Coronavirus: Children's hands left cracked and red raw from handwashing at nurseries

Last Updated: 22 Mar 2021 @ 12:56 PM
Article By: Angeline Albert

Parents are finding their children’s hands have been left red raw, cracked and in some cases bleeding because of repeated handwashing in nurseries and schools.

Hand eczema is on the rise in children. Credit: Off5173 / Shutterstock

Repetitive washing of hands with soap and sanitisers during the school day, is damaging children’s skin, with the British Skin Foundation saying the number of children with hand eczema had risen during the coronavirus pandemic.

Almost a quarter of children are suffering from hand eczema because of increased handwashing during the pandemic, according to the foundation.

The government guidance states nurseries and schools should ensure: 'everyone cleans their hands thoroughly and more often than usual'.

The guidance states this should be done 'when they arrive, when they return from breaks, when they change rooms and before and after eating - this should be done for 20 seconds with soap and running water or hand sanitiser'.

The British Skin Foundation has said washing hands frequently can disrupt the skin's barrier, causing irritation and children are more likely to be affected by eczema because of a less-developed skin barrier.

In a poll of 250 parents of young children carried out in August, some 56 per cent of children were experiencing some type of skin problem associated with their hands.

One in four children (24 per cent) are suffering from hand eczema due to increased handwashing - a rise since before the pandemic when it was estimated that one in five children experienced eczema at some stage in their childhood.

Over a third (38 per cent) reported dry skin, almost a fifth (17 per cent) are suffering with cracked skin, whilst six per cent are experiencing the distress and pain of bleeding hands.

The foundation says skin irritation from soap can make existing eczema worse or trigger contact irritation eczema for the first time.

Repeated exposure to water and use of soap, alcohol hand gel and other detergents can cause dry skin and 'irritant contact dermatitis' – a form of eczema. This can cause the skin to itch, become sore and red and develop small blisters or painful cracks.

Dr Paula Beattie, British Skin Foundation spokesperson and dermatologist at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow said: “Keeping hands clean is a key part in the fight against Covid-19.

"Although it’s concerning to hear of children suffering with skin problems due to frequent handwashing, thankfully this can be alleviated with the regular use of an unfragranced moisturiser.

"Encourage your child to get into the routine of moisturising after every hand wash.”

The British Skin Foundation also recommends:

• Hands are properly rinsed and dried after hand-washing so that there is no residual soap on the skin.

• If there are persistent cracked hands despite using moisturiser, it may be that your child needs to be seen by their GP for more targeted treatment.

The British Association of Dermatologists' tips

• Dry hands fully after washing by patting them dry, not rubbing.

• Moisturisers (emollients) are an essential part of treating hand dermatitis. They help repair the damaged outer skin and lock moisture inside the skin making it soft and supple again. They should be applied generously after handwashing, repeatedly through the day, and whenever the skin feels dry.

• Overnight moisturising treatments can be beneficial. Apply a generous layer of a plain moisturiser just before bedtime, then put on a pair of clean cotton gloves and leave overnight.

• When hands are going to come into contact with water or detergents, but when not specifically washing hands, wear gloves to provide a barrier (such as nitrile gloves which are available from chemists or from online stores) to help to keep the skin’s barrier intact.

• If there is severe hand dermatitis or you suspect an infection (for example, skin is oozing) see your GP. Prescription treatments such as topical steroids to reduce inflammation may be required.