Red rash from "washing and drying hands too often".. just wondering what could be done to fix this problem from happening in the future. change soaps?

Wash less.: A milder soap will help, but the most effective treatment is to use less soap and water. Wear gloves whenever possible, to avoid getting your hands dirty in the first place, and use a waterless hand cleanser (many brands available in any drugstore) instead of washing. If that doesn't solve the problem, see a dermatologist for more aggressive treatment.