RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 What You Need to Know About Hand Hygiene and Dermatitis During the Coronavirus Pandemic
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 888
OP 890
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2021.05.200648
VO 34
IS 5
A1 Arthur S. Nguyen
A1 Brian V. Thielen
A1 Paul L. Bigliardi
A1 Ronda S. Farah
YR 2021
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/34/5/888.abstract
AB Increased attention towards infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to light the dermatological consequences of intensified hand hygiene measures. Healthcare workers are inherently at an increased risk of developing both allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Individuals with a history of atopy are especially vulnerable given their impaired native skin barriers and increased sensitivities at baseline. Examination gloves not only induce contact allergies from manufacturing chemicals, but also serve as an occlusive catalyst for facilitating contact sensitization and irritant dermatitis. Similarly, handwashing practices with soap and alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) undermine the natural skin barriers with increasing frequency of use. We highlight clinical pearls for the frontline healthcare worker experiencing COVID-19 surges and offer practical measures to minimize the development of hand-based dermatitis.