It is common for people to do what they can to avoid getting sick. As the world changes and the novel coronavirus continues to spread, illness prevention is more important now than ever before. Surprisingly, skin care can play a big role in keeping you happy and healthy. Taking care of the skin on your hands and face can reduce the likelihood of cuts, rashes, and abrasions. Broken skin can increase your likelihood of infection, so it is important to do what you can to keep your skin healthy. To help, here are some steps you take to preserve skin health and reduce your chances of getting sick.
People around the country are washing their hands more than ever before, but few are tending to the skin problems that can arise from excessive soap use. We all know that the only way to effectively wash hands is to scrub for around 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Over time, however, this can lead to increased skin dryness, which can be painful and uncomfortable. In some cases, this dryness can expose a person to additional health hazards.
When skin cracks, cuts, or develops a rash, it exposes a person to the risk of infection. Your skin is the body’s protective barrier, and any entrance through that barrier can create a major health hazard. Bacterial infection is the most common with hand cuts and cracks. However, though the risk is very low, the novel coronavirus can also spread through these types of cuts, making you more susceptible to both contracting and spreading the disease.
To avoid potential infection, invest in a high-quality moisturizer. We recommend using a lighter moisturizer to use directly after washing your hands and a heavier one overnight. Additionally, overusing hand sanitizer may keep your hands bacteria-free, but the alcohols found in these products can exacerbate dryness. Broken, rough, and dirty skin is a harbor for bacteria and viruses, so do what you can to take care of your hands.
While you aren’t likely to contract a virus from at-home acne extraction, you could expose yourself to additional health risks. Attempting at-home acne extraction can push the inflammation further into the skin, causing infection or a more severe form of inflammatory acne. These conditions will require immediate medical attention.
If you’re struggling to avoid popping a pimple, we recommend trying at-home spot treatments or strong facial cleaners. Stressful situations are known to trigger acne flare-ups. You can work against this by getting enough sleep, staying adequately hydrated, keeping a steady and healthy diet, and keeping up your regular acne routine.
Times of high stress and routine upheaval can cause breakouts, dull skin, and general anxiety. Remember that skin care can become a relaxing part of your daily routine, even if it only includes moisturizing your hands every few hours. We recommend doing what you can to keep up your regular skin care routine – in addition to adding moisturizer – as it can provide important mental health benefits.
