Ask Dr. Vieder

Why do my hands get so dry in the winter? What can I do to make them better?

In winter, the humidity drops and dry air sucks moisture out of your skin. With less humidity, the moisture in your skin evaporates more quickly. When
it’s cold outside, a long hot bath or shower may seem really appealing. However, within 15 minutes, that hot water starts degrading the lipid (fatty &
oil) layer, and the removal of these natural fats dry your skin.

Try to treat dry hands at the very fi rst sign of symptom. Large cracks or fi ssures can be diffi cult to treat if you wait too long. Apply a hand cream or
treatment at least twice daily—but you really should be applying it after every hand wash or the moment they begin to feel dry again. If you’re prone
to dry, cracked hands, try to avoid hand sanitizers, which are high in alcohol. Use gentle cleansing soaps that are lipid-free and are more moisturizing
than traditional antibacterial soaps. If you develop cracks on your skin or fi ngers, apply bacitracin or hydrocortisone 1% ointment to the open area twice
daily for up to two weeks, then wrap with a Band-Aid.

What is the benefi t of increasing the humidity in my home and what’s the best way to do that?

Aside from the impact on your skin, dry air also contributes to those jarring static shocks that practically propels you across the room every time you
touch your pet or grab a conductive object! Aside from the traditional central HVAC humidifi er or room sized/table top humidifi er, there are several
other simple, low-cost actions to reach the target 35-45% humidity level in your home:

Use a traditional tea pot to boil water and quickly add humidity to your kitchens adjacent living space. Houseplants can help in
adding humidity to your home. Plants continuously release moisture from their leaves and stems as vapor. This process is called
transpiration and if you keep your plants watered, they will help regulate humidity levels inside your home. Place a metal or
ceramic bowl on top of your fl oor register or a radiant heating unit. Depending on the current humidity levels in your home
(and how much your heat is blasting) the water will evaporate into the air.

Finally, vent your clothes dryer inside instead of outside your home with a simple conversion kit. The moisture from drying your
clothes will stay in the house and reduce heating costs by releasing the warm air into your home.

For more health information, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com
Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfi eld / Livonia

2138560

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March 2 • 2017

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