Effect of Alcohol-based Hand Rubs with a Formulation Containing MPC Polymer on the Function of the Stratum Corneum of the Skin

Abstract

  Irritant contact dermatitis is often found on the hands of health care workers. Alcohol-based hand rubs, which are used to prevent the transmission of nosocomial pathogens, may cause dry skin and burning sensation on previously irritated skin. Patients with eczema on the hands have higher rates of skin colonization by organisms such as Staphylocuccus aureus and multiple antibiotic-resistant strains. Therefore, a hygiene technique which does not cause skin damage to the hands is important to prevent the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. An MPC (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) polymer has been found to maintain higher hydration of the stratum corneum of the skin and to attenuate SLS-induced skin irritation on the skin. The present study investigated whether the usage of alcohol-based hand rubs with or without MPC polymer for 2 weeks might cause irritation of the skin using biophysical skin measurements. High frequency conductance measurements disclosed that a formulation without MPC polymer decreased skin hydration, whereas a formulation with MPC polymer tended to increase the skin hydration of healthy volunteers (n=36). Moreover, the formulation with MPC polymer was found to decrease transepidermal water loss, a parameter of the barrier function of the skin, and to cause less burning sensation compared to the formulation without MPC polymer. In conclusion, an alcohol-based disinfectant with MPC polymer may be useful for health care workers with skin damage of the hands due to frequent wet work, occlusion by gloves, and aggressive use of detergents and disinfectants.