The Negative Effects of Foam/Alcohol Hand Sanitzer

[*4!#6]

I am an employee of a hospital, working 3-4 days a week, and also a clinical student, with 3 days/week at my clinical site. This amounts to 6-7 days spent at a hospital. At my work alone, I estimate that I use the foam hand sanitzer about 250-300 times per shift (I work in another department besides nursing). When a clinical, this could been 100-150 times per shift. I am very particular about foaming in/foaming out and washing my hands before and after procedures.

What I have found is that the top layer of skin on my palms is now pealing off and my hands are sore/red. I use lotions and also apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to combat this. Besides the breaks in the barriers of my skin, I can't help but wonder what all of the alcohol/chemicals in the foam are doing to my skin and body. I am sure, like most things, hand sanitzer/hand foams are safe in moderation. But those of us in healthcare use them perhaps hundreds of times on a daily basis over many, many years. What does this extreme use do to our skin and our bodys? Are we absorbing toxic chemicals?

[SonorityGenius]

Wear gloves!

[*4!#6]

I am not allowed to wear gloves when passing or picking up trays unless picking up trays from a dirty untility room. We have been told that because we cannot foam in/out, it is not allowed to wear gloves into and out of patient's rooms repeatedly. I think I am just going to "foam out" from patient's rooms from now on. I am entering and leaving the patient's rooms so quickly that the foam has barely dried on my hands after leaving the next patient's room before I am entering the next. In clinical, I am going to strictly use soap and water. I am also going to contact Employee Health and see what they have to say.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

As told by a previous poster you have to contact Employee Heath or your Doctor. If you are having problems with the either the hand soap or alcohol rub then your Employer has to provide you with a different kind.

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

Think about it logically. Hand sanitizer only works if you let it completely dry. Otherwise you actually can pick up more bugs with the moisture. If your hands are stil wet do you really need to be foaming again? That does not make any logical sense.

[LynnLRN]

I know at my facility if the foam causes your skin to react like that you can go to employee health services and they have special sanitizer that they will give you that you carry around with you. You should check and see if your hospital has an alternative for cases like yours, and if they do not maybe you could suggest it!

[JohnBaker]

I am estimating I foam in, and out over 500 times a week. We are not allowed to leave a patient's room, and walk directly to a sink to wash. We are forced to foam first. Many of us have been to employee health. They offer another alcohol solution which is just as bad. My hands heal up when I am off work a few days. I absolutely do not see how dry, cracked, peeling, bloody hands are good for us