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Research highlights the impact of stringent hand hygiene on skin health
24th of May 2021
Skin irritation and dryness are the main barriers to consistent hand hygiene practices, according to new research.
A study carried out in India has revealed a dramatic rise in hand dermatitis - particularly among healthcare workers - since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers at India's Father Muller Medical College recently analysed the skin barrier function of 582 people, half of them healthcare professionals and the rest being healthy individuals from the general population. A prior history of hand dermatitis had been reported by three per cent of the healthcare workers and 2.4 per cent of the others taking part in the trial.
The study revealed that hand dermatitis was now present among 92.6 per cent of healthcare professionals and 68.7 per cent of the general population, with skin conditions generally being associated with high hand washing frequency and the repeated use of alcohol-based hand rubs.
Both the healthcare workers and the other participants cited skin irritation and dryness as the main barriers to consistent hand hygiene practices.
The results of the study were presented at European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology's 2021 Spring Symposium which took place online at the beginning of May.
Marie-Aleth Richard, EADV board member and professor at the University Hospital of La Timone, Marseille, said: "This research shows there is now a skin disease epidemic within the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is promising to see this problem being recognised, and I am excited to see how the dermatology community goes about finding potential solutions to this issue."
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