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Coronavirus: How harmful are disinfectants? And which ones really protect?

2020-10-29T10:08:59.427Z


In the fight against the virus, many people disinfect their homes, their hands and even their laundry, and sales have increased ninefold since the beginning of the pandemic. What really protects and what harms.


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Disinfectants are now available in all possible forms and designs in the drugstore.

And since the corona pandemic, they have also been more popular than ever before: Sales have increased almost ninefold.

There are disinfectants for laundry, for surfaces and for disinfecting hands.

Today we want to find out: Can I just use these disinfectants without hesitation?

And: What should I look out for when buying the products?

We buy three such products.

And want to know: where do people use so much disinfectant?

"When you're traveling, it's really useful to be able to swipe over like that."

"So I wash my hands first and then comes the disinfectant."

"Everywhere you go in and that is offered, you do it automatically"

"I work at the airport and there is not always time to wash my hands, and disinfectants are a quick alternative"

"When I'm on the road and have this with me, I use it of course, but in addition to washing my hands too."

"I try not to do it more than I absolutely have to, because it really damages the skin."

We ask the dermatologist Ragna von Pelchrzim

Reporter Chiara Kempers:


"Here in the drugstore I bought three products that are available everywhere for hand disinfection. One wipe, one spray and one hand gel."

Ragna von Pelchrzim, dermatologist:


"There is already the first problem with the wipes. For hand disinfection we require that you distribute at least three milliliters in your hands and distribute these substances in your hands for at least 30 seconds. You can do that with the Don't even make cloths, they aren't sufficiently soaked either. "

Reporter Chiara Kempers:


"If I buy such products, what should I ensure that they are in no way contained in the products?"

Ragna von Pelchrzim, dermatologist: 


"I don't know what you found in the spray. Substances containing chlorine are certainly not suitable for disinfecting the skin or hands. Otherwise, especially if hand disinfection is used more often, use as few fragrances and dyes as possible be contained in it. Here the one already lights up green.

Reporter Chiara Kempers:


"In winter, the hands are often already attacked and have so small cracks and marks. Is disinfectant harmful then, can it have the opposite effect because it intensifies it?"

Ragna von Pelchrzim, dermatologist: 


"Of course, your skin is always stressed. If the skin barrier is not intact from the start, as is the case with neurodermatitis sufferers or people with hand eczema, they naturally react faster than people with healthy hands."

Reporter Chiara Kempers:


"What about surfaces in the household, are normal cleaning agents sufficient?"

Ragna von Pelchrzim, dermatologist: 


"Yes, normal cleaning agents, cleaning agents containing vinegar or real chemicals are sufficient for you at home, but you don't need surface disinfection at home either."

Disinfectants can therefore be a useful substitute for hand washing when you are out and about.

Otherwise, at home: washing your hands with water, soap and normal cleaning agents is sufficient.

If you want to buy these products in the drugstore, you should make sure that they are "limited virucidal", then the whole thing also helps against the coronavirus.

Source: spiegel

All life articles on 2020-10-29

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