9 Secret side effects of hand disinfectant, according to doctors
They help you kill coronaviruses, but they can also cause unwanted problems.
Handy details can increase your risk of eczema
To prevent the propagation of coronavirus, the CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if they are not available, using a hand disinfectant containing at least 60% alcohol. Following this opinion is essential, but "increased contact with irritants and allergens can increase the risk of hand dermatitis or" eczema ". This usually occurs on the skin with redness, drought, cracks and even bulbs that cause itching or pain "Caroline Nelson, M.D. A dermatologist and a Yale medicine instructor in Yale School of Medicine, saysEat this, not that! Health.
RX: "It is important not to excuse the disinfectant and moisturize each use," advises the dermatologist Peterson Pierre, Mr.D., of thePierre Skin Care Institute.
"The use of a moisturizer ideally containing mineral oil or petrolatum, can help prevent dermatitis by hand. Although the moisturizer must be applied immediately after washing hands, it is not The case when using a hand disinfectant. Individuals should rub his hands together for about 15-30 seconds covering all surfaces with hand disinfecting until the hands are dry, then apply a moisturizer Dr. Nelson said.
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Hand reminders can irritate your skin
"Hand disinfectants are antiseptic products - they are formulated to disinfect the skin," says Vanessa Thomas, a cosmetic chemist and founder ofIndependent formulations. "The main disinfecting ingredient in hand disinfecting formulas is ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, and are formulated with thickening softeners and sometimes perfumes to reduce the strong smell of alcohol. Frequent use can cause irritation from the skin or dry the skin. If you have sensitive skin, the effects can be worse. The drying is caused by alcohol. "
RX: "Wash hands with hot water and soap are the best way to kill germs, but there are times when you do not have access to a sink and soap," says Thomas. "If you can not reduce your hand disinfectant consumption, a good idea is to follow a follow-up with a moisturizing diet. Dry skin is caused by a lack of water content in the skin. A moisturizer with humectants and occlusive is the best. occlusive help create a film on the skin to hold moisture and moistening (hyaluronic acid is an example of a) help to attract water on the skin. "
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Some formulations can affect fertility
"Some hand disinfectants are composed of alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, such as an active ingredient that works as antiseptic," says Dr. Chris Norris, a licensed physiotherapist and a neurologist and a clinical associate professor at the University of California, fromSrseststandards.com. "However, there are non-alcoholic hand disinfectants composed of an antibiotic compound called Triclosan or Triclocarban. Several searchesstudiesHave reported that Triclosan is a health hazard because its overuse has negative effects on fertility, fetal development and asthma levels "
RX:"It is always recommended to wash your hands with water and soap to completely eradicate germs. Use disinfectants only when water and soap are not available," says Dr. Norris. Avoid them with TiClosan or Triclocarban. For a complete list of dangerous hands disinfectants, the FDA recommends you never buy, gohere.
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Some could cause resistance to antibiotics
"Exposure to Triclosan increases the likelihood that bacteria develop antibiotic resistance," says Dr. Norris. Again, find one without Triclosan.
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Some can cause hormone problems
"According to the FDA, present Triclosan in a hand disinfectant also causes hormonal problems. This causes bacteria to adapt to its anti-microbial properties, creating more antibiotic strains, "says Dr. Norris.
Some affect your immune system
"Triclosan also weakens human immune function. The weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to allergies, "says Dr. Norris.
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Some can affect your body development
"A disinfectant for the hands that has too scent could be loaded with toxic chemicals such as phthalates and parabens. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can affect the development of the human body and reproduction. Parabens are chemicals that can negatively affect the functioning of hormones, fertility, birth findings, and reproductive development ", explains Dr. Norris.
RX: Find a phthalate and disinfectant for hands without paraben.
You could get a skin disorder
"The excessive use of alcohol-based hand disinfectants to protect against germs and pathogens that cause infection could inversely increase the risk of infection with skin disorders. Exaggeration can eliminate benign bacteria on the skin that is not good, "explains Dr. Norris.
RX: "Unlike hand disinfectant, soap and water can effectively eliminate dirt, grime and eliminating pesticides and other chemical residues that are persistent on your hands," says Dr. Norris.
Disinfectants for hands could lead to alcohol poisoning
Like many disinfectants for hands contain very high levels of alcohol, doctors case of alcohol poisoning witnesses when it is soaked. "As hand-disinfectants are readily available, there have been many cases in the world where teenagers have been hospitalized with alcoholic intoxication to consume hand disinfectant," says Dr. Norris.
RX: Do not drink! Keep it away from your children and educate your teens. Dial the 911 if you swallow hand disinfecting.
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Final thoughts by doctors
"Hand disinfectants are a good alternative to potentially reduce infectious microbial load such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, hands or skin, so soap and water are not immediately available," says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a certified dermatologist board in Beverly Hills, in private practiceSKINSAFE DERMATOLOGY. But remember: "They do not suppress physical dirt / dirt / mucus, and so, are not physically intendedwashing your hands,"
"Disinfectant for hands are not as good as the soap", warns Dr. Norris. "Based on hand disinfectants to keep your hands clean may not be your best strategy. And to go through life to your healthier,Do not take this supplement, which can increase your risk of cancer.