Hand Hygiene and Infection Control: Skin Care Supports Patient Care

Hand-Care Product Usage

Moisturizing with an appropriate, compatible product can help prevent dehydration, damage to barrier properties, excessive skin cell shedding and loss of skin lipids. It can also restore the water-holding capacity of the keratin layer. Several controlled trials demonstrated that regular use of hand lotions or creams helps prevent and treat irritant contact dermatitis. There is even biological evidence to support the idea that using emollients on the skin of clinicians may protect against cross-infection. And numerous articles note that failure to use supplemental hand lotions or creams is a contributing factor to dermatitis associated with frequent handwashing.⁹

Once the skin is damaged, barrier repair can only occur if moisture loss is inhibited. This requires protectants for the skin, in addition to skin restoration and healing.

The “Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings” provides further evidence that addressing skin dermatitis is a critical healthcare issue.¹⁰ In light of this guideline, clinicians — and particularly infection control professionals — have a renewed interest in products that:

Promote and maintain healthy skin

Reduce transepidermal water loss

Increase skin hydration (moisturization)

Have low irritancy potential

Improve overall skin tolerance

The added cost of these products may easily be justified by the increased adherence to handwashing protocols and the impact on clinician and patient health.

Using Gloves and Skin Protectants Effectively

For skin-care products to be most effective, emphasis must be placed on regular, frequent and correct application. And adequate coverage of the hands with emollient is essential to ensure full protection. Trials have demonstrated that application is often poor, and most people do not adequately protect their hands.