Uses of Sanitizers - An Overview

Introduction

In recent years, many novel infections and their variations have emerged, leading to an increased focus on developing disinfection methods. Frequent and effective handwashing is advocated to decrease the spread of these infectious agents. Traditional handwashing with soap and water is effective but difficult to perform regularly. Hence, hand sanitizers are utilized and have proven to be an effective alternative to washing hands.

What Are the Ingredients Used in Sanitizers?

Most sanitizers are classified as alcohol-containing and non-alcohol-containing. Alcohol-containing ones are commonly used. They are found to be more effective in 60 to 90 percent volume.

• Alcohol-Containing Sanitizers: The main ingredients in these sanitizers are isopropyl alcohol and n-propanol, or a combination is commonly utilized. The alcohols are known to be effective in killing many microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

  • Isopropyl Alcohol: This is used in formulations that necessitate higher concentrations of alcohol to achieve antimicrobial activity.

  • Ethanol: This is another clear alcohol used for its antimicrobial properties. Its advantages over other alcohols are rapid evaporation and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

• Nonalcohol-Containing Sanitizers: They are considered as alternatives to the alcohol-based sanitizers. Common ingredients include:

  • Benzalkonium Chloride: This is a quaternary ammonium compound used as an antimicrobial agent and surfactant. It is effective against a wide range of bacteria and viruses. However, it is less effective against some bacteria than alcohol-based sanitizers.

  • Chlorhexidine Gluconate: It is an antiseptic agent commonly used in mouthwashes, hand scrubs, and patient skin preparation. They are also used in sanitizers and have a broad spectrum of activity against almost all gram-positive and negative bacteria. They also have shown some antifungal activity.

  • Chloroxylenol: This is also known as para-chloro-meta-xylenol. It is also a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent effective against various bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is a common household disinfectant.

  • Iodine: It is a halogen-based antiseptic agent that works as an antimicrobial agent by killing microbial cells. The disadvantages include concern for skin irritation and staining with its usage.

  • Triclosan: This is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Its usage has declined because of concerns about antimicrobial resistance and its effect on the environment. Its mechanism mainly disrupts the microbial cell membranes.

In addition to the active agent, additional thickeners, fragrances, moisturizers, and emollients are added to the sanitizers.

What Is the Mechanism of Action?

The most common agent in alcohol based is propanol or isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol mainly works in different ways, such as:

1. Membrane damage.

2. Inhibition of RNA.

3. Effect on RNA polymerase.

4. Protein denaturation.

Non-alcohol-containing sanitizers' mechanism of action include:

1. Inactivating spores.

2. Inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in the living tissues.

3. Chlorhexidine has shown good activity against gram-positive bacteria and enveloped viruses.

4. Disruption of cell membrane leads to outward movement of cell contents and loss.

5. Deactivate body enzyme systems and alter cell wall synthesis.

6. Form complexes with amino acids or fatty acids, thereby impairing cell components.

7. Benzalkonium chloride.

8. Act by adsorbing the cell membrane and leaking the contents. They are seen to be more active against gram-positive bacteria and certain fat preferring viruses.

Numerous studies have shown the efficacy and effectiveness of sanitizers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends sanitizers with a 60 percent alcohol content. When used properly, they are effective against most infectious agents, especially when hand washing is not always possible.

Regardless, they should not be used as a substitute for washing hands. Whenever the hands are visibly dirty, it is advised to wash with soap and water.

What Is Its Role in Public Health?

Hand sanitizers gained popularity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The pandemic has led to more awareness regarding hand hygiene. The health care providers and government officials have emphasized the use of sanitizers time and again. Workplaces, households, and almost all public spaces did not have hand sanitizers till the pandemic to stop its spread and prevent its recurrence. Apart from the pandemic, hand sanitizers play a huge role in maintaining good public health. They reduce the infection rate in case of all infectious diseases.

What Are the Adverse Effects and Challenges Concerning Sanitizer?

The most common adverse effects include:

1. Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Dryness, itching, redness, and can lead to bleeding.

2. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: It can cause mild or severe respiratory distress, and other anaphylactic symptoms might also be present.

The various ways of damage due to the constant use of sanitizers include:

1. Denaturation of the proteins in the skin layer.

2. Alteration in the lipid contents.

3. Reduction in skin water binding capacity.

The various challenges concerning sanitizers are :

1. Ensuring proper quality of product and safety assurance: Numerous sanitizers developed during the pandemic session have been recalled because of contamination or quality control issues.

2. Antimicrobial resistance.

3. Advocating proper usage.

4. They are not effective in getting rid of all germs.

5. Hand sanitizers cannot be used when hands are visibly dirty.

6. Harmful chemicals cannot be removed by using hand sanitizer.

Though effective, they should not be advocated as a replacement for hand washing with water.

What Is the Proper Technique for Hand Sanitizer Usage?

The times when hand hygiene has to be practiced include:

1. Before and after food.

2. Before and after caring for a sick person.

3. After using the restroom.

4. After coughing, sneezing, and blowing one’s nose.

5. After touching garbage.

The correct procedure to use include:

1. Start by applying sanitizer to one’s hands.

2. Cover all the surfaces.

3. Rub hands together until they seem dry.

4. The whole process should take a minimal time of 20 seconds.

Conclusion

Hand sanitizers have evolved and become a common practice with the advent of newer and easy-to-use sanitizers. Sanitizers are used in all schools, workplaces, healthcare, and public spaces to reduce the risk of transmitting infections. They are very effective in their purpose. However, frequent usage may lead to dryness and contact dermatitis in some individuals. Also, they do not substitute traditional handwashing with soap and water; they are unable to sanitize visibly dirty hands, and chemicals on the hands; regardless, hand sanitizers will continue to be an important part of infection prevention, helping everyone without the hassle of looking for soap and water.