Is the Cold Weather
Cracking Down on Your Hands?
Find Relief with Hand Therapy
Using milder soaps. Some soaps can be harsh on the skin and can strip away the necessarymoisture for keeping them soft and comfortable. Instead of your normal bar-soap, you could try using a bath or shower gel to wash your hands with, as they are richer in moisture and will keep your hands hydrated. Staying hydrated. This is something that most people don’t think about during the winter months. In the summer, it makes sense – you’re hot, you’re sweaty, and a cool glass of water is just whatyou need to quenchyour thirst. In the winter, however, we tend to drink significantly less water. Cozying up with a mug of tea or hot cocoa sounds much more pleasant than downing some ice water. Nevertheless, drinking water throughout the day is still important in keeping your body hydrated and counteracting the drying effects.
Winter has been the nemesis of many hands for years. The cold weather can cause flare-ups of pain, in addition to dry, cracked skin. It can become frustrating, as going outside starts to feel like a chore – and an uncomfortable one, at that. Fortunately, our hand therapy services at Hands for Living can provide relief for any aches and painsyour handsmaybe feeling this holiday season. The weather outside may be frightful, but that shouldn’t stop your hands from still feeling delightful! How can I keep my hands safe? There are some preventative measures you can take in order to avoid pain or discomfort, such as: Wearing mittens. Choosingmittens over gloves will help keep your hands warmby allowingyour fingers to gain bodyheat off of each other. Gloves separate the fingers, which can decrease the effectiveness of their warmth. Mittens with liners on the
inside are even better for keeping in heat.
Keeping your hands active. Physical activity can be difficult in the winter time, as the days become shorter and the air becomes chillier. However, even a little bit of movement can help blood flow in your hands, which can alleviate pain. The best part –you don’t have to go outside! Simple exercises, such as getting up and taking a walk around the house, squeezing a stress ball, or rubbing your hands together will initiate blood flow and help your hands feel a bit better. Using lotions and creams. Lotions and creams will help in keeping your skin moist, which will prevent cracking and pain. The joints, muscles, and ligaments ofyour hands are allveryclose to the skin, so it is important to make sure your skin stays hydrated! Medicated creams can also be used to help with the alleviation of pain, and they are safe to use up to four times a day, even if you are taking other medications.
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