02 September 2020 02 Sep 2020

COVID-19 and hand hygiene: the vital importance of hand drying

Residual moisture on the hands and the amount of time hands are wet or exposed to wetness, are factors of importance in terms of hand hygiene and infection prevention. Water exposure can cause swelling and shrinking of the stratum corneum and can lead to hand dermatitis. The nature of clinical practice means that the hands of healthcare staff are frequently exposed to wetness, often referred to as wet work, increasing the risk of skin irritation and microbial transmission.