Hand Sanitizers Invites Eczema!

Near East University Hospital Skin and Venereal Diseases Department Specialist Dr. Serap Maden made recommendations to protect against the harmful effects of disinfectants, which are used for hand hygiene due to the pandemic and can cause allergic reactions on the skin.

Disinfectants, especially used for hand hygiene, have become an important part of our daily lives with the COVID-19 pandemic. So, how innocent are the disinfectants used to provide hand hygiene? Near East University Hospital Skin and Venereal Diseases Specialist Dr. Serap Maden warns that hand disinfectants invite eczema if they are used frequently. Touching on the importance of personal hygiene habits to protect against the virus that causes COVID-19, Dr. Serap Maden said, “The most important step in protection from COVID-19 is hand cleaning. However, what needs to be done is to wash hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds. Hand disinfectants should be used in environments and situations where hand washing is not possible, until hands are washed.

Excessive use of disinfectants has become the most important cause of hand eczema

Expressing that dryness, redness, scaling, fluid-filled blisters, cracking, itching and wound development on the skin are among the symptoms of eczema. Dr. Serap Maden pointed out that this risk increases due to the decrease in the moisture content of the skin in cold weather. Stating that hand eczema is more common in individuals prone to allergies, Dr. Dr. Serap Maden informed that frequent contact with water, use of soap, detergent, bleach, plastic gloves, chemicals and some cosmetic products trigger hand eczema. exp. Dr. Serap Maden said that excessive use of disinfectants has become the most important cause of hand eczema today.

The use of alcohol-containing disinfectants causes deterioration of skin integrity and increased sensitivity to allergic substances. This can lead to hand eczema. He emphasizes that when buying disinfectants that have a protective effect against viruses and contain high percentage (70% and more) alcohol, products with known effectiveness, approved and moisturizing properties should be preferred.

Eczema prevention tips

Wash your hands with warm, not too hot or cold water. When washing your hands, choose soaps with moisturizing ingredients that will not irritate the skin. Using bar soap instead of liquid soap will reduce the risk of eczema. Remove your jewelry when washing your hands, as the moisture under the jewelry increases the risk of eczema. After washing your hands, dry them immediately and moisturize them with a moisturizing cream. Choose perfume-free and paraben-free products when choosing a moisturizer.”