| Peer-Reviewed

Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Received: 26 April 2023    Accepted: 9 June 2023    Published: 27 June 2023
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Background: With the COVID–19 global pandemic and rising figures of infection in all regions of the world; the awareness of, and for hand hygiene is unprecedented. Frequent hand hygiene exposes the skin to changes in skin physiology which cause dryness and irritation. This study, therefore, aims to assess and document the dermatological effects that may emanate from this preventive measure. Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 502 adults (18 years and over) resident in Lagos State. Data was collected through a survey using a pretested, google forms platform questionnaire, and analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS statistical software. The level of significance was predetermined at p<0.05. Results: On the whole, over half (55.6%) of the respondents had good hand hygiene practices for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. A prior skin disorder diagnosed by a doctor, pre-COVID-19 was found in 3.4% of respondents and 33.3% of them had their conditions worsened with COVID-19. Also, 18.3% of the respondents noticed adverse effects on the skin since the start of practicing hand hygiene more frequently since COVID-19. However, the respondents’ level of hand hygiene did not show a statistically significant association with the presence of worsening dermatological conditions (p=0.638). Conclusion: The study showed that about half of the respondents practiced good hand hygiene and a few of them reported dermatological changes since the start of practicing hand hygiene for the prevention of COVID-19. In these times, it is very important to adapt our hand-washing habits to ensure protection against the spread of COVID-19, while advocating for measures to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12
Page(s) 37-43
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Hand-Hygiene, Dermatological Changes, Skin, COVID-19, Nigeria

