Skin Deep?

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic people in the UK, were constantly encouraged to handwash (whilst singing 'Happy Birthday to You'). This advice was based on the assumption the viral infection could be picked up by touching surfaces (fomites). Repeated hand washing is, however, problematic for people who suffer from 'irritant contact dermatitis. An as yet unpublished study, by Rachel Edgar (Imperial College London), shows an antimicrobial soap substitute is very effective against viruses (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/soap-substitute-kills-covid-just-as-well-as-alcohol-sanitiser-study-shows). The soap substitute used in the study was Dermol 500. It contains an emollient to keep the skin hydrated, along with two antimicrobial agents (benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride). Edgar found Dermol 500 to be at least as good as alcohol-based hand sanitiser, in terms of destroying Sars-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza virus. Good news for those with sensitive skins.