Effective handwashing is capable of not only reducing the
pathogenic load on an individual’s hands but also preventing
illness, thereby theoretically reducing significant economic
fallout. The key to harnessing this tool lies in not only practicing
proper technique for the recommended 20 seconds, but also
utilizing appropriate agents to sufficiently decrease the viral load
that individuals may unwittingly carry. Age-old therapeutics
are being researched, refashioned, and recombined into
newer fungicidal, bactericidal, and virucidal agents for use
in our surroundings and on our persons. Pandemic or not,
handwashing has proven time and time again to be a public
health cornerstone for maintaining the well-being of oneself
and of the community.
CONCLUSIONS
A key habit to reduce risk of infection while maintaining healthy
skin must include proper disinfection with safe, gentle, and
effective topical cleaning products that are not only quick and
accessible, but also are safe and carry few, if any, adverse effects.
DISCLOSURES
Dr. Berman is a member of the scientific advisory board –
TopMD. The other authors have no relevant conflicts to declare.
REFERENCES
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2. Najnin N, Leder K, Forbes A, et al. Impact of a large-scale handwashing intervention on reported respiratory illness: findings from a clusterrandomized controlled trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019. doi:10.4269/ ajtmh.18-0644
3. Ma Q-X, Shan H, Zhang H-L et al. 2020. Potential utilities of mask-wearing and instant hand hygiene for fighting SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol. doi:10.1002/ jmv.25805
4. Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing. AAD.org. https://www.aad. org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/coronavirus-handwashing. Accessed July 25, 2020.
5. Pradhan D, Biswasroy P, Kumar Naik P, et al. A review of current interventions for COVID-19 prevention. Arch Med Res. 2020. doi:10.1016/j. arcmed.2020.04.020
6. M, Thibodeau R. Dakin Solution (Sodium Hypochlorite) [Updated 2020 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507916/
7. GM Fair, et al. The dynamics of water chlorination. J N E Water Work Assoc. 1947;61:285–391.
8. GM Fair, et al. The behaviour of chlorine as a water disinfectant. J N E Water Work Assoc. 1948;40:1051–1061.
9. Aronson JK, ed. Sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. In: Meyler’s Side Effects of Drugs (Sixteenth Edition). Elsevier; 2016:418-420.
10. Hon KL, Tsang YC, Lee VW, et al. Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) baths to reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in childhood onset moderate-to-severe eczema: A randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2016; 27(2):156-162. doi:10.3109/09546634.2015. 1067669.
11. Majewski S, Bhattacharya T, Asztalos M, et al. Sodium hypochlorite body wash in the management of Staphylococcus aureus-colonized moderateto- severe atopic dermatitis in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019; 36(4):442-447. doi:10.1111/pde.13842.
12. When and how to wash your hands. Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/ handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. Published July 17, 2020. Accessed July 25, 2020.
13. Biosciences Laboratories Final Report # 2003161-402, June 24, 2010, TopMD Data on File.
14. Gebel J, Exner M, French G, et al. The role of surface disinfection in infection prevention. GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2013;8(1):Doc10. Published 2013 Apr 29. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000210.
15. International chemical safety cards. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard. listCards3. Accessed July 31, 2020.
2. Najnin N, Leder K, Forbes A, et al. Impact of a large-scale handwashing intervention on reported respiratory illness: findings from a clusterrandomized controlled trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019. doi:10.4269/ ajtmh.18-0644
3. Ma Q-X, Shan H, Zhang H-L et al. 2020. Potential utilities of mask-wearing and instant hand hygiene for fighting SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol. doi:10.1002/ jmv.25805
4. Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing. AAD.org. https://www.aad. org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/coronavirus-handwashing. Accessed July 25, 2020.
5. Pradhan D, Biswasroy P, Kumar Naik P, et al. A review of current interventions for COVID-19 prevention. Arch Med Res. 2020. doi:10.1016/j. arcmed.2020.04.020
6. M, Thibodeau R. Dakin Solution (Sodium Hypochlorite) [Updated 2020 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507916/
7. GM Fair, et al. The dynamics of water chlorination. J N E Water Work Assoc. 1947;61:285–391.
8. GM Fair, et al. The behaviour of chlorine as a water disinfectant. J N E Water Work Assoc. 1948;40:1051–1061.
9. Aronson JK, ed. Sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. In: Meyler’s Side Effects of Drugs (Sixteenth Edition). Elsevier; 2016:418-420.
10. Hon KL, Tsang YC, Lee VW, et al. Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) baths to reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in childhood onset moderate-to-severe eczema: A randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2016; 27(2):156-162. doi:10.3109/09546634.2015. 1067669.
11. Majewski S, Bhattacharya T, Asztalos M, et al. Sodium hypochlorite body wash in the management of Staphylococcus aureus-colonized moderateto- severe atopic dermatitis in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019; 36(4):442-447. doi:10.1111/pde.13842.
12. When and how to wash your hands. Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/ handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. Published July 17, 2020. Accessed July 25, 2020.
13. Biosciences Laboratories Final Report # 2003161-402, June 24, 2010, TopMD Data on File.
14. Gebel J, Exner M, French G, et al. The role of surface disinfection in infection prevention. GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2013;8(1):Doc10. Published 2013 Apr 29. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000210.
15. International chemical safety cards. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard. listCards3. Accessed July 31, 2020.
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Brian Berman MD PhD bbmdphd@gmail.com
