Relief for sore hands as mild cleansers found to kill many viruses
Posted 16 June 2023 - 05:00
Researchers find skin-friendly cleansers and natural soaps can stop the spread of viruses such as coronavirus and influenza, while protecting nurses’ hands and preventing skin infections
If your hands are constantly sore and cracked from using harsh soaps at work, it might come as a relief to know that gentle cleansers are just as effective at killing germs.
A study from the University of Sheffield (UoS) found that skin-friendly cleansers and natural soaps can kill enveloped viruses, such as coronavirus, just as successfully as harsh soaps.
Many nurses have reported that hand hygiene requirements have left them with painful hands and skin infections. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that nurses and doctors experience contact dermatitis at more than four times the rate of workers in other sectors.
Study recommends use of milder cleansers
Researchers from the UoS dermatology research group tested multiple handwash products as part of the study, including antibacterial and natural soaps, foam cleansers and bath wash products.
The team investigated the products’ ability to kill enveloped viruses, such as coronavirus and influenza, and non-enveloped viruses, including norovirus and adenovirus.
While milder cleansers were effective in killing enveloped viruses, researchers found viruses such as norovirus and adenovirus could only be killed with bleach disinfectants, meaning even harsh soaps were ineffective. In short, nurses are just as safe washing their hands with milder cleansers to protect their skin.
- RELATED: Hand hygiene needn’t mean sore skin
Bleach-based handwashes for norovirus ‘not a feasible option’
Co-author of the study Natalie Winder said the findings showed that although good hand hygiene practices were important in preventing the spread of many viruses, they were ‘insufficient’ at controlling norovirus.
‘Bleach was the only agent which affected the virus. However, bleach-based handwashes are not a feasible option due to bleach’s corrosivity, which would be extremely harmful to the skin,’ she said.
Ms Winder added that more research was needed on whether heavily diluted bleach-based handwashes, which are safe to use on the skin, can be produced.
Researchers discuss contact dermatitis
Lead author of the study Munitta Muthana said cases of contact dermatitis among healthcare professionals had increased from 20% to 80% during the COVID-19 pandemic, when washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds was a fundamental procedure to help stop the spread.
‘For healthcare professionals, who can wash their hands as many as 100 times during a 12-hour shift, this may cause unintended adverse effects,’ she added.
Ms Muthana said the condition can significantly affect workers’ ability to do their jobs, with inflamed, blistered and cracked skin also increasing the spread of bacteria and viruses.
In other news