Disinfectants are a useful complement to washing with lukewarm water and soap to combat pathogens such as the new coronavirus. This virus, like many other pathogens, structurally possesses an outer envelope called an envelope composed of lipids and proteins.
Because of the lipids, the shell is easily dissolved by soap and warm water and the coronavirus dies. However, soap and water are not always handy, and soaping does not necessarily kill all other pathogens. So depending on the situation, disinfection may be necessary.
The disinfectants we use on hands and surfaces usually contain alcohol (ethanol or alcohol) in various densities, various other alcohols, chlorine in various forms and concentrations or various other chemical ingredients. COVID-19 coronavirus is thought to be most effectively controlled by some of these. Studies with the older infectious SARS and MERS coronaviruses have shown that disinfectants containing (a) alcohol at a concentration of 62-71%, (b) chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) at a concentration of 0,1%, or (c) hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 0,5% were effective against them.
Hand antiseptics with an alcohol content above 70% are also considered effective against the new virus. Chlorine products are only indicated for surfaces, because they are very irritating to the skin, while hydrogen peroxide (acetic acid) is mainly used as a wound and surface disinfectant.
Effects on the skin from the use of antiseptics.
With alcohol-based hand antiseptics one possible effect may be dry skin, which is usually seen either with poor quality antiseptics or in people with skin sensitivity. Good quality alcohol-based antiseptics usually do not cause dry skin because they contain emollients that make them more 'skin-friendly'. However, if a person has a predisposition and skin sensitivity, not only can they develop dry skin with them, but even contact dermatitis. These problems can occur mainly with repeated, frequent use. Contact dermatitis manifests itself with symptoms ranging from mild to very severe, and includes dryness, irritation, itching, flaking, "cracking" of the skin, cracking or even bleeding and pain.
Another possible effect is allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by the other ingredients in antiseptics, but is rare. In its more severe forms, which are even rarer, allergic contact dermatitis may be accompanied by symptoms of anaphylaxis (e.g. difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, etc.). In addition to sensitivity and predisposition, other factors that increase the risk of dermatitis during continuous use of hand sanitisers include the fragrances and preservatives they may contain, continuous hand washing with soap and water after using the sanitiser (this should not be done) and wearing gloves while hands are still wet from the sanitiser or from washing.
Other aggravating factors are hand washing with hot water and constant drying either in hot air or with poor quality cloth or paper towels. Dermatitis is also more likely in those who do not regularly use hand moisturisers.
Chlorine surface disinfectants are powerful and effective, but they are irritating not only to the skin, but also to the mucous membranes of the airways.
When chlorine comes into contact with the skin, it can cause toxic or allergic reactions that can even lead to the development of skin burns.
Source: edae.gr/dermalogos/
