Frequent use of antiseptics: what problems can it lead to?

COVID-19 is changing our entire lives and, in particular, our daily hygiene rituals. And if previously antiseptics were popular among part of the population, now the desired tube is in the house or in the purse of almost everyone.

But do we really need antiseptics in everyday life, when should we use them and what skin diseases can their frequent use lead to, says expert Natalya Grinchishin.

Natalya Grinchishin , master podologist and teacher of international level, author and developer of training programs, master expert in nail modeling, manicure and hardware pedicure (1st level according to KSSC standards), judge of Ukrainian and international championships in nail aesthetics and hardware pedicure, judge INJA, judge SPU and international organization OMC (Lviv)

In the modern world, people regularly directly encounter various types of infections, and accordingly, they are looking for ways to protect themselves. It is fear that determines people's actions!

Today, 80% of women have hand sanitizer in their purse and 50% of men have hand sanitizer in their car. In almost every store you could purchase this product at the checkout before the start of quarantine. Is this really so vital and what consequences can antiseptic products cause?

How do antiseptics work?

Antiseptics are agents that can lead to death or stop the growth and development of microorganisms on the surface of the human body. Used on the skin or mucous membranes.

But! Not only pathogenic microorganisms live on human skin. The skin has its own natural microflora, just like in the gastrointestinal tract, in the mouth, etc.

Stratum microbium is the acid mantle of the skin, which contains lactic acid and various amino acids from sweat, free fatty acids from sebum and pyrrolidine-α-carboxylic acid from dead skin particles. It is the acidic background that protects us from infections, destroying them the moment they come into contact with the skin.

Every time we wash our hands with soap, the acidic background of the skin is neutralized and, accordingly, the protective properties are reduced. And besides, soap is an alkali that dries out the skin. And we get the opposite effect.

And if, after washing our hands, we also apply an antiseptic, which is usually alcohol-based (it dissolves the bilipid layers of the skin and improves the penetration of other components), we dry out the skin even more.

The PH of the skin after washing hands is restored after at least 3 hours, and after using an antiseptic it takes 6 hours. If during this time we wash our hands repeatedly and apply antiseptic again, then the pH is not restored at all, which leads to excessive drying and aging of the skin, as well as to some skin diseases.

Skin diseases that can be caused by antiseptics

Frequent use of antiseptics can cause allergies, dermatitis and eczema, not just dry skin, because antiseptics contain various components that cause allergic reactions.

Antiseptics are divided into drugs of organic and inorganic origin. Inorganic origin - halogens, oxidizing agents, acids, salts of heavy metals.
Organic origin - phenols, tar and resins, dyes, nitrofuran derivatives, aldehydes and alcohols, detergents.

Often the components of these drugs can be toxic, lead to poisoning, depress the central nervous system, cause lacrimation, shortness of breath, allergic reactions, etc.

Therefore, you should not abuse antiseptics! They are indispensable in medicine, on the road (when it is not possible to wash your hands), in manicure and pedicure rooms, and podiatry centers. In everyday life, it is better to simply wash your hands with soap and do not forget that to moisturize, as well as to quickly restore the pH of the skin, you need to use hand creams.

Which hand cream to choose?

During the day, choose water-based hand creams (they work for several hours) or with urea. And at night, if there is increased dryness, apply preparations based on occlusives (paraffin, mineral oils, natural oils, lanolin, etc.) - they work for up to 24 hours and are therefore called nourishing.

If you experience an allergic reaction, dermatitis or eczema, consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances!