Here's how to keep your skin healthy in winter

Dr. Michael Caldwell For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Everyone knows that washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways to keep germs away and to stay healthy. This is especially important during the winter and flu season. Sadly, many just don’t take this seriously. Make sure you and your family understand the proper technique for hand washing and how important it is to keep your hands and skin healthy during these dry winter months.

Approximately one-third to one-half of us don’t wash our hands at all after using the bathroom (yes, it is gross but true) and 95 percent of us don’t properly wash our hands when we do. Think of that the next time you shake someone’s hand. I remember meeting the comedian Howie Mandel at ABC after a taping of "Live with Kelly." He greeted me and my son Brian with a fist bump. I find that fist bumps are becoming more socially acceptable, especially during the winter season. Why don’t you join me in trying this out with your co-workers and family?

Proper hand-washing

Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. You should wash your hands before and after preparing food, before you sit down to eat, after using the toilet and every other time that you have touched something dirty, such as touching highly used surface areas like door handles or even shaking hands. It is important to first properly prepare your hands by fully wetting them with clean running water, preferably warm water. Next comes the soap when you need to lather and scrub all surfaces. Be sure to always include the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. Timing is key, as most of us are guilty of using the wet and shake approach to washing our hands, which is completely inadequate. This video will help you learn to wash your hands correctly: http://www.cdc.gov/cdctv/healthyliving/hygiene/fight-germs-wash-hands.html

Sing 'Happy Birthday' twice

We all know how to sing "Happy Birthday!" Use this technique to help you time how long you should be lathering and scrubbing your hands during hand-washing. You need at least 20 seconds of scrubbing in order to properly wash your hands and you’ll often hear me singing "Happy Birthday" to myself while I’m washing my hands. Singing it twice in a row usually takes about 20 seconds and that is a great easy way to assure you’ve spent enough time washing.

Forget the antibacterial soap

Yes, it’s true. This past September the FDA has made it clear that all we need is clean water and soap to properly wash our hands. Antibacterial soap is no better and may even be harmful. “Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.” If soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand wipe will reduce the germs on your hands temporarily.

Avoiding dry skin in winter

Keeping your skin healthy in the dry winter weather is so important to reducing your risk of infections. Germs can more easily enter your body and cause you to get sick more easily if your skin is not healthy and protecting you. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and acts as a protective barrier against many potential illnesses. Keep your skin from drying out and cracking, and even bleeding.

What to do

Keep hydrated. Yes, drinking enough water every day is always important yet it is just the beginning in keeping your skin healthy. Humidifiers are very helpful and they’re not that expensive. Keep the air in your home moist and humidified especially if you have a forced-air heating system. The cold dry air pulls the moisture out of our skin, our sinuses and upper airways, and tears down our defenses against germs.

Moisturize throughout the day. Use thick oil-based moisturizers on your skin frequently, especially after you take a shower. The moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated longer. Many dermatologists recommend Eucerin and Cetaphil. Focus on your hands, your feet and any areas where you have frequent dry skin. Applying lip balm (not alcohol-based) throughout the day will keep your lips smooth and not chapped.

What to avoid

Long baths and showers will remove the natural oils in our skin and cause our skin to dry out much faster. Avoid baths and keep showers short. Avoid alcohol-based products and perfumes, which accelerate the drying out of your skin. Also avoid excessive sun exposure, yes even in the winter. Make it a habit to use sunscreen every day and keep some handy whenever you are in the car or traveling. Drinking alcoholic beverages damages our skin and doesn’t help to keep us warm. Avoiding alcohol is important for healthy skin and a healthy you.

The winter is full of wonder in our Hudson Valley. Keep your skin in the best condition so you can truly make your season healthy and bright.

Dr. Michael Caldwell is the former Dutchess County Commissioner of Health. Send comments to healthchief@yahoo.com; Twitter: @healthchief