Between the coughing and sneezing during the cold and flu season, proper hygiene practices are important. According to the Centers For Disease Control, hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of disease.
But washing your hands every time you blow your nose can present a problem, too.
Jessica Rigler, an epidemiologist with the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the biggest risk to people washing their hands too frequently is skin can become raw. And damaged skin can hold more dangerous pathogens.
Rigler said there is an easy way to keep you and your hands healthy.
“Lotions can be a very important barrier in protecting your hands or the skin on your hands if you’re frequently washing them. So, that’s something that we’ll see utilized often times in medical practices,” she said.
Rigler doesn’t discourage anyone from washing their hands. She said using cold water instead of hot can help cut down on dry skin. Using hand sanitizer is also acceptable.
