A shout out to Alison Crane for following our theme of “hands” this month. Our hands accomplish so much for us in life. Let’s be sure to take good care of them.
By Alison Crane
Did you know that one surgery center lists over 43 different types of surgeries for hands? And as far as sayings or phrases that reference the hand, there are hundreds of them that are part of our everyday vocabulary. Considering everything we put our hands through, the hand is a pretty remarkable appendage and deserves daily care to keep it in good condition.
Clean hands are the first line of defense to prevent illness, but when it comes to hand care there is so much more that needs to be done to maintain good hand health. When washing hands, it is recommended to use soap and rinse with warm water while rubbing the hands together for 15-20 seconds. Hand sanitizer can be used when it is not possible to wash the hands or as an added disinfectant after washing.
Washing or sanitizing hands throughout the day can cause dry skin, making it susceptible to cracking or damage. Use a hand cream or ointment that is non-alcohol, fragrance, and dye-free based to best protect and moisturize dry hands. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using moisturizer after washing your hands does not cancel their cleanliness.
The skin on our hands is an important barrier to prevent germs from entering our bodies and we also use our hands to accomplish the majority of our tasks each day, so it makes sense to take steps to maintain the health of our hands. Here are three tips for keeping your hands healthy.
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every time your hands are going to be exposed to the sun to prevent aging and development of precancerous spots, called actinic keratoses (AKs).
- Give your hands a break anytime you engage in heavy use of your hands whether working or playing. Either stop what you are doing completely for a moment or give your hands a shake or stretch to unlock stiffened joints.
- Maintain an evening hand care routine by applying a nourishing cream or ointment to seal in moisture each night. Wearing cotton gloves can help prevent the moisturizer from rubbing off and protect your hands from the dry inside air at night.
Taking time to take care of our hands can prevent illness and injury and help us to be able to accomplish all of the beautiful and useful things we want to do. Remember – “No hand is as beautiful as a helping hand.”
To learn more about how to maintain good health and develop healthy habits, contact the Garland County Extension Service at 501-623-6841 or acrane@uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook @GarlandCountyExtension-UADA.
Alison Crane is a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the Garland County Extension Service. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
