Proper hand hygiene can seem like a catch-22 when you have eczema. Obviously, washing your hands helps to keep you healthy and prevent the spread of diseases, even more so during the Covid-19 pandemic; however, frequent handwashing and sanitizing can make eczema worse in people who have it and even cause people who don't have it to develop it. Almost 75 percent of healthcare workers have reported that frequent handwashing and sanitizing has damaged the skin on their hands.
Eczema flare-ups caused by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer are not only concerning because of the irritation, itching, and pain that develops. They're also a concern because of the damage to your skin barrier. When your skin barrier breaks down, that provides an entry point for germs, making you more susceptible to the diseases you're trying to avoid.
The good news is that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less likely to cause an eczema flare than washing your hands with soap and water. Unless your hands are visibly dirty, you should use hand sanitizer rather than soap and hot water on your hands. According to the CDC, you should use a hand sanitizer that:
- Has over 70% isopropanol or
- Has over 60% ethanol
- Doesn't have other allergens
- Contains moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera
For most people, hand washing is recommended over using hand sanitizer, as it's more effective. However, if frequent hand washing is damaging your skin, using hand sanitizer is recommended. Regardless of whether you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, you should moisturize your hands frequently.
Here are some more tips for avoiding eczema flares due to soap or hand sanitizer:
- When you wash your hands, use lukewarm or cold water and wash for 20 seconds
- Avoid very hot and very cold water
- Pat your hands dry instead of rubbing
- Apply moisturizer immediately after cleaning your hands
- Use moisturizers that are packaged in tubes or pumps to avoid having to dip your hands in the jar, which could spread germs
- You don't need to use special antibiotic soap
- Avoid soaps with fragrances, dyes, or other allergens
