Abstract

EFFECT OF HAND HYGIENE PRACTICE ON DERMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS-A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Mohammed Safeer* and Hisana Moosa

ABSTRACT

Background: Hand hygiene practices has become more popular than ever, in large part due to its effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizer, hand wash and other hand hygiene techniques have proven itself useful in killing germs, but using these techniques can have side effects. Overuse of these methods can lead to dry, cracked skin as well as redness or discoloration, and flaking. It can also pose a risk if it‟s ingested or gets into your eyes. Skin disease is one of the most common human illnesses worldwide, affecting up to 70% of people. Objectives: To cover the effect of hand hygiene practice on dermatological conditions & skin reactions. Methodology: A systemic comprehensive search using various databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Elsevier Science Direct and Newsletters. It was performed using keywords related to our topic Effect of Hand Hygiene Practice on Dermatological Conditions. Relevant articles, Newsletters with characteristic epidemiological data were used for systematic review and were analyzed. Result: Hand hygiene practices increase the contact with irritants and allergens which leads to the risk of skin and other diseases. Frequent use of Hand hygiene agents can cause skin irritation, or dry out of the skin. The commonly observed side effects of Hand sanitizers and other hand hygiene techniques are Dry / Broken skin, Trigger eczema breakout, Impact on hormones, Contribute to antibiotic resistance, Harmful if swallowed, Cause blindness or damage vision if exposed into eyes Kidney or Liver damages, Central nervous system effects, Cardiac reaction, Respiratory conditions like Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), Asthma, Lightheadedness etc. Conclusion: Hand Hygiene is a general term that applies to either handwashing, antiseptic hand-wash, antiseptic hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis. Hand hygiene practices increase the contact with irritants and allergens which leads to various skin conditions and other diseases.

Keywords: Hand hygiene, Skin reactions, Dermatological conditions, Side effects.