Skin compatibility of hand disinfectants

Generally, hand disinfectants based on alcohols possess good skin tolerability. A burning sensation and reddened skin upon contact with alcohol-based hand disinfectants are signs of pre-damaged skin. In these cases, the alcohol can easily reach the living cells of the epidermis and cause such disorders.

In contrast to cleansing agents that need to be rinsed off, alcohol-based rubs have the advantage that the horny layer's skin lipids are indeed released from their structural order by the alcohol-based disinfectant, but substantially remain on the skin.

Many experimental findings and application studies have proven the superior skin tolerability of alcohol-based rubs compared to soaps. Precondition for good skin compatibility are alcohol-based hand disinfectants that also contain emollients which should be imperatively considered when selecting products.

Skin compatibility of hand disinfectants — Alcohol-based hand disinfectants indeed release the skin lipids, but these remain on the hands.

Video: Why can the skin burn when disinfecting?

This might also interest you

Hand disinfection

Hygienic hand disinfection prevents the transmission of pathogens from one patient to another. You avoid the entry of pathogens into wounds or onto medical equipment.

Sterillium® med and Sterillium® pure fulfil the requirements of EN 1500 in 15 seconds

As part of an investigation by an independent, accredited laboratory, it was demonstrated that the hand disinfectants Sterillium® med, ethanol-based, and Sterillium® pure, propanol-based, fulfil the efficacy requirements for bactericidal efficacy of hygienic hand disinfection (test standard EN 1500) with a contact time of 15 seconds

Marburg virus

Marburg virus is a filamentous, bacillus or sometimes U-shaped, enveloped virus of the Filoviridae family. Marburg virus infections trigger haemorrhagic fever and damage the organs. Transmission seems to occur primarily via direct contact with...