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The palm of the hand is one part of the body that is prone to dryness, making it feel rough, even easy to peel. If you are experiencing it, don't worry, there are several ways to smooth rough palms that can be done.
Causes of dry and rough palms
Rough skin on the palms of the hands is common. Generally, this disorder occurs along with dry skin conditions.
Some of the causes of dry and rough palm skin are as follows.
1. Exposure to cold weather
One of the causes of dry palm skin is weather changes, especially when the cold hits. The lack of humidity in the air during cold weather can dry out the skin.
A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology proves that when the skin is exposed to cold weather, dry and rough skin can occur.
2. Excessive use of the wrong soap
The habit of washing hands as often as possible using soap or hand sanitizer that is not appropriate can cause the skin of the palms to become rough.
This condition can also occur if you often wash dishes or clothes for a long time. The content of strong surfactants in soap can strip the natural oils on the skin of the palms of the hands so that the skin can become very dry.
3. Certain medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause dry, rough, and even peeling palm skin. For example, people with eczema or psoriasis are prone to inflammation of the skin, making it dry easily.
In addition, people who experience autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes or lupus, because they have less blood circulation to the skin. As a result, the skin is prone to irritation and feels dry.
How to smooth rough palms
Dry and rough palm skin, even peeling, can certainly make you feel uncomfortable. Especially if you have to touch things, or when shaking hands with other people.
To overcome this, consider the various ways to smooth the following rough palms.
1. Don't wash your hands excessively
One way to smooth rough palms is to not wash your hands excessively.
Washing hands is part of a clean and healthy lifestyle. However, if done excessively your skin can become dry, rough, and peel easily.
Therefore, you need to be wise in washing your hands, including washing your hands sparingly. Then, pay attention to the recommended hand washing method. The recommended way to wash your hands is to use lukewarm or warm water. Avoid using water that is too hot because it can dry out the skin on your palms. Gently rub your palms and between your fingers.
Next, dry your hands immediately to prevent dry skin. Palms that are still wet and not dried properly can trigger dry skin because water can strip the skin of its natural oils as it evaporates.
2. Choose the right-hand sanitizer
Many hand sanitizer products can trigger dry, rough, and peeling hand skin.
Therefore, use hand soap that contains moisturizers, such as glycerin and lanolin. If possible, you can choose a liquid soap product instead of a bar. The reason is, bar soap usually has a higher pH level, so it sometimes triggers dry and rough skin due to frequent hand washing.
3. Frequently use hand moisturizer
How to smooth the palms that are no less important is to use moisturizing products frequently.
The use of moisturizer serves to overcome, protect, and prevent dry and rough palms. You can use moisturizing products that are formulated for the skin of the palms, such as hand cream.
However, make sure the moisturizing hand cream you use contains the following substances:
- Occlusive, able to prevent water loss from the skin, such as lanolin acid, stearic acid, caprylic/capric triglycerides, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, squalene, shea butter, and allantoin.
- Humectants, function to lock skin moisture. Examples of humectants are glycerin, sorbitol, sodium pyrrolidine, carboxylic acids, lactate, urea, and honey.
- Emollients, which function to soften and soothe the skin, such as isopropyl myristate, octyl octanoate, Cyclomethicone, and dimethicone.
The use of almond oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and aloe vera gel can also be used as a natural way to smooth the palms.
You can apply moisturizer right after washing your hands or when your palms feel dry and rough. If you regularly use prescription creams, such as corticosteroids, wait 30 minutes before applying moisturizer.
4. Apply petroleum jelly
In addition to a special hand moisturizer, how to smooth rough palms can use petroleum jelly.
The benefits of petroleum jelly can moisturize dry and rough palms. You simply apply petroleum jelly on the surface of the skin on your palms regularly every night.
Then, wrap your palms in gloves overnight.
5. Protect skin from sun exposure
Sun exposure can dry out your palms. You can prevent dry skin by protecting your skin from direct sunlight.
Always use sunscreen or sunscreen containing SPF to protect the skin of your palms when you are active in the sun.
6. Drink lots of water
Dry and rough palms can be overcome by meeting the body's fluid needs, such as drinking more water.
Because adequate intake of fluids in the body by drinking water can keep your skin moist.
How to smooth rough palms is easy to do. You just need to be disciplined to drink 8 glasses of water every day.
7. Use a humidifier
Exposure to hot and dry air can aggravate the condition of the palms on sensitive skin.
The use of a humidifier is useful for maintaining the humidity of the room so that it can protect the skin from drying out.
8. Eat healthy and nutritious food
How to soften dry and rough palms is not only done through treatments from outside the body.
The reason is, the skin needs a variety of nutrients that you can get through the consumption of healthy and nutritious foods.
For example, fiber-rich foods, such as green vegetables, fresh fruits, and nuts.