Coronavirus Hand Care

Expert Advice From Dr Ross Perry

COVID-19 advice means frequent hand washing. Dr Ross Perry shares advice to help people suffering from dry, sensitive or irritated skin.

Dr Ross Perry’s handwashing tips are designed to help retain moisture in the skin and reduce inflammation, which are a particular problem for clients prone to dryness and irritation:

“If you have eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis or a skin condition that makes your skin (particularly on your hands) prone to dry and cracking, then I’m just going to give you a few tips on how to look after your skin.

“Particularly in this current climate, we’re washing our hands a lot more frequently, which is very important.”

Video: Hand Washing Advice For Sensitive Skin

Dr Ross Perry

“”In terms of looking after your skin, it is important that you use a moisturiser, so if you’re finding the soaps or the gels, the alcohol gels, are becoming irritant, then it would be worth using a soap substitute instead. Often the commonest one that we tend to use in people who suffer with eczema or psoriasis is one called Dermol. It works very well in terms it’s a good moisturiser but it also has an anti-microbial capacity to it as well. So that would be the simple basic thing that you can do is switch out your hand gels for this instead and wash with this.

“If you’re finding that you’re still not getting relief from that, then the next step would probably be introducing a barrier cream, so what we call an ‘occlusive moisturiser’. So something like Epaderm ointment which again you can get from the chemist. This is often a greasy, thick ointment that goes onto the area and really acts like a barrier cream. The fact that we’re staying at home for longer periods of time now means that you are able to wear it and put it on – probably at night is still going to be the preferred time to apply it. Again, these are add-ons to your normal daily routine.

“If you find that beyond these two creams or just constant moisturising that the irritation is getting too much, then certainly a hydrocortisone cream, certainly morning and evening, and use it regularly. Often we advise that patients use any medicated creams for at least a week beyond resolution of the symptoms themselves, otherwise you tend to get a rebound effect.

“If you’re finding that the hydrocortisone cream hasn’t worked after a week or so, then certainly there’s no harm in asking the chemist for something called Eumovate cream. This is slightly stronger, again still a mild steroid cream, that again can help with outbreaks of dermatitis and eczema.

“Again, I would use that for at least a week or two, to make sure symptoms are calmed down, before going back to using moisturisers.

“Again, this is something that you can take or go with depending on how the severity of the symptoms are.”

Dr Ross Perry

Ross qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.

He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts, skin tags) and specialises in same day skin surgery procedures. He can provide expert advice on a host of skin problems and dermatology issues.

He also offers natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections (BOTOX® Anti-Wrinkle Injections and dermal fillers).

DR ROSS PERRY

skin treatments

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.