Our hand hygiene routine has changed in the past months. Workers, pupils, students and even the youngest among us wash and sanitisetheir hands more often. All of them are making an important contribution to controlling the pandemic. However, if done wrong, they could be putting their skin under enormous strain. We have some important tips for your skin health.
Common myths about hand hygiene
Talking about hand health and hand hygiene, there are some widespread myths that can lead to poor hygiene routines. Let's get rid of these in the first step.
#1 Soap and water is gentler on my skin.
That’s wrong. Over-use of soap and water causes damage to the outermost layer of the skin by dissolving lipids that help retain the skin’s moisture, leading to dry, flaky skin. With each soap and water use, the problem worsens. Eventually, nerves in the skin become exposed, and when hand sanitisers are applied, there is stinging and burning. Because of this, people think that the sanitisers are causing damage, and continue soap and water use, creating a cycle of skin damage that is difficult to interrupt.
#2 Hand sanitisers damage the skin.
That’s wrong, too. Hand sanitisers have very little impact on the skin. They can cause stinging and burning when hands are already damaged, usually from over-use of soap and water. Imagine applying sanitisers to your hand when you have a paper cut. The sanitiser burns, but it did not cause the paper cut.
#3 Soap and water work better than hand sanitisers
International hand hygiene guidelines recommend using hand sanitisers as the preferred means of cleaning hands. They have been very well-studied and have superior efficacy over soap and water (even antimicrobial soap). In addition, hand sanitisers have many other benefits like speed of use, convenience, and skin health.
#4 After every 3 to 5 uses of a hand sanitiser, I should wash my hand
This is not necessary. When hand sanitisers were first introduced to the market, manufacturers recommended washing after every 3-5 uses to remove a build-up of gelling agents. However, formulations have evolved and this is no longer recommended.
When to use a hand sanitiser and when to use water and soaps
Water and soap should be used in the following situations:
- When hands are visibly dirty or soiled
- Before and after the meal
- After using the toilet
You can use a hand sanitisers in these situations:
- When the hands are not visibly dirty
- After touching potentially contaminated surfaces or persons
- Whenever water and soap are not nearby
What to do in case of skin damage?
In addition to the right hand cleaning routine, it is important for good hand health to know the warning signals for skin damage and to react early to them. Damaged skin is not only unpleasant but can also be dangerous. Harmful germs can easily penetrate the body through cracks in the skin and cause illness.
It is therefore essential to pay attention to the following warning signals:
- Dryness
- Flakey skin
- Itching
- A tight feeling
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bubble formation
- Bleeding
- Cracks
- Difficulty in clenching your hands into a fist
In less severe cases you should sanitise your hands more often and wash them less with soap and water. In addition, always use a skin-soothing lotion. In severe cases, it is advisable to see a doctor. Remember: optimal skin health is your best defence against germs.
Stay healthy!
