Investigation of the Effects of Consumer Market Lotions vs. Professional Grade Lotions in Combination with Alcohol Hand Antiseptics: A Comparative Study of Skin Health Effects and Glove Barrier Integrity

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The routine use of professional grade, hospital-approved lotions and crèmes has been shown to lead to improvement in overall skin health and better hand hygiene compliance, and, it may be argued, may actually help in reducing the potential for colonization of transient bacteria on the hands1. Many consumer lotions, while effective at maintaining skin health, contain high levels of petroleum-based emollients (e.g. petrolatum, mineral oil). These products can affect the barrier properties of gloves, which compromises infection control. Other consumer lotions, while not compromising glove effectiveness, and cosmetically appealing, simply are not effective enough to yield the moisturization required to maintain users' skin health under the frequent washing conditions experienced in health care settings. There is a significant concern of the use of non-approved lotions inhibiting the bactericidal properties of cationic antimicrobial hand soaps (e.g. Chlorhexidine Gluconate)2. Use of non-approved, consumer level lotions has also been linked to the possibility of infection due to contamination3. A comparison between the effects of using a professional grade lotion and 2 consumer lotions, both on glove integrity and on skin condition (SC), in conjunction with frequent use of alcohol-based hand antiseptics (AHAs) has been made.