The chain is a very vulnerable and important component on the bike and therefore requires regular maintenance (cleaning and lubrication) to remain relatively trouble free while performing all its tasks. The alternative is frequent replacement but that in and of itself is maintenance. Maintenance (or in your case just touching such a component) is frequently dirty work especially when that component is positioned down near the souce of grime stirred up by the wheels riding on the trails, roads, etc, and having some sort of grime attracting lube to help it run more smoothly for a longer time. But in your case you might carry a pair of latex gloves.