Tough on germs, gentle on hands: a cross-sectional study on hand skin health, skincare and hygiene habit changes among medical students in their clinical years in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Occupational hand dermatitis (OHD) has become increasingly prevalent in recent years among healthcare worker populations worldwide. The condition can be so debilitating that it leads to sick leave or even career changes. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the impact of hand hygiene practices on hand skin health and skin care habits among undergraduate medical students in their clinical years, who are preparing to enter the healthcare workforce. Methods: The study population included undergraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) program students who have completed at least 1 year of clinical rotations. Data was collected through an anonymous survey distributed to eligible students, with data collected from their pre-clinical and clinical years. Results: A total of 81 students completed the survey. In pre-clinical years, mean daily handwashing and sanitiser use were 6.1 and 4.6 times, respectively, with most (74%) spending < 5 min on hand hygiene. In clinical years, 63% of students spent >5 min daily on hand hygiene, 93% reported increased handwashing, and 52% noted worsened hand skin health. More females than males reported worsening of hand skin health during specific clinical placements ( Conclusion: Clinical training was associated with increased hand hygiene adherence but also a significant worsening of hand skin health, particularly among female students. High-contact rotations were most frequently linked to symptom exacerbation, highlighting the need for targeted skin protection measures during clinical years and in the healthcare environment.