Products
Disinfectants are commercially available in the form of sprays, as solutions, gels, soaps and as soaked swabs, among others. A distinction can be made between products intended for use on humans (skin, mucous membranes) and those intended for objects and surfaces. In addition to medical devices, medicinal products are also approved. These include, for example, lozenges, mouth rinsing solutions, eye drops, mouth sprays, ointments and vaginal tablets.
Structure and properties
Disinfectants can be classified according to their chemical structure. For example, a distinction is made between alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, iodine compounds and phenols (see below, section on active ingredients).
Effects
Disinfectants have antiseptic (disinfecting) properties, i.e., they are effective against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They have bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal and sporocidal effects, among others. It is critical to know the spectrum of activity, because not all disinfectants kill all organisms. For example, not all disinfectants are active against noroviruses, and bacterial spores may be resistant. Unlike antibiotics, which selectively interact with a molecular target of pathogens, disinfectants exert their effects relatively nonspecifically, for example, by disrupting cell membrane function, denaturing proteins, forming free radicals, or causing oxidation.
Areas of application
Disinfectants are used for prevention on the one hand, but also for the treatment of infectious diseases on the other hand.
Dosage
According to the directions for use and package insert. Disinfectants are administered topically and not systemically. During application, care must be taken to ensure sufficient contact time. If this is not achieved, the effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. For hand disinfection, for example, 30 seconds is recommended. For certain viruses, depending on the substance, an exposure time of several minutes is required. After application, the exposure time must be waited for. Incidentally, for general hand hygiene and the prevention of disease transmission, hand washing with soap is preferred. Alcohol-based disinfectants are recommended as second-line agents.
Active ingredients (selection)
Aldehydes:
- Formaldehyde
- Glutaraldehyde
Alcohols:
- Dichlorobenzyl alcohol
- Ethanol, see also under glycerol alcohol 80% (own production).
- Propanol, isopropanol (propan-1-ol, propan-2-ol)
Bases:
- Sodium hydroxide
Boron compounds:
- Borax
- Boric acid
Chemical elements:
- Copper
- Silver
Quinoline derivatives:
- Chlorquinaldol
- Oxyquinoline
Chlorine compounds:
- Chlorine gas
- Dakin solution (sodium hypochlorite)
Dyes:
- Eosin
- Gentian violet
Guanidine derivatives, biguanides:
- Chlorhexidine
- Hexamidine
Iodine compounds:
- Iodine
- Povidone-iodine
N-heterocycles:
- Ethacridine
- Hexetidine
- Octenidine
Organic acids:
- Acetic acid, vinegar
Oxidizing agent:
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Dakin solution (sodium hypochlorite)
- Potassium permanganate
- Hydrogen peroxide
Phenols and derivatives:
- Cresol
- Eugenol
- Parabens
- Phenol
- 2-Phenylphenol
- Thymol
- Triclosan
Quaternary ammonium compounds:
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Benzethonium chloride
- Benzoxonium chloride
- Cetalkonium chloride
- Cetrimonium bromide
- Cetylpyridinium chloride
- Dequalinium chloride
- Octenidine
Oxygen compounds:
- Ozone
Note: Mercury and its compounds are toxic and are rarely used today.
Contraindications
Contraindications include (selection):
- Hypersensitivity
- For large, heavily soiled and deep wounds, as well as bite and puncture wounds, medical attention is required.
- Peroral therapy
- Application in the ear canal and in the eye
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Disinfectants may be incompatible with drugs, soaps, pus, and other disinfectants.
Adverse effects
Disinfectants can irritate the skin with repeated use, causing dry skin, redness, eczema, contact dermatitis, and skin cracking. For this reason, skin-conditioning substances are also added to them. Some disinfectants have allergenic properties and can cause allergic reactions. They can slow wound healing and should be used sparingly for wound treatment Finally, many disinfectants are harmful to the environment.
