Skin Irritant Disinfectants - How Dangerous Are They Really?

Allergic reactions and skin irritation from disinfectants? What the state of research says about additives and pollutants in disinfectants:

Making disinfectants yourself – that can be dangerous

In the course of the spread of the Corona Virus A trend is currently emerging: There in drugstores, pharmacies and supermarkets Disinfectants become scarce, more and more people are making their own medication at home. In itself, we think the “do it yourself” attitude is great. In this case , however, we advise you against it . Why? When it comes to disinfectants, you go to a medical area – after all, you wouldn’t think of mixing your own antibiotic, would you?

Around Produce disinfectant you’ll usually need ethanol or some form of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerin. As the names that sound like chemistry lessons tell you, you are handling substances that are not that harmless. Incorrectly dosed or improperly used, they can be harmful to your health and cause damage to the skin or mucous membranes. These materials should also not be kept near children. Instead of doing it yourself, you should trust in experts and professionals . At Dailynex® you will find disinfectants that are safe, effective, modern & developed with biotechnology to protect your health.

The need for disinfectants

The implementation of your own hygiene strategy should not only protect you against the corona virus, but also against typical dangers such as flu or gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, a disinfectant should also protect you from skin diseases. Bacteria and viruses lurk everywhere in everyday life – in the kitchen, when shopping or at work. You handle money when paying, the keyboard in the office or various door handles. You quickly touch hundreds of surfaces a day that could theoretically be contaminated.

The problem with the skin

About the Danger of pollutants in disinfectants has been in the for quite some time media reported. Especially Consumer protection initiatives [3], scientific institutions [4] and affected occupational groups In this context, [6] often point to a skin damaging potential and the possible cause of allergies related to their use on. Before we outline the immediate possible consequences for the skin, it is important to first show the context in which these negative side effects can arise:

Skin contact with disinfectants occurs both when using disinfection processes and when touching the contact surface to be disinfected. That many disinfectants in the surface of the area to be disinfected move in (if based on alcohol) or on this with Residues remain (alternative active ingredients such as QAV), contributes to direct contact with the respective chemicals.

Even supposedly harmless ingredients such as alcohol or other active ingredients in common disinfectants can endanger material and users.

The pollutants

One of the culprits: triclosan

So-called Quaternary ammonium compounds (QAV) As a widespread group of active ingredients for disinfection and cleaning products, they are regularly used in many industries in surface and skin disinfection. These are suspected next material damaging properties not just that environment , but also especially to cause lasting damage to the users of these products. The most commonly used active ingredients in this group are:

Benzalkonium chloride
Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
Dimethylbenzylammonium chloride
Triclosan

Investigations of these active ingredient group representatives illustrate one toxic effect for people and especially the skin , in which small amounts can cause skin irritation (contact dermatitis) and Allergies can lead [2] [3].

Why are they potentially harmful to the skin?

The use of QAC or alcohol as the main or additional active ingredient in many household cleaners and disinfectants causes an increase in the stress on the natural acid mantle of our skin . Frequent disinfection of the hands (as is necessary in many professions) promotes these negative side effects and sensitive and chronically irritated skin can develop.

To counteract this effect, the use of lipid-replenishing substances in hand disinfectants for professional use is increasingly being introduced. Nevertheless, there is an unnecessary burden on the skin, since the negative influence of skin-irritating active ingredients is only compensated by care products and is not prevented from the outset.

We imagine a “smart” and modern disinfection differently!

Our conclusion

It should be emphasized that for the Infection protection “At home” hand washing is usually sufficient as a hygiene measure! [5] However, there are areas in the household as well as on the go and especially in professional areas of application where hygiene measures are necessary Germ reduction far more than “simple” hand washing required are. These are disadvantageous even in combination with the above-mentioned disinfectants, [6] so that we, users who rely on them, our Disinfectants recommend to the Pollution to reduce to a minimum in everyday life. The skin is our largest organ. Therefore, you should always carefully protect it.

Sources and further reading:

[1] Technical article by MensHealth: “These 5 skin diseases lurk in the fitness studio” published on August 22nd, 2017 in Hamburg