Looking after hands in the washroom during winter

Winter can be harsh in all sorts of ways, especially on the skin. Normal hand washing can dry out even the toughest of hands, but for people working in medical environments, nurseries or care homes the toll can be even higher on delicate skin.

There are steps you can take to help your clients lessen the impact of dermatitis and other skin conditions related to dry, cracked hands – conditions that constant washing can exacerbate.

Here are our winter washroom tips for keeping skin healthy and happy.

Choose your soap wisely

Recommend a soap to your clients that has moisturising properties if they work in areas where constant hand washing is required. This will help to stop hands from drying out through harsh soaps that strip the skin of its natural moisture. It’s also worth recommending they look at soaps free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) as these can excessively dry hands out and cause problems with dryness when used frequently. Providing moisturiser in washrooms is another good way of replenishing what gets lost through hand washing.

Switch to paper towels

Just like using a hair dryer that dries out your hair and can leave it looking a little frizzy, the same happens to your hands when using a hand dryer. Sensitive skin can be sapped of its moisture while using a hand dryer with heat, so to avoid excessive dryness paper towels are a good way of combatting this. Dabbing or patting the hands dry with a paper towel will reduce any friction that can also cause dry skin and will help to keep hands in better condition than blasting them with a hand dryer.

Avoid hand sanitiser

The majority of hand sanitisers contain alcohol, and when this is used on the skin it evaporates quickly and can dry the skin out leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. Some people can also be sensitive to some of the additives in the sanitiser which can cause skin to flare up. Soap is best used during the winter, along with a moisturiser, but if you have to recommend a hand sanitiser to your clients choose one that is good for sensitive skin and won’t cause excessive dryness.

Clean areas that are touched

This may seem like an odd choice for a focus on skincare but if people who are prone to eczema or dermatitis are inclined to not wash their hands as often in the winter because of the drying impact, then areas that are touched like door handles, cubicle locks, taps and paper towel dispensers, will carry a lot more germs than normal. Focussing on keeping these areas clean will help to lessen any impact of germs being easily transmitted and keep the workforce well.

If you need help choosing the right products for your washroom during the winter then you can call us for advice and assistance on 023 9920 7788 or email [email protected]