Next week is National Handwashing Awareness Week. With flu season in full swing, we don’t have to tell you that washing your hands isn’t just important after using the bathroom and before eating. Sanitize your hands after touching things like handrails and doorknobs. Here are some tips to keep your hands soft and smooth, despite all the washing.

Use a gentle, pH-balanced hand soap. Make sure you’re not sensitive to any of the ingredients – they can vary according to the smell and scent. Additionally, set the water temperature to lukewarm. Hot water can strip natural oils out of the skin.

While washing dishes, avoid contact with dish soap by wearing gloves or using a long-handled scrubber. Dish soap is hard on the skin and can cause cracking. One final tip is to remove rings and jewelry before washing. Irritants can get trapped under the jewelry and disturb your skin.

To schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group, call (865)690-9467.