How can you maintain the health of your hands in the winter?

The winter season and cold weather cause dryness and cracking of the skin, especially the hands, as they are permanently exposed to cold air, and washing them frequently without drying them and taking care of them properly can increase the chances of them becoming inflamed or dehydrated.

There are some tips that you can work with to keep your hands healthy in winter, including the following:

Do not use hot water

Hot water rid the skin of important natural oils to maintain its health and moisture, so hot water should be avoided when washing hands, as well as when bathing.

It is recommended to use lukewarm or relatively cold water to maintain healthy skin.

Choose a natural lotion

Most types of hand cleansers contain irritating chemicals and perfumes that cause dermatitis, so you should look for a type that is free of these harmful substances, such as some types made from natural materials. You must also consider choosing a lotion that also gives moisture to the hands, as there are types that increase the dryness and cracking of the skin.

Wear gloves

Wearing gloves outside the home helps reduce exposure of the hands to cold air, which causes dryness and cracking of the skin, and it is preferable to choose a type that helps warm the hands well, such as gloves lined with cashmere or wool. Rubber gloves should also be worn while washing dishes or cleaning the house, as they are designed to protect hands from harmful chemicals.

Avoid scratching

The feeling of the need to scratch the hands increases in the winter season as a result of dry skin, but if you feel itchy, you should not rub or scratch it with the fingers of the hand because this will aggravate the problem, and it may cause scratches and wounds on the skin.

Moisturizing the skin

Moisturizing the hands should be done well in the winter season, and hydration is by drinking large quantities of water and fluids throughout the day, in addition to using moisturizing cream on various areas of the skin, including the hands, and it is recommended to choose a moisturizing cream made of natural oils and materials that do not harm the skin.

Use sunscreen

Many people stop wearing sunscreen in the winter season, and this is wrong, as the skin needs sunscreen in all seasons, not only in the summer season, because the sun's rays can cause many damage to the skin. Therefore, sunscreen should be applied to various exposed skin areas, most notably the face, neck and hands, before leaving the house.

Removing dead skin cells

One of the important things to maintain the health of hands is to remove dead skin cells periodically, by using a gentle scrub on the skin, and it is preferable to make a home scrub made of coconut oil and sugar, and rub this mixture on the hand gently in circular motions, then wash the hand with lukewarm water .

It is preferable to peel the skin once every two weeks, because excessive peeling can cause skin health problems.

Do not over-sterilize the hand

Hand sanitizing in the event of contact with any unclean surfaces is necessary, especially outside the home, as it is difficult to repeatedly wash hands using soap, but it is advised not to over-sterilize the hands because this leads to rapid dryness of the skin.

Do not use a hand dryer

Many people resort to using an air dryer to dry their hands after washing them, as it is available in various places, but this air dryer can cause dry skin and increase the likelihood of cracking. It is also best to avoid using paper towels, which may be harsh on the skin.

It is recommended to use a clean cotton towel. This towel should be personal and not be used by more than one person.

Massage the hands with natural oils

Natural oils help protect the skin from dryness and cracking, so it is recommended to put natural oils on the hands and massage them before bed, and it is preferable to keep the oil on the hand overnight.

There are some types of moisturizing oils that are recommended, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil. It is preferable to wear socks on the hands after applying the oil and take it off in the morning.

Pay attention to cleaning nails

Care must be taken to clean the nails and protect them from bacteria that may multiply underneath them, and it is best to cut them frequently. Also, the skin surrounding the nails should not be removed as it protects them from various skin problems, but if it is removed, the chances of infection with fungi and skin infections will increase.

Eat healthy foods

There are many foods that promote healthy skin, so it is recommended to include them in the daily diet, including:

Broccoli : Broccoli contains vitamin C and vitamin E, which are important vitamins for maintaining healthy skin and protecting it from various diseases.

Walnuts : Walnuts are one of the most important sources of omega-3, and they contain important minerals and vitamins such as zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E, in addition to selenium, all of which are necessary for healthy skin. As well as nuts contain important elements and vitamins for the skin.

Fatty fish : Fatty fish helps in strengthening the skin, maintaining its health, and resisting any bacteria that can infect it, because they contain omega-3, vitamin E and zinc, and there are many types of fatty fish that can be eaten, such as salmon and sardines.

Tomatoes : Tomatoes contain vitamin C, in addition to a group of other important elements for skin health and the prevention of signs of aging and wrinkles, so it is recommended to add them to your daily salad.

Sunflower seeds : Sunflower seeds are an important source of zinc, selenium and vitamin E, which are essential elements for healthy skin, as they contribute to cell regeneration and promote collagen production.

Olive oil : It is recommended to take a tablespoon of olive oil daily in the winter, because it has many benefits for the body and skin, as olive oil contains healthy fats and protects the skin from irritation and inflammation.

Leafy vegetables : Leafy vegetables, especially spinach, contain a good proportion of vitamin E, which is important to promote healthy skin, and therefore it is preferable to eat it more than once a week.

Carrots : Carrots are important foods for skin health, as they contain beta-carotene, which protects the skin from various damages and from sunlight, and carrots can be eaten on their own or added to a salad dish.

Sweet potatoes : Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, which maintains the health of the skin and protects it from diseases, and it is preferable to eat sweet potatoes grilled to get its many benefits.

Avocado : Avocado is one of the fruits rich in many vitamins, most notably vitamin E, which is considered a powerful antioxidant, in addition to healthy fats, thus preserving the avocado fruit maintains the health and hydration of the skin during the winter season, and avocados can be added to various dishes or eat avocado juice without Sweeten it.

Red or yellow pepper: Red or yellow pepper provides many vitamins and nutrients important for skin health, such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, which are elements that help in the renewal of skin cells and protect it from dehydration, so colored peppers should be added to various healthy dishes, and it can also be eaten with a salad .

Dark chocolate : Dark chocolate contains a high percentage of antioxidants important to moisturize the skin and protect it from sun damage, but it is not recommended to eat too much chocolate because it contains a large proportion of sugars.

Green tea : It is recommended to drink one to two cups of green tea daily without adding sugar to obtain its many benefits, as it is considered a powerful antioxidant, protects the skin from damage, and works to improve the health of the skin and its attractive appearance.

Source: Medical