ALL THIS HAND WASHING! As an Allied Health Professional working daily with vulnerable adults with complex needs, I want to remind everyone about a rarely mentioned infection control measure – maintaining skin health and integrity.

Never before have we used so much soap and sanitising gel. And I’m sure most of us, especially those who work with vulnerable people, are suffering with dry, cracked skin on our hands. It’s painful and unsightly, but more importantly, those small cracks and bits of dryness on the fronts and backs of hands and around cuticles stubbornly harbour microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, staphylococci, and other potential pathogens, even after washing. This phenomenon is easily evidenced by use of a black light, which highlights collection of bacteria between fingers, around the nails, in the creases of knuckles and in the lines of dry or cracked skin. The problem is these microorganisms can be introduced into the environment (or another person) during the skin’s natural exfoliation process.

In her article, Hand Hygiene and Infection Control: Skin Care Supports Patient Care, Deborah Davis writes, “Damaged skin may harbor increased numbers of pathogens and often sheds higher numbers of organisms. Additionally, washing damaged skin is less effective at reducing bacteria than washing normal skin…There is even biological evidence to support the idea that using emollients on the skin of clinicians may protect against cross-infection.”

So, an important second step in hand hygiene is using moisturising and barrier creams each time you wash your hands. Healthy skin, with its own natural barrier to bacteria and pathogens is easier to clean and by keeping your skin to yourself, you will help reduce risk of cross-contamination.