If you live in a hard water area you may struggle with dry hands! This was particularly apparent during the COVID-19 health crisis and, with government advice to wash your hands as frequently as possible, many people are finding that their skin is becoming tight, itchy and uncomfortable and it is harder to have healthy, happy hands.
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So why does hard water have this drying effect on the skin?
Unlike soft water, hard water contains high quantities of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals mean that the hand soap you use is not properly dissolved by the water and therefore does not rinse away. Because of this, a scummy residue is left behind on your skin and this will then build up, resulting in clogged pores.
Your skin produces natural oils which are distributed through the pores in order to keep itself moisturised and protected. If the pores become clogged the oils are not able to get through, thus resulting in dry hands and skin.
This is not the only issue when washing hands with hard water. Whereas soft water makes it easier to form a nice sudsy lather, It is harder to create this with hard water meaning that you keep adding more and more soap in order to feel that your hands are being cleaned sufficiently. This will sadly only have the effect of exacerbating the problem as the build-up of residue will increase the more soap you use and make your dry hands problem worse.
Are there any other issues caused by this?
Yes. If you feel you need to use more soap, your bottle of hand wash is not going to last you very long. This can end up being costly to both your bank account as well as the environment as you need to buy more and more, often in single-use plastic bottles.
Add to this all the hand cream you will need to use to try and put some moisture back in your skin, the costs can really start to add up.
How Hard Water Exacerbates Dry Skin Conditions Like Eczema
For individuals with skin conditions such as eczema, hard water can significantly worsen symptoms. The high mineral content in hard water can irritate the skin, leading to more frequent and severe flare-ups. The residue left on the skin can further aggravate eczema, causing redness, itching, and discomfort. Additionally, the difficulty in rinsing away soap completely can leave behind irritants that penetrate the already sensitive skin of eczema sufferers, leading to increased inflammation and dryness.
So what can be done for dry hands if you live in a hard water area?
Moving house is obviously not the practical solution to dry hands here so the easiest thing to do all-round is to change the type of water you have coming out of your taps.
Here at Aquasoft we have a fantastic range of water softeners that can be installed in your home which will remove the minerals from your hard water, turning it into soft water. Installation is easy and, with a variety of brands and styles to choose from, we have something to suit all homes and budgets.
If you are interested in finding out more about what you can do to get healthy, happy hands, please do give us a call or send us a message and we would be happy to talk you through the Water Softener options available.