Frequent hand-washing and application of hand sanitizer can lead to severely dry hands. “Keeping skin moisturized is important”, said Dr. Craig Shapiro an attending physician in infectious diseases at Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital in Delaware. “If the skin is breaking down or raw, then the soap and alcohol disinfectants do not work as well. Also when skin is chapped and broken, it’s uncomfortable, and people can be less likely to wash their hands to prevent transmission of germs and infection.”

Dr. Shapiro recommends a soap or sanitizer with an emollient and avoiding perfumes and dyes, as they can further irritate skin. He says soaps and sanitizers with moisturizers can be just as effective as those without moisturizers.

If you use a lotion apply it after you wash your hands.