Proper hand washing is the first line of defence against coronavirus, but may be drying out your skin. Courtesy Pxhere
Proper hand washing is the first line of defence against coronavirus, but may be drying out your skin. Courtesy Pxhere
Proper hand washing is the first line of defence against coronavirus, but may be drying out your skin. Courtesy Pxhere
Proper hand washing is the first line of defence against coronavirus, but may be drying out your skin. Courtesy Pxhere

Dry hands from constant washing? Here are some tips on how to counter the flaky problem


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Our hands are at the frontline of our personal battle against Covid-19.

We’ve all learnt to wash them regularly, for extended periods of time, and to slather them in hand sanitiser when needed. But for many, the flip side of all this attention is flaky or dry skin, exacerbated by the fact that we are spending more time indoors, with the air conditioning on.

We are seeing more dermatitis of the hands than usual, as the alcohol in hand sanitisers as well as the act of washing hands more frequently are both drying out the skin

“With Covid-19 requiring frequent handwashing and sanitising, and with most people staying at home, as well the onset of summer and Ramadan, we should be taking more care of our skin,” says Dr Mariam Khalfan Al Suwaidi, consultant dermatologist and head of Healthpoint’s department of dermatology.

"At Healthpoint, we are seeing more dermatitis of the hands than usual, as the alcohol in hand sanitisers as well as the act of washing hands more frequently are both drying out the skin. Some sanitisers and soaps contain chemicals and perfumes that irritate the skin, and cause contact dermatitis,” she adds.

Moisturise constantly

After washing your hands for the prescribed minimum of 20 seconds, ensure they are completely dry and then make a habit of applying some moisturiser. Al Suwaidi recommends a skincare, rather than cosmetics, range with as few perfumes, chemicals and potential irritants possible.

Himalaya Nourishing Hand Cream.
Himalaya Nourishing Hand Cream.

Using moisturiser will not neutralise your handwashing efforts, or leave you more vulnerable to infections, notes Dr Rutsnei Schmitz Junior, a dermatologist at Medcare Women and Children Hospital. He also recommends that you moisturise immediately after washing your hands, using a pea-sized amount of lotion that you rub into both hands.

“Use moisturisers with mineral oil or petrolatum – they are the ones that you squeeze out of a tube, not the ones that you pump out of a bottle. Choose fragrance-free and dye-free moisturisers, as these are less irritating to your skin.”

Dr Rutsnei Schmitz Junior, a dermatologist at Medcare Women and Children Hospital
Dr Rutsnei Schmitz Junior, a dermatologist at Medcare Women and Children Hospital

If you suspect that you are suffering from more than your run-of-the-mill dryness, Al Suwaidi recommends consulting with a dermatologist; she is currently seeing patients through video calls to maintain social distancing. “If you have a flare-up indicating dermatitis, with symptoms such as red, cracked, itchy or burning skin, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist to ensure it is not accompanied by a bacterial infection.”

A good night's sleep and lukewarm showers

Heightened anxiety and stress levels, as well as disrupted sleeping patterns, may also be having an adverse affect on your skin, suggests Dr Fiona Cowie, an aesthetician at Dermalase Clinic in Dubai.

“It is important for our skin that we stick to a regular sleep pattern otherwise our bodies release more cortisol which is the stress hormone. Cortisol can cause flare ups of acne, eczema and psoriasis. Exercising regularly at home will help to reduce cortisol as well as reducing stress and anxiety, leading to clearer skin.”

If you are suffering from perpetually itchy skin, Cowie suggests acquiring a humidifier. Also, avoid long hot showers, which can further dehydrate your skin and take shorter, lukewarm showers instead. And do not become over-reliant on the hand sanitiser. Its alcohol content is far more likely to dry out your skin, so rely on good old fashioned soap and water instead.

Use water and soap before you reach for the hand sanitiser. Getty Images
Use water and soap before you reach for the hand sanitiser. Getty Images

“Avoid washing in excessively hot water, as this can strip the natural protective oils from your skin. Make sure you use a moisturising soap, soaps that have glycerin and lanolin in them are excellent moisturisers, suggests Cowie. “Try to avoid bar soaps, and use liquid soaps instead as these have a lower pH and are less drying to skin. And try to pat hands dry rather than using rough towels to avoid disrupting the natural skin barrier.

“A good tip is to leave a moisturiser next to every sink and get into the habit of applying it after every hand wash. Using gloves as much as possible for household chores will also help to protect your hands. Finally, if you suffer with a skin condition that has become worse during lockdown, try to avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as cereals, rice and white bread, and replace them with foods that are rich in antioxidants to boost your overall health.”

As the weather heats up, you should also be doing your best to stay hydrated, especially if you are fasting, as this will have an impact on the skin all over your body.

A DIY treatment

As a special treat, why not try a DIY hand mask, says Galina Antoniuk, director of Anantara Dubai Spa. “Hand masks are a skin conditioning, nourishing treatment, improving the appearance of the skin and are usually used after exfoliation, which removes dead skin and improves circulation.

"Note that hand masks can be prepared at home. Add 2/3 cup of sugar to a jar or container of your choice (whatever sugar you have in the pantry is fine). Add 1/4 cup of either coconut oil or olive oil. Apply to hands and rub together. Rinse and apply hand cream.”

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)

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Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST

Premier League

Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm 

Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm  

Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm 

Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm 

Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)

Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm 

Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm

Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm

Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm 

Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm

Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm 

Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm

Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm

 

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South Africa (squad): Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

MEYDAN RESULTS

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Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).          

7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m

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Winner  Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner  Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m

Winner  Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar

10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
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THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 523hp

Torque: 750Nm

Price: Dh469,000

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