Contact Dermatitis from Hand Hygiene Practices in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Ann Acad Med Singap
; 49(9): 674-676, 2020 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-973006
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread globally at a staggering speed. At present, there is no effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Hand disinfection is a cost-effective way to prevent its transmission. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we should wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) with at least 60% alcohol are the alternative. With diligent hand disinfection reinforced during COVID-19, there is an increased prevalence of contact dermatitis. This commentary highlights the fact that contact dermatitis is a readily treatable condition and should not cause any deviation of proper hand hygiene. In irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), the management strategies are selection of less irritating hand hygiene products, frequent use of moisturisers to rebuild the skin barrier, and education on proper hand hygiene practices. In allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), the identification and avoidance of the contact allergen is the key to treatment. However, ACD is less common and only accounts for 20% of the cases. The identified allergens in hand cleansers are predominantly preservative excipients and ACD attributable to ABHR are very uncommon. Alcohol-free hand rubs are widely available on the market but it is not a recommended alternative to ABHRs by the CDC.
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Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hand Disinfection
/
Dermatitis, Irritant
/
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
/
Emollients
/
Hygroscopic Agents
/
COVID-19
/
Hand Dermatoses
Type of study:
Observational study
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Ann Acad Med Singap
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Singapore
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