The effects of handwashing habits on health protocols on skin hydration levels and incidence of irritant contact dermatitis

Handwashing using soap or hand sanitizer is one of the health protocols that must be implemented by society to prevent the spreading of SARS-Cov-2 virus which can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome and death. The implementation of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic caused the habit of handwashing increase. Hence, it can lead to cause irritant contact dermatitis and dry hand skin due to frequent contact with soap or hand sanitizers. Method: This study is an observational study with the sample from the villager of Banyumas regency. The data collection was taken by cluster random sampling and accidental sampling. Results: Considering the health protocol, most of the villager used to wash their hands regularly and 3 respondents (3.00%) of them did not. 100 respondents took the data and 19 respondents (19.00%) have irritant contact dermatitis and the rest did not. Furthermore, for skin hydration levels with dehydration category (0% - 29%) are 50 respondents (50.00%), normal category (30% - 50%) are 38 respondents (38.00%) and hydration category (51% - 100 %) are 12 respondents (12.00%). Chi-Square analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between handwashing habit and the incidence of irritant contact dermatitis with the value of “P” is 0.394> 0.05 and there was a significant relationship between hand washing habits and skin hydration levels with the value of “P” is 0.010 <0, 05. Conclusion: Handwashing habits have a significant relationship to skin hydration levels.