References
[1] WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: a Summary First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care is Safer Care. 2009.
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/hand-hygiene.html accessed?
[3] Visscher MO, Randall Wickett R. Hand hygiene compliance and irritant dermatitis: a juxtaposition of healthcare issues. Int J Cosmet Sci [Internet]. 2012 Oct [cited 2020 May 10]; 34 (5): 402–15. Available from: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00733.x
[4] Beiu C, Mihai M, Popa L, et al. (April 02, 2020) Frequent Hand Washing for COVID-19 Prevention Can Cause Hand Dermatitis: Management Tips. Cureus 12 (4): e7506. DOI 10.7759/cureus.7506.
[5] Schmid-Wendtner, M. H. and Korting, H. C. The pH of the skin surface and its impact on the barrier function. Skin Pharmacol. Physiol. 19, 296–302 (2006).
[6] Rippke, F., Schreiner, V. and Schwanitz, H. J. The acidic milieu of the horny layer: new findings on the physiology and pathophysiology of skin pH. Am. J. Clin. Dermatol. 3, 261–272 (2002).
[7] Rawlings, A. V. and Harding, C. R. Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatol. Ther. 17 (Suppl. 1), 43–48 (2004).
[8] Robinson, M., Visscher, M., Laruffa, A. and Wickett, R. Natural moisturizing factors (NMF) in the stratum corneum (SC) II. Regeneration of NMF over time after soaking. J. Cosmet. Sci. 61, 23–29 (2010).
[9] Kampf G and Ennen J. Regular use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by frequent handwashing. BMC Dermatology 2006; 6: 1 doi: I0.II86/I 47 I-5945-6-I.
[10] Callahan A, Baron E, Fekedulegn D, et al. Winter season, frequent hand washing, and irritant patch test reactions to detergents are associated with hand dermatitis in health care workers. Dermatitis: Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug. 2013 Jul-Aug; 24 (4): 170-175. DOI: 10.1097/DER.0b013e318290c57f.
[11] Forrester BG, Roth VS. Hand dermatitis in intensive care units. J Occup Environ Med. 1998; 40 (10): 881–885. [PubMed: 9800173].
[12] Larson E, et al. Prevalence and correlates of skin damage on the hands of nurses. Heart Lung. 1997; 26 (5): 404–412. [PubMed: 9315469].
[13] Ozyazicioglu N, Surenler S, Tanriverdi G. Hand dermatitis among paediatric nurses. J Clin Nurs. 2010; 19 (11–12): 1597–1603. [PubMed: 20579200].
[14] Boyce, J. M. and Pittet, D. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HIPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Am. J. Infect. Control 30, S1–S46 (2002).
[15] National Population Commission of Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics. Lagos State in Nigeria Available at: https://www.citypopulation.de/php/nigeria-admin.php?adm1id=NGA025 (Last accessed: April 20 2020).
[16] Ogwezzy-Ndisika A, Solomon T. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hand Washing among Mothers of Children 0-59 Months of Age in Lagos Nigeria. Universal Journal of Public Health. 2019; 7 (2): 52-58 DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2019.070202.
[17] Assefa D, elaku T, Bayisa B, Alemu S. Knowledge, Attitude and Self-Reported Performance and Challenges of Hand Hygiene Using Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Among Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. Infect Drug Resist. 2021; 14: 303-313 https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S291690
[18] Nader M. Elsayed Marei, Mohamed Tharwat Salama, & Mohammed Ali Habibullah. (2020). Knowledge, attitude and practice of hand hygiene among dentists as a prevention method from COVID-19 in Al Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabis: A Cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medical Science And Diagnosis Research 4 (9). https://doi.org/10.32553/ijmsdr.v4i9.672
[19] Otrofanowei E, Ayanlowo OO, Akinkugbe A, Oresanya FA. (2008) Clinico-etiologic profile of hand dermatitis and patch response of patients at a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria; results of a prospective observational study. International Journal of Dermatology. 57 (2): 149-55.
[20] Widmer AF: Replace hand washing with use of a waterless alcohol hand rub?. Clin Infect Dis. 2000, 31: 136-143.
[21] Voller LM, JP Schlarbaum, SA Hylwa: Allergenic ingredients in Health Care Sanitizers in the United States. Dermatitis 2021 May 01; (3) 151-159.
[22] Ibler KS, Jemec GBE, Flyvholm M-A, Diepgen TL, Jensen A, Agner T. Hand eczema: prevalence and risk factors of hand eczema in a population of 2274 healthcare workers. Contact Dermatitis. 2012; 67: 200-207.
[23] Leelawadee Techasatian et al. Hand Hygiene Habits and Prevalence of Hand Eczema During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.
[24] Khosrowpour Z, Ahmad Nasrollahi S, Ayatollahi A, Samadi A, Firooz A: Effects of four soaps on skin transepidermal water loss and erythema index. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019, 18: 857-861.
[25] Brandt S, Meckfessel MH, Lio PA. Tolerability and cosmetic acceptability of a body wash in atopic dermatitis-prone subjects. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25226012/ J Drugs Dermatol. 2014; 13: 1108–1111. [PubMed].
[26] Agarwal, U.S., Besarwal, R. K., Gupta, R., Agarwal, P., & Napalia, S. (2014). Hand eczema. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 59 (3), 213-224. https://doiorg/10.4103/0019-5154.131372
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Bolaji Otike-Odibi, Akinkugbe Ayesha Omolara, Otrofanowei Erere, Kanma-Okafor Oluchi Joan, Egwuonwu Chinenye. (2023). Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 11(3), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Bolaji Otike-Odibi; Akinkugbe Ayesha Omolara; Otrofanowei Erere; Kanma-Okafor Oluchi Joan; Egwuonwu Chinenye. Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2023, 11(3), 37-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Bolaji Otike-Odibi, Akinkugbe Ayesha Omolara, Otrofanowei Erere, Kanma-Okafor Oluchi Joan, Egwuonwu Chinenye. Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Eur J Prev Med. 2023;11(3):37-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12,
      author = {Bolaji Otike-Odibi and Akinkugbe Ayesha Omolara and Otrofanowei Erere and Kanma-Okafor Oluchi Joan and Egwuonwu Chinenye},
      title = {Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {11},
      number = {3},
      pages = {37-43},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20231103.12},
      abstract = {Background: With the COVID–19 global pandemic and rising figures of infection in all regions of the world; the awareness of, and for hand hygiene is unprecedented. Frequent hand hygiene exposes the skin to changes in skin physiology which cause dryness and irritation. This study, therefore, aims to assess and document the dermatological effects that may emanate from this preventive measure. Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 502 adults (18 years and over) resident in Lagos State. Data was collected through a survey using a pretested, google forms platform questionnaire, and analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS statistical software. The level of significance was predetermined at pResults: On the whole, over half (55.6%) of the respondents had good hand hygiene practices for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. A prior skin disorder diagnosed by a doctor, pre-COVID-19 was found in 3.4% of respondents and 33.3% of them had their conditions worsened with COVID-19. Also, 18.3% of the respondents noticed adverse effects on the skin since the start of practicing hand hygiene more frequently since COVID-19. However, the respondents’ level of hand hygiene did not show a statistically significant association with the presence of worsening dermatological conditions (p=0.638). Conclusion: The study showed that about half of the respondents practiced good hand hygiene and a few of them reported dermatological changes since the start of practicing hand hygiene for the prevention of COVID-19. In these times, it is very important to adapt our hand-washing habits to ensure protection against the spread of COVID-19, while advocating for measures to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Dermatological Changes from Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adults in Lagos, Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    AU  - Bolaji Otike-Odibi
    AU  - Akinkugbe Ayesha Omolara
    AU  - Otrofanowei Erere
    AU  - Kanma-Okafor Oluchi Joan
    AU  - Egwuonwu Chinenye
    Y1  - 2023/06/27
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12
    T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    SP  - 37
    EP  - 43
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8230
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20231103.12
    AB  - Background: With the COVID–19 global pandemic and rising figures of infection in all regions of the world; the awareness of, and for hand hygiene is unprecedented. Frequent hand hygiene exposes the skin to changes in skin physiology which cause dryness and irritation. This study, therefore, aims to assess and document the dermatological effects that may emanate from this preventive measure. Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 502 adults (18 years and over) resident in Lagos State. Data was collected through a survey using a pretested, google forms platform questionnaire, and analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS statistical software. The level of significance was predetermined at pResults: On the whole, over half (55.6%) of the respondents had good hand hygiene practices for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. A prior skin disorder diagnosed by a doctor, pre-COVID-19 was found in 3.4% of respondents and 33.3% of them had their conditions worsened with COVID-19. Also, 18.3% of the respondents noticed adverse effects on the skin since the start of practicing hand hygiene more frequently since COVID-19. However, the respondents’ level of hand hygiene did not show a statistically significant association with the presence of worsening dermatological conditions (p=0.638). Conclusion: The study showed that about half of the respondents practiced good hand hygiene and a few of them reported dermatological changes since the start of practicing hand hygiene for the prevention of COVID-19. In these times, it is very important to adapt our hand-washing habits to ensure protection against the spread of COVID-19, while advocating for measures to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

  • Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • Sections