In medical practices, hospitals and care facilities, hand sanitiser is one of the most effective ways to help prevent or control infectious diseases. Hands should also be disinfected properly at home or on the go when there is a risk of infection. Hand sanitisers are also used, for example, in industrial food production, where hygiene rules require proper and regular hand disinfection. Harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, bacterial spores, fungi and viruses are often transmitted by hands. Hygienic hand disinfection therefore helps prevent infection and protect patients and practice staff. When buying a hand sanitiser, always check its composition and intended use. For people with allergies, we recommend fragrance-free hand sanitisers. Products that are gentle on the skin and have a re-fatting effect are particularly useful when hand sanitiser is used frequently. If you would like advice before buying, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Which Hand Sanitisers Are Effective Against Viruses?

Always use professional hand sanitisers to disinfect your hands thoroughly after contact with viruses, bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Viruses are classified according to their resistance to disinfectants based on whether they have an envelope. Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane and can be released from the host cell by budding. The envelope is relevant to how viruses enter cells and how stable they are when exposed to environmental conditions. It enables changes to the virus surface and helps viruses evade the host’s immune defences. Examples include coronaviruses and influenza viruses, as well as HIV, Ebola virus and West Nile virus. Non-enveloped viruses must leave an infected cell by destroying the host cell, and their central capsid is not surrounded by a membrane. Compared with enveloped viruses, they are more resistant to chemical and physical processes and other environmental influences. Typical examples include enteroviruses, noroviruses, rotaviruses and adenoviruses. Disinfectants have different efficacy spectra depending on the type of virus.

• The lipid envelope of enveloped viruses is sensitive and can be readily destroyed by alcohols. Disinfectants labelled “limited virucidal” are used for this purpose.
• Hand sanitisers labelled “limited virucidal PLUS” inactivate all enveloped viruses as well as non-enveloped adenoviruses, rotaviruses and noroviruses. They can be used throughout the year because they inactivate pathogens that occur more frequently in certain seasons. In the event of persistent outbreaks, switch to a disinfectant labelled “virucidal”.
• Disinfectants labelled “virucidal” inactivate both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Non-enveloped viruses are more resistant to environmental influences and require particularly powerful disinfectants.

Two products in the Sterillium range – Sterillium and Sterillium classic pure – also meet the requirements for the “limited virucidal PLUS” efficacy spectrum.

Instructions for Hygienic Hand Disinfection

An estimated 80% of infections are transmitted by hands contaminated with germs. However, mistakes are often made when using hand sanitiser. Here is how to disinfect your hands correctly and use hand sanitiser properly:

• Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean towel. Hand sanitiser should only be applied to dry skin. Important: hand disinfection is clearly more effective than washing. Washing your hands too often reduces skin moisture and damages the skin barrier, which can promote irritation and hand eczema. Wash your hands only when they are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers often contain re-fatting and skin-friendly ingredients to care for stressed skin at the same time.
• Apply enough hand sanitiser to the palm of your hand and wet all surfaces of both hands. Rub your palms together. Make sure you also rub disinfectant over your wrists.
• To disinfect your hands properly, rub your right palm over the back of your left hand, then repeat with the other hand.
• Next, rub your palms together with your fingers spread.
• Interlace your fingers and rub the back of each finger against the opposite palm. Do not forget your thumbs; enclose each thumb in the opposite palm as you rub.
• To finish, bring the fingertips of your right hand together and rub them into your left palm, then repeat with the other hand.

Where possible, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers without fragrance or colourants, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Observe the contact time and use the hand sanitiser at the correct concentration.

Buy Hand Sanitiser in Switzerland | AcuMax Practice Supplies

Hand sanitisers are available in different container sizes and formulations to suit different needs and skin sensitivities. For people with allergies, we recommend fragrance-free hand sanitiser. Once you know which product is right for you, you can buy hand sanitiser online. The AcuMax Switzerland online shop offers a wide range of hand sanitisers at attractive prices. If you have questions or are unsure which hand sanitiser is right for you, contact us before buying. We will be happy to advise you. You can also order your hand sanitiser from us by telephone.