Irritation durch Waschen und Desinfizieren

This study investigated biological response of regular human skin to alcohol-based disinfectants and detergents in a repetive test design. Using non-invasive diagnostic tools such as transepidermal water loss, laser-doppler flowmetrie and corneometry we quantified the irritative effects of a propanol-based hand disinfection (Sterillium®), the propanol-mixture which is used in Sterillium® (2-Propanol 45% v/v, 1-Propanol 30% v/v), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) 0,5% and distilled water. The alcoholic test preparations showed minimal irritation rather comparable to the application of water. However, the detergent SLS produced stronger barrier disruption, erythema and dryness than the alcoholic preparations. There was no additional irritation at the combined use of SLS and disinfectants. By contrary there was even a decrease in barrier disruption and erythema induced by the combination of SLS and alcoholic disinfection compared to the use of SLS alone. These findings demonstrate a less irritant effect of alcohol-based disinfectants on the skin than detergents. Our study shows that there is no summation of irritating effects of those substances and that the combination of washing and disinfection rather has a protective aspect compared to single washing.