Skin barrier response to active chlorine hand disinfectant-An experimental study comparing skin barrier response to active chlorine hand disinfectant and alcohol-based hand rub on healthy skin and eczematous skin.

Background: Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is widely used for hand disinfection in the health care sector. ABHR is, however, known to cause discomfort when applied on damaged skin emphasizing the unmet need for alternative and better tolerated types of disinfectants. Active chlorine hand disinfectants (ACHDs) are potential new candidates; however, the effect on the skin barrier function compared to ABHR remains to be assessed.