NCT04525521

Hand Sanitizer Effects on the Skin Barrier

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National Jewish Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers are important interventions in disease prevention. Engaging in frequent hand washing is especially effective in preventing the spread of viruses, as this removes microbes and prevents the spread to others. Hand dermatitis, however, is a common occurrence in certain occupations, such as healthcare workers. With the onset of the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic, hand hygiene measures are further enforced as there is no cure or vaccine for this virus. In the study, the effects of hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer on skin proteins and lipids will be assessed.

Detailed description

Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers are important interventions in disease prevention. Engaging in frequent hand washing is especially effective in preventing the spread of viruses, as this removes microbes and prevents the spread to others. Hand dermatitis, however, is a common occurrence in certain occupations, such as healthcare workers. With the onset of the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic, hand hygiene measures are further enforced as there is no cure or vaccine for this virus. The stratum corneum is in the outer layer of the epidermis, and it contains several proteins and lipids that are important for skin health. This skin layer can be disrupted by agents that cause skin dryness and irritation, resulting in a dysfunctional skin barrier when there is loss of filaggrin breakdown products, also referred to as natural moisturizing factor (NMF), and lipids. This then leads to the unwanted dermatologic effects of skin dermatitis, and in some patients, contact dermatitis. While it is known that frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use causes hand dermatitis, the effects on skin barrier proteins and lipids has not been studied. In this study, the effects of hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer on epidermal proteins and lipids will be assessed. The skin barrier will be examined with skin tape strips (STS) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) before and after topical skin exposure to hand sanitizer use and hand washing. Questionnaires will be administered to inquire about allergy history, frequency of hand washing, and use of detergents and soaps.

Conditions

• Dermatitis Hand
• Skin Abnormalities
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Atopic Dermatitis Eczema

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Hand sanitizer and hand washing	All subjects will cleanse their hands with hand sanitizer, followed by hand washing with soap and water

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-12-01
• Primary completion: 2021-08-20
• Completion: 2021-08-20
• First posted: 2020-08-25
• Last updated: 2021-03-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States