Even though dad is the head of the family, Mum is the backbone in my house. Like all mums she did the housework and dishes — and her hands tell the story of the years doing the dishes.
Similarly my aunty’s hands and so too my neighbour — all of whom say washing in cold water and using the multiple kinds of harmful detergents cause harm to those hands.
So here’s this week’s shopper we look at handy tips to keep our mums’ hands safe.
Website http://www.healthhype.com on How to prevent ‘dishpan hands’ Dermatitis (Eczema)
The website reports that dishpan hands are a problem for any person who regularly washes dirty dishes by hand. It is actually not only a phenomenon with washing dishes. The same type of skin condition can occur when you wash clothes by hand or partake in other daily chores involving prolonged exposure to soap and water.
The medical term for dishpan hands is irritant contact dermatitis. It affects any person although some people are more sensitive than others.
When the substances trigger an immune reaction (allergy) it is then known as allergic contact dermatitis. The four main factors that contribute to skin irritation, either individually or collectively, is soap, water, perspiration and the food remnants on the dirty dishes.
While using a dishwashing machine or getting somebody else to do your dishes would be ideal, it is not an option for every person. Therefore you should look at taking simple everyday measures to avoid it. Dishpan hands are more likely to be a problem for you if you have pre-existing skin conditions like tinea manuum (hand fungus/ringworm), dyshidrotic dermatitis (pompholyx) or psoriasis.
Use rubber gloves when washing
Rubber gloves are one of the best ways to prevent dishpan hands. It is waterproof and therefore your skin does not make direct contact with the soap and water.
Change your dishwashing liquid soap
Sometimes the type of dishwashing detergent that you use may be a problem. It is always advisable to try different brands until you find one that is least likely to irritate your skin while still doing a good job of cleaning your dishes.
Generally stronger detergents and heavily scented brands are more of a problem. If your fingers and hands tend to itch or burn the moment you use the dishwashing liquid then this is a sign that a particular brand is an irritant
Do not take too long to wash dishes
Apart from the dishwashing soap that you are using, even water and the remnants of food on the plate are irritants to your skin. The longer the period of time that your hands are exposed to the soap, water and residue, the more likely it is to be irritated.
Try to wash your dishes quickly while still doing a proper job. Even wearing rubber gloves for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time can be a problem as perspiration accumulates.
Remove all hand jewellery when washing
Be it your ring, bracelet or a wrist watch, it is important to remove all of these items before you start the dishes. Often soap and water get trapped between the jewellery and skin thereby remaining for long periods of time after you have dried your hands. This prolonged exposure can irritate the skin. Cheaper jewellery may also react to the water and detergent and release chemicals that could irritate your skin beyond what soap and water may do. If you have washed dishes with jewellery on then remove it, rinse it thoroughly, wipe and let it air dry for about an hour before you wear it again.
Wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly
Do not be fooled into thinking that your hands are clean just because your dishes are sparkling bright. Your hands need to be thoroughly washed, rinsed and dried after you have finished washing the dishes.
Good skin care after washing the dishes
Washing and drying your hand thoroughly is important but so is the skin care regimen that follows. Remember that the soap and water strips your skin of its natural oils making it dry and prone to cracking and peeling.
