Geneva, Switzerland: The dermatological impact of COVID-19 is a burning topic at EADV's 2021 Spring Symposium. New research presented on May 7 highlights the effect that stringent hand hygiene during the pandemic has had on hand skin health. Researchers at Father Muller Medical College, India, analysed trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), an essential parameter for measuring skin barrier function, from 582 people, 291 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 291 healthy individuals from the general population). Results indicated that hand dermatitis was now present among 92.6 per cent of HCPs and 68.7 per cent of the general population, despite only about 3 per cent of HCPs and 2.4 per cent of the general public in the study reporting a prior history of hand dermatitis (obtained through medical history and self-reported history). Higher mean TEWL (dryer skin) was also noted in females (65.4 g/m2h) and intensive care professionals (58.2 g/m2h), which was associated with a high frequency of handwashing and use of alcohol-based hand rubs.