Does frequent hand washing for COVID-19 prevention increase the risk of atopic dermatitis?
Hand hygiene procedures are pivotal to prevent self-infection and virus spreading. However, extensive water contact enhances dry skin, disturbs the commensal microbiota and leads to barrier disruption in healthy individuals. Moreover, it exacerbates diseases with an intrinsic barrier defect such as atopic dermatitis.148,149 Effective skin-care after hand hygiene is therefore essential to prevent barrier disruption and sensitization events. Here, emollients containing hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, ceramide or urea are recommended.150