title: Cleansing of hands with emulsion--a solution to skin problems of hospital staff?
abstract: In this study of hand cleansing, nursing staff with skin problems used emulsion followed by rinsing with water, while control groups, with or without skin problems, used liquid soap and water. Clinical evaluation of the without skin problems, used liquid soap and water. Clinical evaluation of the skin by a dermatologist, as well as by self-assessment, suggested that when the staff with skin problems used emulsion their skin was in better condition than that of controls with similar skin problems. This favourable effect on skin was later confirmed in extended use of emulsion for hand cleansing in other hospital wards. Objective evaluation of skin condition with biophysical measurements was unsuccessful. Emulsion cleansing of the hands seems to offer a favourable alternative to washing with soap and water, especially for persons with skin problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Institute of Occupational Health, Vantaa, Finland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kolari
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ojajärvi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lauharanta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004655:Emulsions; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D012915:Soaps; D013501:Surface-Active Agents