Hand Protection and Protection from Hands

Abstract

A variety of soaps, detergents, germicides, and protective gloves are available for use by health care workers. Appropriate hand-washing and glove use will reduce the possibility of spread of infectious organisms from patient to staff, from patient to patient, and from staff to patient. Both hand-washing and glove use can have adverse effects. Excessive hand-washing, mechanical irritation from scrubbing, use of germicides, and wearing of gloves can result in irritant and allergic dermatitis. Dermatitis will result in an increased risk of infection to both the worker and the patient.