Combat Covid Cracked Hands: How to Keep Them Soft

We need to wash, wash, and wash again! Thanks to COVID-19, we need to keep sanitizing, but this takes a toll, resulting in cracked hands. So let's look at how to keep them soft.

The Problem - Cracked Hands

I think I'm probably not far off the mark in saying we are all suffering from cracked hands at the moment. With the excessive but oh so necessary hand washing and hand sanitising gels we're all using with the current climate, they, they don't stand a chance. I know mine have been damaged, they are so dry and cracking now too!

There are lots of things we can do to change this, however. I've put a new regime in place that I thought I'd share with you all.

Tip 1

The best advice I can give you ladies, to avoid cracked hands, is to definitely wear your Marigolds for all household chores we've found ourselves doing. Well, let's face it, being stuck at home, if you are anything like me, you are taking the opportunity to do some extra cleaning, and there's more washing up, since every meal for the whole family is at home! Washing up liquid and cleaning products are total enemies to the skin and nails. Add that to the additional hand-washing and sanitising gels to wash away any viral bugs, and your hands don't stand a chance! So, level the playing field and wear your Marigolds!

Tip 2

At any and every opportunity you get, slather on a good hand cream and if you have it, a cuticle oil too. Put the cuticle oil on first, then cream your hands up regularly. This will definitely alleviate cracked hands. I don't know about you, but I have actually given up on shellac, gel, and acrylics for now. It seems pointless during lockdown. I've been doing a lot more with the kids, and I'm finding typing this a joy with au naturel nails!

Tip 3

Which brings me to nail care. I'm just regularly filing my nails, keeping them shortish and practical for now, and focusing on keeping them hydrated as often as I'm dehydrating them with the washing. A really great time to cream up is before you put your gloves on, before you dip those hands into that hot washing-up water, because the heat of the water will act like a sauna and make the cream actually act like a hand mask on your hands inside those gloves! Brilliant - a treat for your hands whilst you wash!

Tip 4

The other great time and probably the most important of all is last thing at night before you drift off. Our skin repairs at night whilst we sleep, so slap it on those hands then and don't forget your face and neck too. Night creams nourish and repair. I always finish off by wiping any remains of face cream that's on my palms onto the backs of my hands. Don't neglect the rest of your body or feet either. Your body will thank you! Results are immediate with hydration.

Tip 5

I smashed my toe badly last week, being reckless and clumsy with the sofa of all things, in bare feet. So, I shall be replacing that in due course over the coming days with an acrylic toenail replacement because the toenail is three-quarters detached. Despite my naivety, where I momentarily kidded myself into thinking it had reattached, it's definitely coming off! And yup, that's actually a thing, acrylic toenail replacements!

If you are finding you are getting dry skin around your nails, apart from hand creams, oils, and cuticle creams, you can purchase some cuticle nippers from most supermarkets or chemists - if you're out anyway. These are great for just nipping off any loose, dry, sharp, hard bits of skin or cuticle that are catching and tempting you to pick! Follow these links to two high street stores that sell nippers: Boots and Superdrug.

Bottom line though - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...oh, and gloves!

#Stayhome and #staysafe everyone.

Love and miss you all <3 Can't wait to be back working again. Remember, once we are open again, to book in your appointments by getting in touch here.

Love Caz. xx