Dry scaly or cracked hands, eczema, itching. Hospital employees have long faced these issues. But now, the symptoms are also on the rise in other businesses and industries. Because we all wash and sanitise our hands over and over again. If cracks or redness appear at some point, many users suspect hand sanitisers cause these symptoms. But studies have shown that this is not true.
Claring up suspicions about sanitisers
Hand sanitisers are often suspected of drying out the skin. Though this may be true of some products with extremely high alcohol contents, well-formulated products like PURELL® sanitisers nourish the skin and provide it with additional moisture. As well as alcohol, the active ingredient, they are enriched with agents that help maintain the skin's balance and health.
This way, cracks, dry spots or painful inflammations don't stand a chance, as an American study was able to prove. Here, the effectiveness of PURELL hand sanitisers was tested in environments where occupational dermatitis frequently occurs.
Study results are clear
Scientists compared the change in skin appearance of two groups. One group used PURELL hand sanitisers for 14 days. The second used a hand sanitiser without moisturising substances.
The results were clear: the skin of those in the first group (who used PURELL hand sanitisers) showed visible improvements whereas the skin condition in the second control group worsened. The researchers came to the conclusion that hand sanitisers containing only alcohol dry out the skin too much.
Why formulation matters
So when choosing a hand sanitiser, it is all about the right formula. Balanced hand sanitisers do not dry out the skin even with intensive use. At the same time all PURELL products are effective against 99.9 percent of the most harmful germs. Recent tests have also proven the effectiveness against the coronavirus, according to EN14476[1].
The next thing to be sure about: Our hand sanitisers are suitable for all professional environments. In today’s climate more than ever, hand hygiene must be taken seriously in all businesses. For offices, for example, you can use pump bottles and antibacterial hygiene wipes. Employers place this "kit" on desks, in the lobby or in meeting rooms and give their employees the opportunity for quick, effective and regular hand hygiene at any time and place.
Hand disinfection in all professional environments
Another thing that might be interesting for you in this context: A second study entitled "Impact of a Comprehensive Workplace Hand Hygiene Program" was able to prove how effective the regular use of hand disinfectants in different workplaces is. In this study, scientists from the Medical Mutual of Ohio investigated whether a hygiene programme in companies could have a cost-saving effects because of reducing absenteeism due to illness.
And yes: the absenteeism of the approximately 1,300 employees who participated in the study could be reduced by more than 13 percent thanks to regular hand hygiene. Isn't this a strong argument for an increased usage of hand sanitising gels in working life?
Stay healthy!
[1] Effective against Coronavirus (BCoV) according to EN14476 in 30 seconds