Hydroalcoholic Product: The Consequences on Our Hands.

Hydroalcoholic Product: The Consequences on Our Hands.

Easy to carry and quickly accessible, the hydroalcoholic product is the emergency solution to have in your bag, especially during an epidemic, in the absence of available water. Indeed, using it allows you to disinfect your hands in any situation and thus limit the risks of contamination. However, its use can have consequences on the skin of the hands. Here's what they are.

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How does the hydroalcoholic solution work?

The hydroalcoholic product is a rinse-free, quick-drying solution with bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity. It is primarily composed of an alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) with a nominal content of at least 60% to ensure disinfectant properties, an emollient (glycerol, aloe vera, etc.) to prevent skin dryness, and sometimes an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, chlorhexidine, etc.). First of all, unlike soap which cleans, the hydroalcoholic solution is not effective on dirt, whether visible or not (pollution particles, etc.). Therefore, for the hydroalcoholic gel to fulfill its functions, one must have relatively clean hands, that is, free of chemical and organic soiling, otherwise the microbes will be camouflaged in the dirt present on our skin and will act as a protective film between the alcohol molecules and the microorganisms. The effects of the alcohol will then be diminished.

Similar to soap, disinfectant products also work by attacking the membrane of microorganisms. The difference is that the alcohol molecules in solution will target and denature the membrane proteins of the microorganisms, which are essential to their activity, but also inhibit the synthesis of their nucleic acids and proteins. The alcohol will concretely alter the spatial organization of the proteins, causing them to lose their biological properties. Another difference is that hand sanitizer is able to kill the microorganisms , rather than remove them as soap does through friction and rinsing with water. Alcohols thus prove effective against most bacteria, enveloped viruses, yeasts, molds, and naked viruses (those lacking a viral envelope). However, its ineffectiveness against spores has been noted. Nevertheless, studies comparing them to soap have shown that hand sanitizer is effective in reducing the presence of the flu virus on hands, but traditional washing with soap and water is even more so. Therefore, even though hand sanitizer is ideal and convenient for outdoor use, remember to wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible throughout the day.

How to use a disinfectant solution?

For the product to be effective, it is necessary to adopt the right practices to use it correctly. First rule : Always apply your antiseptic solution on dry, unharmed, undamaged hands without visible dirt. Indeed, if you apply it on wet hands, the product will be diluted and its effectiveness reduced. Similarly, the alcohol contained in the solution is deactivated by the presence of too much oil on the skin. Therefore, apply a sufficient dose of lotion in the palm of your hand (about 3 mL). Then rub vigorously for at least 30 seconds until the hydroalcoholic solution has completely evaporated (dry hands) and the emollient has fully penetrated (non-sticky hands). Make sure to thoroughly rub the back and palms of your hands, fingertips, under the nails, the spaces between the fingers, as well as the wrists. Takeaway : The hydroalcoholic product was designed solely for hand disinfection. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid any contact with the mucous membranes.

Disinfectant: What are the risks for the hands?

Hand sanitizer is effective in eliminating most germs. However, in the process, the alcohol also disrupts the skin's natural hydrolipidic film, leading to dryness, cracks, irritation, tightness, and vulnerability to external aggressions. Daily and frequent use of hand sanitizer also alters the microbiome present on the skin's surface. Indeed, when we use the alcohol-based solution, we not only destroy the pathogenic organisms of the transient flora that can cause serious diseases, but we also reduce the resident flora of the epidermis which contributes to our immune defenses. But don't panic, it regenerates very quickly. However, the same observation is made with soap. Moreover, intensive and excessive use of hand sanitizer, like soap, can cause eczema and atopic dermatitis, weakening the epidermis and exposing it to exogenous infectious agents.

Solutions for dry and irritated skin.

Hand sanitizers prove to be indispensable in high-risk situations, such as during an epidemic. However, intensive and frequent use can cause discomfort to the skin. Much like soap, hand sanitizer removes the skin's hydrolipidic film and destroys the resident flora, both of which are responsible for protecting the skin from external aggressions. To minimize damage and maintain the epidermis, opt for a hand sanitizer concentrated in emollient active ingredients (glycerin, aloe vera, etc.) and make sure to consistently hydrate your hands daily with a dab of nourishing care.

Sources:

  • BIRCH C. & al. Efficacy of soap and water and alcohol-based hand-rub preparations against live H1N1 influenza virus on the hands of human volunteers. Clinical Infectious Diseases (2009).

  • CALVO-SOTELO A.E. & al. Comparative study of presurgical hand hygiene with hydroalcoholic solution versus traditional presurgical hand hygiene. Enfermeria Clinica (2017).

  • ITOHA Y. & al. Situations leading to reduced effectiveness of current hand hygiene against infectious mucus from influenza virus-infected patients. American Society for Microbiology (2019).

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