SKINCARE

Save your SKIN

Constant hand sanitising and mask wearing plays havoc with your skin, our expert explains how to keep yours healthy

our skin is the first line of defence against organisms that cause disease. It is home to a microbiome made up of ynaturally occurring bacteria and fungi, says Dr Hetesh Pitamber, a dermatologist practising at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital. “These play an important part in supporting skin health and maintaining this barrier, but unfortunately with the daily use of masks and hand sanitisers, this is constantly being disturbed. As a result, conditions such as contact dermatitis and eczema of the hands are becoming common as is ‘maskne’, or perioral dermatitis, which presents with little red bumps and peeling around the mouth. While wearing masks and practising regular hand hygiene are essential these days, this shouldn’t be at the cost of your skin health,” says Pitamber. He offers some tips to help protect your skin.

Hands:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with sufficient soap and clean running water for 20 seconds – this remains the gold standard for hand hygiene. It’s also gentler on your skin than sanitisers. • Always use a sanitiser with at least 60 per cent alcohol concentration – anything less will not be effective – and rub all over your hands and wrists for 20 seconds. While hand sanitisers of the right composition can effectively kill most harmful pathogens, there are certain ones they don’t kill, such as Clostridium difficile and norovirus, so using soap and water is preferable. • Moisturise your hands before and after using sanitiser. Constant sanitising can disrupt your skin’s barrier making you more prone to eczema, contact dermatitis and infections. • Wear nonlatex powder-free gloves when you go out if you’re struggling with a skin condition on your hands, and apply sanitiser over the gloves. The gloves will protect and allow the skin barrier to repair.

Face:

• Wear a mask that’s breathable and fits comfortably. Constant friction against the skin can cause conditions such as frictional acne and perioral dermatitis. A soft cotton mask is a good choice – avoid nylon. Reusable masks must be washed daily. • Help your skin to breathe by only using light make-up such as noncomedogenic – or breathable – powders, or water-based solutions. If you are struggling with any form of skin irritation, Pitamber advises consulting your GP or dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment, so that your skin can recover and the discomfort alleviated.

TREATING childhood eczema

While there’s no known cure for childhood eczema, here’s some expert advice on how to manage the condition. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis (AD), is a predominantly genetic condition with environmental aggravation, explains Professor Carol Hlela, head of Paediatric Dermatology at Red Cross Children’s Hospital/University of Cape Town. “Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for it, so the only way to treat your child’s eczema is to keep it under control.” She offers the following guidelines.

Do:

• Moisturise. The two main components of eczema are dry skin and infl ammation. Moisturising is the basis of eczema treatment as well as prevention. If you moisturise the skin and help prepare the skin barrier, you reduce skin infection. Hlela advises applying a moisturiser within three minutes after showering or bathing and reapply it four to fi ve times daily. • Use a steroid ointment. This is the most effective treatment when prescribed correctly. Anti-infl ammatory creams (topical cortisone or topical steroids) can also be used for the relief of itchy symptoms, as well as infl ammation. • Choose cotton. Knitwear and synthetic fi bres can contribute to your child’s eczema fl are-up. Cotton is the answer as it absorbs sweat, which can irritate the condition. • Find a specialist. This is crucial to fi nding the right course of treatment. Early treatment is vital for effective management, and because it needs to be individualised, a medical specialist should always be consulted.

Don’t:

• Use products that irritate. These can be diffi cult to identify and is mostly trial and error. The rule of thumb for washing and moisturising products is “no fragrance and no colour”. Remember that just because a product claims to be organic or natural doesn’t imply that it’s good for eczema skin. Some can irritate or cause an allergic reaction, so opt for a mild soap with a neutral or low pH. • Bath for more than 10 minutes. While cleanliness and sanitation are essential for effective management, always stick to short baths. Long baths can weaken the skin barrier and completely dry out the skin’s moisture while sweat can irritate the skin even more. • Attempt the food elimination diet on your own. Studies show that only about 30 per cent of eczema patients have some form of food allergy. Instead of going it alone, always seek professional advice from a specialist GP, paediatrician or dermatologist about the relationship between certain foods and your child’s eczema. Only they are qualifi ed to decide whether to do the appropriate tests to confi rm or deny this.

SOURCES

• Dr Hetesh Pitamber: 011 806 1883/011 257 2107, Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, www.netcarehospitals.co.za/Hospital/ Netcare-Sunninghill-Hospital • Professor Carol Hlela: ingresshealthcare.co.za/; 021 045 1554