The impact of hand sanitizing gel on the skin.
With the COVID-19 epidemic came indications from the WHO and other health organizations to wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Where handwashing was impossible, people turned to antimicrobial hand gels with a high content of isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. As a result of this trend, however, many people now suffer from red, sensitive and dry hands.
What are the consequences of using sanitizing gel?
Covid-19 first spread over the winter months when the skin of the hands is already dry. This, coupled with the increased use of sanitizing gel, meant that many developed dermatitis. Mild dermatitis is characterized by dry, red skin, while severe dermatitis often causes fissures, micro cuts and cracks especially on, or near finger joints. Dryness, redness and fissures on the hands expose the skin to many bacterial colonies making the individual more prone to infection, including from Coronavirus itself.
What to do about alcohol gel dermatitis?
Treatment:
- Before sleeping, apply one or two dots of Extreme Emollient Ointment and massage well until fully absorbed.
Extreme Emollient Ointment will be slightly greasy when first applied, but this sensation will disappear when fully massaged into the skin. The ointment richly moisturizes but does not penetrate the skin, allowing the rapid resolution of dryness and redness. Extreme Emollient Ointment also helps to close any fissures, allowing normal handwashing or application of hand gels to quickly resume.
Skin dryness is not caused by a lack of water. Instead, it is caused by poor water retention in the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of skin and the one in constant contact with the external environment. To eliminate dry skin, apply Extreme Emollient Ointment, which draws water from the deeper layers of the skin up to the stratum corneum, helping to repair its softness and elasticity.
