TECHNICAL BULLETIN
#1005-5.3
About the SKIN
Skin is composed of an epidermis consisting of five thin cell layers, a dermis, which contains collagen, cells, specialized appendages and glands, and subcutaneous tissue. Together these layers form the integument or skin.
Functions of the skin:
- Prevents invasion by infectious agents
- Helps regulate body temperature
- Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance
- Protects against trauma
- Functions as sensory organ
- Provides elasticity for motion of bones and joints
Functions of anatomic components:
- Hair follicles: prevent harmful debris from entering system in and around body openings.
- Nerve endings: for pain reception and sensory communication.
- Sweat glands: help cool the skin by supplying water for evaporation, remove waste products from body.
- Epidermis: consists of five cellular layers, which form an uninterrupted barrier that limits diffusion into and out of the dermis. Surface is renewed every 27-30 days.
- Dermis: consists of two layers of live cells. Approximately 70% is collagen (80% - 90% is type I).
- Subcutaneous tissue: contains connective tissue and fat cells. Blood vessels and nerves pass through the skin. This layer helps prevent heat loss and trauma.
- Blood vessels: carry nutrients to cells, bring lymphocytes into and away from skin, remove waste products.
- Epithelial cells: promote tissue growth, help restore damaged skin.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
#1001-5.3.98
SKIN DRYNESS, CHAPPING and IRRITATION
Consistent, effective hand washing practices are an integral step in infection control. Studies have shown that frequent contact with water, soap and disinfectants can have a detrimental effect on the skin. Factors that influence skin health includes the number of hand washing events, the type and amount of disinfectant agent or soap employed during the washing procedure, the temperature of the water, method of drying and general condition of the skin. Other factors that are thought to influence skin health include weather conditions, extreme temperatures, low humidity and glove wearing.
With the advent of AIDS, with the increase in the number of multiply-drug resistant bacteria, and with concern for personal and patient safety, glove use has increased significantly in the health care industry. Many workers now wear gloves for prolonged periods of time, they change gloves more frequently, and as a result they wash their hands more often following glove removal. Simple hand washing can remove natural oils and moisture from the skin.
Recommended steps in skin health:
- Always wet hands with tepid water before applying a hand wash product.
- Dispense the appropriate amount of soap or antimicrobial agent (appx. 1cc).
- Rinse hands thoroughly to remove residual glove powder, soil, irritants and hand washing agent.
- Thoroughly thy hands.
- Apply Hand Sense® skin protection cream to all surfaces of the hands and wrists. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper application. Hand Sense is a water-based skin protection cream that is compatible with all glove materials.
- During non-work periods, apply hand lotion or cream to help moisten and soften the skin.
Skin health can be achieved through a combination of common sense infection control practices including, skin cleanliness, application of skin protection cream twice a day while on-the-job, consistent use of appropriate personal protective attire, and application of these principles in the non-work environment.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
#1004-5.3.98
SKIN PROTECTION FOR INDUSTRY
The near-epidemic levels of skin problems on the hands of workers in numerous occupations are well known. Employees are often exposed to chemicals and compounds that cause damage to their skin. These chronic exposures reduce skin lipids and natural moisture, prematurely remove skin layers, alter pH balance, diminish beneficial skin flora and, overtime, may trigger allergic responses in the skin. Preventing contact with occupational irritants is the best way to avoid skin problems.
The employees hand health is a critical component for any organization. If their hands are irritated and sensitive, production lapses and lost work days may ensue. Intact skin is essential for protection from irritants.
Hand Sense® is a protective cream which bonds with the skin to create an invisible shield against irritants. The ingredients are non-allergenic and non-irritating to human skin. Hand Sense is not a therapy and contains no antimicrobials. It is non-greasy and contains no alcohol, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil or silicone. This is very important for several reasons. First, traditional hand lotions, which contain these products, wash off with every hand washing and must be reapplied again and again. Second, not only are large quantities of lotion used, they have no persistent protective qualities. It is also understood that these oils can have detrimental effects on the integrity of latex gloves. Third, when applied properly, Hand Sense leaves no detectible residue on the skin surface that could interfere with other work related applications. Hand Sense utilizes a different but very important concept. It is a pre-wash protectant which protects the skin for up to 4 hours and is generally applied only two or three times per work shift.
When worn under gloves, hand Sense significantly reduces perspiration (but contains no aluminum zirconium compounds). Failure rates of gloves are notoriously high, so this secondary protection is essential. To function effectively, complete coverage of the hands and forearms is very important. Please refer to the How to Apply guideline before use.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
#1006-5.3.98
HAND SENSE FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
The near-epidemic levels of skin problems on the hands of healthcare workers are well known. Latex proteins and accelerators in gloves, glove powders, and repeated hand washing with harsh antiseptic solutions and antimicrobial soaps are major contributors to this problem. These chronic exposures reduce skin lipids and natural moisture, prematurely remove skin layers, alter pH balance, diminish beneficial skin flora and, over time, may contribute to allergic responses in the skin.
Preventing contact with the many occupational irritants found in the healthcare environment is the best way to avoid skin problems. Hand Sense artificially enhances the epidermis, forming an invisible shield which prevents irritation to the sensitive living tissue beneath.
Hand Sense is not a therapy and contains no antimicrobials. The ingredients in Hand Sense are non-allergenic and non- irritating to human skin and are all approved by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. Hand Sense is greaseless and contains no alcohol, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil or silicone. Test data also indicates the product is non-irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes.
When worn under gloves, Hand Sense significantly reduces perspiration (but contains no aluminum zirconium compounds). Failure rates of gloves is notoriously high and the resultant leakage is a potential cause of nosocomial wound infections. Reduction of this moisture may impede leakage complications and help to maintain glove integrity for longer periods of time.
Hand washing is an essential component of an infection control program. The most common reason for lack of hand washing is that healthcare workers' suffer from hand irritation and integumentary breakdown caused by repeated exposure of the hands to detergents, disinfectants or other caustic chemicals. Hand Sense eliminates the usual skin drying effects of alcohol-based topical antiseptics yet does not interfere with the residual, antimicrobial benefits chlorhexidine gluconate soaps. Preliminary results of a randomized double-blind trial in 54 healthcare workers with severe and long standing hand irritation indicates a substantial improvement in hand condition of those test subjects using Hand Sense.
Due to increased nosocomial transmission of infectious microorganisms, many of which are antibiotic-resistant, the use of strong antiseptic products is commonplace. Infectious microorganisms are most often transmitted by unwashed hands. If a healthcare worker is not washing their hands due to discomfort or pain, there is the potential for organism transmission, or even employee exposure due to cracks in the skin. If Hand Sense is used consistently and hand washing increases, the rates of nosocomial disease transmission should decrease. The role of the healthcare manager in helping to ensure compliance with infection control procedures is greatly enhanced by this product because it protects the healthcare workers hands against drying and chemical irritation while facilitating more frequent hand washing.
Healthcare workers often develop sensitivity responses to latex glove components. Those who begin using Hand Sense early in their careers may never develop this sensitivity. If healthcare workers can continue working because their skin is in healthy condition, the expense of lost work days and related recovery costs can be avoided. Healthcare workers who have simple contact dermatitis, or who have developed Type IV sensitivity, should find noticeable relief after using Hand Sense for a short period of time. Latex allergy sufferers must follow the advice of their physicians and should wear non-latex gloves. Such individuals will still benefit from using Hand Sense as a pre-wash protectant.
Hand Sense is more convenient to use than other protective creams because of its effective longevity. Properly applied, the soft shield lasts for up to four hours, even with repeated hand washing and scrubbing. Hand Sense should be applied......
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