Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by new coronavirus, meet 70% alcohol gel it has been complicated in several cities in Brazil.
In some places where it is still possible to find alcohol in gel, the price rose according to demand.
For alcohol to be an efficient ally in combating infectious agents, it must have an ethanol grade above 70%.
The process of eliminating biological agents using ethanol is called sterilization, since when we use 40% domestic alcohol, it is not efficient to kill, but to disinfect and clean surfaces.
How is 70% alcohol gel made?
The 70% of the alcohol gel label means that for every 100 ml of the product, 70 ml is of ethanol, which is the base of this product.
The remaining 30% comprise water and thickeners, which give the gel texture. When it is for use on the body, some companies also use fragrances and moisturizing agents to avoid drying out the skin.
You might ask yourself: why dilute ethanol in water if the stronger it is, the more efficient it would be?
The 70% alcohol water, not only the gel but also the liquid, is extremely important because it reduces the risk of causing fires from 100% ethanol and can prevent serious accidents.
Water also causes ethanol to evaporate more slowly and this prolongs the action of alcohol on surfaces and in our hands.
Is liquid alcohol the same as alcohol in gel?
Both liquid and gel alcohol have the same sterilizing properties.
The consistency in gel was created to facilitate use in the hands, avoiding waste and to have greater control over the product, since, even on a smaller scale, it remains flammable.
Why is 70% alcohol gel so effective?
Alcohol 70% has been the main weapon used as an antiseptic in hospital environments for many centuries.
Ethanol acts on the cell wall of the virus, denatures proteins and destroys lipids, killing the infectious agent, in the case of COVID-19, the new coronavirus.
Upon reaching the virus coat, ethanol manages to eliminate 99.9% of them, leaving the surface and/or your hands sterilized.
This is the reason why 70% alcohol gel, along with good hygiene habits, is recommended as a prevention for infection by the new coronavirus.
What to do if I cannot find 70% alcohol gel to buy?
As we saw above, 70% alcohol gel destroys the lipids in the layer that coats the virus.
Lipid is a type of fat, and we have other substances that can destroy lipids very efficiently, can you imagine any?
Surfactants! “But… I don't know what surfactants are?” you may be wondering.
Surfactants are cleaning agents that are present in detergents, liquid and bar soaps, soaps and shampoos.
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That's why we use dishwashing detergents and soaps to get that gooey feeling off our skin after a lot of play or a tiring day at work.
Alcohol gel 70% should be used to supplement your protection, if you can use it, use it! But don't despair if you don't find it in your city.
The most effective measure you can take to prevent coronavirus is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water several times a day!
Keep your hands clean and avoid contact with shared objects and people with symptoms of COVID-19.
I saw a homemade recipe for alcohol gel and one for herbal mixtures, do they really work?
When the crisis of a new disease that still does not have a proven efficacy medicine begins, we see several recipes appearing on the Internet to solve the problem. Be careful!
Many deceptions propagated on the Internet can lead people to trust a solution that has no proof that it is really effective.
This leaves people even more unprotected because they usually fail to follow official recommendations.
Homemade combinations can be dangerous to your health and cause allergies and skin inflammation, called dermatitis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most effective method to fight COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is to keep your hands very clean and avoid social contacts, especially if you have any symptoms of the disease.
Do you know how to wash your hands properly?
- Wet your hands in running water, turn off the faucet and put soap on your hands.
- Rub hands together until you get lather. It's important to remember to rub not only the palm of your hand, but also the back, between all of your fingers and under your nails. WHO recommends that this step take the time necessary for you to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice, around 20 seconds.
- Thoroughly rinse your hands with clean, running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or tissue.
- And now it's time to use the alcohol gel if you have it available.
See below the explanatory video prepared by BBC News on how to wash your hands properly!
Tips for using 70% alcohol gel
Even using alcohol gel 70, when you are in the middle of a pandemic, it is important to take some precautions:
- The effectiveness of alcohol gel 70% is greater when there is no dirt on the skin, that is, its use does not replace washing hands with soap and water periodically.
- Prefer gel alcohol with a pump valve, the one you press and the product comes out, as it offers less risk of contamination.
- Note the validity of the product you already have at home, if alcohol gel is opaque it is because the ethanol has already evaporated and only the gel remains, it will not be effective.
On top of this, remember to be supportive of other people. It's no use buying all the alcohol gel in the world for your home.
A person with several pots of 70% alcohol gel who is surrounded by people who don't have access to it, is much less protected than if everyone had access to at least one bottle of alcohol gel 70%.
It's time to be aware and responsible, buy only what is necessary for our family and keep the whole society safe!
See too:
- New Coronavirus - What is it, causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis
- Coronavirus - Elderly and others from the risk group should be quarantined
- Coronavirus – 6 Myths and False Tips on Fighting COVID-19
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