Since the pandemic caused by the Covid19 virus began, one of the most common recommendations to prevent the spread has been to wash your hands frequently or use antibacterial gel and other similar products. This – in addition to creating a new routine in our lives – has created a great demand for small doses that you always have with you or for large bottles of hydroalcoholic gel to be used in supermarkets or on commercial surfaces.
The effectiveness of disinfectant solutions
This gel is a disinfectant enriched with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and an antibacterial liquid that does not replace hand washing, but complements it. This substance kills microorganisms and is faster than washing hands with plenty of soap and water. However, it does not remove the visible dirt that the soap carries, and it does not suppress all kinds of germs, chemicals such as pesticides or heavy metals.
For this reason, it is recommended to use the gel when the hands are not dirty, as it does not remove dirt, but is effective against Covid19 and a wide range of bacteria. The effectiveness of Hydroalkolagel is based on its components. These must contain a dose of more than 60% alcohol and between 60% and 90% ethanol.
Problems caused by misusing these products
Antibacterial gels have become a staple of everyday life, but these hydroalcoholic solutions can be harmful if misused or overused.
Alcohols have the ability to dehydrate our skin, so people with more sensitive skin or those who use these products continuously and repeatedly may have problems in the epidermis such as dryness and the appearance of cracks, irritating eczema, allergic eczema from contact, Contact dermatitis or change in the microbiome.
Recommendations for the use of hydroalcoholic gel
The World Health Organization reminds that the best way to prevent disease is to wash your hands with plenty of soap and water and also gives some recommendations on how to properly use the gel for hand disinfection, a process that should take around 20-30 hours Seconds and consists of the following steps:
- Pour a ton of product into the palm of your hand.
- Rub your hands together; the palm of one hand against the back of the other, crossing the fingers; palms together; the back of the fingers with the palm of the opposite hand; Thumb in a rotating motion.
- Let it dry, one of the most important steps in getting the fumes out. “After drying your hands are safe,” admits the WHO.
Covid19 got us to incorporate this new routine and the only certainty is that the best way to fight this virus, along with social distancing, is to wash your hands well, disinfect them with antibacterial agents, and use a moisturizer to be used to prevent the skin from drying out. too much, especially people with particularly dry skin or conditions like psoriasis.
