Hand washing is an essential component of good health, especially during cold and flu season. Since simple acts like shaking hands or opening doorknobs are common methods of passing illness, everyone should wash their hands as often as possible to stay germ-free. However, an unanticipated side-effect of multiple hand washes each day is chapped hands, especially for children and during the winter.
Hand Washing Steps
Young children learn through repetition and example that hand washing should be done after using the bathroom, before eating, and after sneezing or coughing. The three core components of hand washing are: wet, lather, and rinse. However, a critical step often left out or not fully emphasized is the importance of thoroughly drying the hands after washing them.
To be effective, young children learn to wash the front and back of their hands, particularly between the fingers, and to continue washing for at least 15-20 seconds, approximately for how long it takes to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" at a slow pace. And then hands should be completely dried with a clean towel, paper towel, or hand dryer.
When hands are not fully dried after being washed, or the soap is not fully washed off, the skin is more likely to become dry and more vulnerable to cuts. For individuals with sensitive skin or who are prone to eczema this tendency is even more prevalent.
Help for Dry Hands
Once hands are particularly dry or chapped, or have become victims to paper cuts or other slices, healing the skin becomes a more arduous task. Similarly, using hand sanitizers or wipes is painful because the alcohol base burns and further dries out the skin. Without proper handling, children may develop an aversion to the hand sanitizer because it hurts to use it.
The best method for healing dry hands is to consistently use warm - not cold - water during hand washes, to gently dry them, and to regularly use a strong lotion to moisturize the skin.
Choose soaps that are gentle or formulated to moisturize. Similarly, use a hand lotion to repair damaged skin as many brands offer lotions that are both gentle and promote healing.
Apply lotion liberally after hand washes, or throughout the day. Turn applying lotion into a game with children by dotting the lotion on each knuckle or making smiley faces on the back of their hands. Give children more control by allowing them to choose which lotion they are going to use.
There’s no doubt that hand washing is a simple preventive technique to ward off illness. However, teaching children about hand drying an important step in the process as well.
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