Hand sanitizer can cause rashes, itchy skin and dermatitis when over-used and should be treated with steroids. 

That’s according to Dr Sumi Dunne on this week’s Ask the GP on Lunchtime Live. 

One listener said they had developed “weird rashes” on their skin. 

“They're itchy and sore, mostly on my hands, becoming really sensitive and it hurts even when I wash them,” they said. 

Hand sanitiser

Dr Dunne told the listener to consider how much they wash their hands or what their job is. 

“We see this quite commonly with the fabulous members of the hairdressing profession,” she said. 

“The hair dyes irritate their skin that can set up what we call a contact dermatitis. 

“We saw a lot of dermatitis through COVID in our health professionals because they were forever washing their hands with quite harsh agents.” 

Dr Dunne said the listener should consider the kind of hand sanitiser they use and, if needed, invest in a topical steroid to apply to rashes and dry areas of the body. 

Can't wake up

Another listener, a 27-year-old man, said he used to have "no problem waking up before 7am every day”, but now can’t get up “until I absolutely have to”. 

“I've been working seven days a week with barely any days off for the last few months.” 

Dr Dunne said the man needs to consider whether he gets any “downtime”. 

“Are you getting any time to have regular exercise?” she asked. “Because we know exercise helps regulate your sleep pattern. 

Person sleeping in bed next to an alarm clock. Image: Anna Berkut / Alamy Stock Photo

“What time you get into bed at night: is that being set on a regular time? 

“And if you’re working that hard, are you drinking quite a lot of caffeine through the day to stay stimulated and to stay awake? 

“I’m a big coffee fan, but when you get to 2pm in the afternoon, the effects of coffee can knock on your sleep.” 

Dr Dunne said it sounds like the man needs to make some lifestyle changes and remove “external stressors”. 

Multiple miscarriages

Another listener said she has had two miscarriages recently and doesn’t know why. 

“I'm 36 and my doctor says my progesterone is normal,” she said. 

Dr Dunne said miscarriages are “far more common” than people realise and there are many reasons this woman could be miscarrying. 

“There is what we can call an autoimmune condition that is very rare, but sometimes that can set up a reaction where the body just doesn't want to be pregnant,” she said. 

“Another cause could be if you’re prone to a condition that makes your blood a little bit stickier. 

She urged the woman to begin investigating the cause of her miscarriages soon. 

“We won’t know until you start investigating,” she said.