Hand hygiene is considered a crucial factor in the fight against Coronavirus. However, dermatologists increasingly advise against washing hands too frequently and recommend the use of hand sanitisers instead. The reason: more and more people suffering from eczema on the hands.
Hand hygiene has become even more important since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic
To protect ourselves and others, we all wash our hands more frequently and more intensively. However, the intensified hand hygiene carries a certain health risk. Frequent hand washing can lead to hand eczema, as the spokesman of the German Dermatological Society (DDG), Peter Elsner from the University Hospital in Jena, recently warned.
It is no secret that according to dermatologists and clinics, the number of patients with eczema on their hands has increased immensely since the outbreak of the pandemic. Medical staff are the most commonly affected.
How to identify hand eczema
In medical facilities many employees complain about the classic symptoms of hand eczema:
- dryness
- redness
- itching
- burning
- flaky skin
- cracks
Of course, such skin condition can also occur in other work environments where employees have to wash their hands frequently. In kindergartens for example, in schools or in food processing plants.
Hand hygiene: these rules are recommended by experts
Elsner's recommendation: hand washing should be replaced by the use of hand sanitisers from time to time. Elsner says: "For healthy skin, sanitizing is better than using soap." The reason: many soaps destroy the protective barrier of the skin because they dissolve out oils. As a result, the skin becomes cracked and brittle, which makes it easier for germs to get into the body. The results are infections and eczema.
As long as the hands are not visibly soiled, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser should be used. With the products from the PURELL® brand, you know you’re in good hands.The hand hygiene gels are enriched with moisturising and lipid-replenishing substances that help keeping the skin in balance. Even better: you do not have to choose between safety and effectiveness, you get both. In fact, the number one product in the USA contains ingredients that kill 99.99 percent of harmful pathogens. Our products are even proven to be effective against Coronavirus.*
Which sanitiser dispenser is the best?
As experts for hand hygiene solutions, we advise employers to install permanently mounted sanitiser dispensers in all entrance areas and washrooms. These combine many advantages, including being significantly more robust than mobile sanitiser dispensers and are thus much more sustainable because they need to be replaced less often. That can add up to some hefty savings.
PURELL ADX dispensers offer exceptional reliability, easy maintenance, and a design that looks good in any environment. Our high capacity 1200mL PURELL dispenser is ideal for high traffic areas like shops and stores. A large sight window, skylight and crystal-clear refill bottles make it easy to check fill status. PURELL Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub is the perfect product to fill these dispensers, ensuring reliable and carefree hygiene.
Stay healthy!
*Active against Coronavirus (30s) according to EN 14476
