressing overnight if sleeping, or for an hour at a time during the day. You can do this 2 to 3 times a day until your skin condition is under control.