Hand hygiene products damage the skin by causing
denaturation of stratum corneum proteins, changes in intercellular lipids,
decreased corneocyte cohesion, and decreased stratum corneum water-binding
capacity.
Among these, the main concern is the depletion of the
lipid barrier that may be consequent to contact with lipid-emulsifying
detergents and lipid-dissolving alcohols. Frequent hand-washing leads to
progressive depletion of surface lipids with resulting deeper action of
detergents into the superficial skin layers.
Damage to the skin also changes skin flora, resulting
in more frequent colonization by staphylococci and Gram-negative bacilli.
Although alcohols are safer than detergents, they can
cause dryness and skin irritation. The lipid-dissolving effect of alcohols is
inversely related to their concentration, and ethanol tends to be less
irritating than n-propanol or isopropanol.
Other antiseptic agents that may cause irritant
contact dermatitis, in order of decreasing frequency, include chlorhexidine,
chloroxylenol, triclosan, and alcohol-based products.
Skin that is damaged by repeated exposure to
detergents may be more susceptible to irritation by all types of hand
antisepsis formulations, including alcohol-based preparations.
So what are the alternatives?
Ebiox
Esense Antimicrobial Hand Sanitising Foam Rub.
Ebiox
Esense Antimicrobial Hand Cream.
