We understand the temptation to grab one of those handy disinfectant wipes when you need to clean your hands, which, during the coronavirus era, is pretty much all the time. After all, wipes are convenient and they kill germs, so… why not, right?
We have even heard of people using them on their faces. But while disinfectant wipes can kill germs, that doesn't make them good for your skin.
What are disinfectant wipes?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a list of disinfectants, including wipes, that can kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Only two of the products on that list, Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist , were directly tested against SARS-CoV-2 and were specifically approved for COVID-19 in July 2020 by the EPA.
Other products are on the list because they are effective against a virus that is harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2 or because they are effective against another human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2, so experts assume they will inactivate the new coronavirus as well.
But that's on the surfaces. These products may or may not disinfect your hands.
Hand sanitizers work in 20 seconds . You rub, they dry their hands and they are already clean. Those wipes can have contact times of up to five minutes. Unless your hands remain damp for that period of time, they will not be completely disinfected.
And they are not designed to be used on your hands. Most surface disinfectants say to wear gloves or wash your hands after use. They are not meant for your face though .
We have the thickest skin on our hands. The face is completely different, plus we are putting on masks and our eyes, nose and everything else can get irritated. Even if a washcloth doesn't burn your skin, it could damage your eyes.
Wipes and other disinfectants are made for hard surfaces like glass, steel, and different countertops. Experts test these wipes by placing part of the organism on a glass slide, then treating it with a disinfectant wipe, and then placing the glass in an environment where the organism would normally grow.
What are the risks of using disinfectant wipes on your hands?
That depends on the ingredients of the product and the sensitivity of your skin. But consider these potential problems.
Wipes can cause skin irritation
Wet wipes are a very mixed bag, and they are made of different things. Some of them contain bleach, others have ammonium chloride , which is what many of the Clorox and Lysol products contain, and most have some percentage of alcohol.
Bleach is a well-known skin irritant, that is, substances that can cause harm to anyone, regardless of whether or not they have a specific allergy. One hundred percent do not use bleach on the skin.
Alcohol may be kinder, but just because a product says it contains ethanol (alcohol) does not guarantee that it is safe.
Contact dermatitis may appear
Sanitizing ingredients can also cause contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction to a certain substance. This happens more with fragrances and preservatives.
Research has shown that some preservatives found in wipes, including personal or cosmetic wipes, such as methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, can cause allergic reactions. These contact allergies appear to be on the rise, according to a January 2016 study in JAMA Dermatology.
Both irritation and contact dermatitis can present with similar symptoms.
The wipes will dry the skin, itch . They will cause redness on the hands, cracks in the skin like fissures on the fingertips, even sometimes small blisters, and that only invites more germs. The same can happen to your face. They are removing your skin barrier.
Alcohol-based disinfectants can cause some of the same problems, although not as easily as wipes because they evaporate so quickly.
Be especially careful if you already have a skin condition
If you have an open sore, eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin , you could have a very bad reaction to using these wipes to clean your hands.
What should you use the wipes for?
Surfaces, and many of them.
In the era of COVID-19, experts recommend frequent cleaning of frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, toilets, faucets, sinks, and electronic devices such as mobile phones and remote controls. Always follow the instructions on the label, which may in fact tell you to remove your gloves while using the product or to wash your hands immediately afterward.
Remember that cleaning is different from disinfecting . Cleaning reduces the risk of infection by removing dirt and germs. Disinfection actually kills germs using chemicals.
Is it dangerous to use disinfectant wipes on your hands or face?
Let's say you've had a known exposure to COVID-19 and there is no soap, water, or disinfectant available. In such an unlikely case, using a washcloth once on your hands probably won't hurt you much, as long as you don't touch your eyes. It is not clear if it will actually kill SARS-CoV-2.
The problem is, you still need to wash your hands as soon as possible afterward, and that includes if you're using your bare hands to clean a surface. These chemicals should not be left on the skin.
Definitely don't use the wipes routinely on your hands or face. And keep them away from children; your skin is even more delicate and sensitive. It goes without saying that you don't put wipes in your mouth either. As with everything else, you must follow the directions on the packaging.
