The fear of contracting a disease was not as present for a long time as it has been since the first appearance of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in December last year. This is particularly evident in the sell-out of hand disinfectants in all supermarkets and drugstore chains. The citizens are quite right: no other measure can more effectively prevent the spread of infections – perhaps with the exception of complete, temporary isolation. The most effective protection against pathogens is alcoholic hand disinfection, as Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis impressively demonstrated around 1848 [1]. Therefore, this form of hand disinfection should always be preferred to hand washing or additionally applied several times a day.

Unfortunately, this constant cleaning is a great strain on the skin. The most common hazards of hand disinfection are

• Degreasing of the skin
• Drying of the skin
• pH value shift
• allergic skin reactions
• Destruction of the barrier function

Hands become dry, cracked and brittle after regular use. Therefore, to regenerate the skin barrier, a fast-absorbing care product, such as Spirularin® Gel or Spirularin® Mousse plus, should be used after each hand disinfection.

Spirularin® products contain the unique microalgae active ingredient Spiralin®, which is extracted from the microalgae Spirulina platensis by a patented process. The extraordinary feature of this algae is the special defence properties it has developed during evolution against its natural enemies such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. These antimicrobial properties [2,3] can protect the skin from germs. Further contained caring ingredients such as vegetable betaine, coconut oil or aloe vera moisturize the skin and keep it soft and smooth.

Conclusion
The most effective protection against pathogens is alcoholic hand disinfection. Unfortunately, this constant cleaning is a great strain on the skin and can severely disrupt the barrier function by drying out and shifting the pH value. In order to bring this back into balance, the application of a fast-absorbing care product, such as Spirularin® Gel or Spirularin® Mousse plus, is suitable after every hand disinfection. Thanks to the micro-algae active ingredient Spiralin® with its antimicrobial properties, the skin can be protected from germs and the skin barrier can be brought back into balance. Other plant ingredients also moisturize the hands and protect them from drying out.

For further Information:
ocean pharma GmbH 
Dieselstraße 6 
DE-21465 Reinbek 
www.ocean-pharma.de

Literature: 

1. Semmelweis IP: Die Ätiologie, der Begriff und die Prophylaxe des Kindbettfiebers. Pest u. a., 1861.

2. Reich K Alleskönner Mikroalge – neue Daten deuten auf vielfältige

Einsatzmöglichkeiten als Wirkkosmetik. Kos Med 2011; 32(2): 70 – 73.

3. Ästhetische Dermatologie 6/13, Produkt des Jahres 2013.