In today ‘ s growing focus on sanitation, alcohol sterilization is widely used because of its ease. However, the notion that “alcoholization can be used in all articles and parts of the body without taboos” is wrong. Understanding the correct extent of and taboos on the use of alcohol is essential to our health and safety.
Alcohol disinfection is based on the elimination of micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses by degenerating proteins. Normally, we use 75% of our medical alcohol, which minimizes excessive damage to exposed substances and human tissues while ensuring disinfection. However, the material of the different articles and the physiological characteristics of different parts of the human body determine that alcohol disinfection is not a panacea.
First look at the objects. Many people think that alcohol can wipe out electronics at will, such as mobile phones, tablets, etc. Although alcohol can be decontaminated, the screens of these electronic products usually have a special coating, such as oil spills. Frequent use of alcohol wipes may gradually dissolve this coating, leading to problems of scratching, blurring, and impact on performance and life expectancy. Some plastics are also not suitable for alcohol disinfection. For example, certain low-quality plastics may undergo chemical reactions after exposure to alcohol, leading to plastic deformation, discoloration and even release of harmful substances. Like some children ‘ s toys, if parents spray alcohol blindly, children may ingestion harmful substances into their bodies and endanger health.
In the area of furniture, some leather products may become hard and fractured by exposure to alcohol. For example, high-quality leather couches, whose beauty and comfort can be significantly reduced and their useful life reduced if often wiped with alcohol. For some varnished furniture, alcohol can corrosive the varnish, leaving the furniture out of light.
Look at the body again. The eye is a very sensitive part, and it must not be disinfected with alcohol. Alcohol irritation can cause serious damage to the eye membranes and corneas, causing severe eye pain, blurred vision and even permanent visual damage. The internal mucous membranes of the nasal cavity are also fragile and can be wiped or sprayed directly with alcohol, giving rise to a strong sting, disrupting the normal physiological function of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, affecting the filtration and humidization of the nasal cavity and possibly causing nasal inflammation.
The ears are also not free to disinfect with alcohol. Drum membranes in particular, alcohol can stimulate the drum membranes, cause pain, sound and other discomforts, and can even cause perforation of the drum membranes when severe. Private parts such as genitals, skin mucous membranes and sensitivity, alcohol irritation may cause local allergies, reds, itchism, etc., disrupt the acid balance and normal fungus environment of private parts and increase the risk of infection.
Among special groups, the taboo of alcohol disinfection requires more attention. Pregnant women are careful to use alcohol for disinfection. The response to irritation may be more sensitive because the pregnant woman has a special physical condition. Alcohol may influence foetal development through placentas after skin absorption. Infants and young children have thin skins and alcohol is easily absorbed through their skins, which can lead to serious consequences such as alcohol poisoning. Thus, when a baby is sterilized, such as a bottle, a nipple, etc., it is necessary to ensure that the alcohol is fully volatilized and that, as far as possible, alcohol is used to wipe the child ‘ s skin.
So, how do you use alcohol properly? For articles that are suitable for sterilisation of alcohol, such as metal surfaces, glass products, etc., 75% of the alcohol can be poured on a clean cotton ball or gauze, lightly wipes the surface of the object, and is well ventilated, so that the alcohol can volatilize as soon as possible. In medical facilities such as hospitals, medical personnel use alcohol disinfection in strict accordance with operational procedures, avoiding sensitive areas such as the patient ‘ s eyes, nasal cavity, etc., and when disinfecting skin, they select the appropriate concentration and method according to different treatment needs.
In general, alcohol disinfection has its specific scope of application and numerous taboos. We need to move away from the false notion of “alcoholism without taboos” and to use it in a scientific and rational manner in order to avoid the harm caused by its misuse while safeguarding its effects.
