title: Handwashing and skin. Physiologic and bacteriologic aspects.
abstract: Handwashing practices are often based on tradition and belief. To develop sound rationale for handwashing practices, the physiologic and bacteriologic effects of handwashing must be examined. The purposes of this article are to review the three major microenvironments of the skin with their bacterial flora, to discuss physiologic and bacteriologic characteristics of the skin with particular reference to handwashing, and to describe current handwashing recommendations and practices.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004202:Disinfectants; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D012915:Soaps; D013542:Sweat / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004202:Disinfectants; D012915:Soaps