The Spanish authorities decided to ensure the safety of people using the local beaches and set up dispensers with disinfectant liquid on them. Doctors warn, however, that excessive use of this remedy may end badly for us.
Why? The point is that some disinfectants applied to the skin of the hands can – in contact with harsh sun – lead to skin burns.
“Avoid frequent hand washing with hydroalcoholic gel on the beach,” dermatologist Marta Frieyro told Las Provincias.
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Disinfectants plus sun – a dangerous combination
In a Wednesday issue of a Spanish newspaper, a specialist at a hospital in Marbella, in the south of the country, noted that alcohol-based disinfectants combined with intense sunlight, which a sunbather is prone to, can lead to excessive sunburn or skin burns.
“It is especially dangerous to use them on the beach for people with delicate skin, such as children,” added Dr. Marta Frieyro.
The risk of using hydroalcoholic gels stems from the fact that “their users are under the false impression that the substances they contain evaporate quickly”, explained the Spanish doctor.
Meanwhile, Madrid-based dermatologist Pilar Lopez Criado proposed “soap and water” as an alternative to hydroalcoholic gels on the beach. In an interview with the ABC daily, she indicated that such a hygiene solution is safer in very sunny areas.
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Another dermatologist, Pablo Montero, advises sunbathers to avoid excessive sun exposure due to ultraviolet rays that are harmful to the skin.
Since the beginning of June, many Spanish beaches have been opening hand disinfection points where holidaymakers can wash their hands. There are also more sensors detecting people with increased body temperature.
Marcin Zatyka (PAP)
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