Proper hand hygiene important to reduce COVID-19 transmission, protect skin barrier

Proper hand hygiene is essential to reduce COVID-19 transmission and preserve skin barrier integrity, according to a review published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in worldwide hand hygiene and hand cleansing awareness. Hand hygiene is a widely accepted principle in the prevention of disease transmission,” Chandler W. Rundle, MD, of the department of dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and colleagues wrote. “Hand hygiene products are available in various forms: liquid or bar soaps, synthetic detergents, antiseptic handwashes and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Although each formulation may be effective against COVID-19, they may alter skin barrier integrity and function, increasing the risk of hand dermatitis.”

Experts from the American Contact Dermatitis Society recommended the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with moisturizers due to decreased sensitizing and irritancy potential compared with soaps and detergents.

To prevent hand dermatitis, the experts suggested avoiding products with common allergens, using products with added moisturizers and applying moisturizers after hand washing or before glove use.

“To mitigate the expected rise in dermatitis from repetitive hand washing in response to COVID-19, good hand hygiene techniques are imperative,” Rundle and colleagues wrote. “The CDC recommends that individuals wash their hands with soap and lukewarm water for at least 20 seconds. Special attention is required to equally wash all areas of the hand.”