Ethyl Alcohol + Hydrogen peroxide + Glycerol
Indications
Ethyl Alcohol + Hydrogen peroxide + Glycerol is used to disinfect clean, intact skin. Surgeons and other staff use it for hand disinfection before an operation, and on the ward before aseptic procedures or after handling contaminated materials. It is also used to disinfect the patient's skin before surgery or other invasive procedures.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Glycerol is used as a humectant. Other emollients can be used for skin care instead, as long as they are cheap, widely available and mix with water and alcohol, and as long as they don't add to toxicity or promote allergy.
Hydrogen peroxide is there to inactivate any bacterial spores that have contaminated the solution. It is not an active substance for hand antisepsis.
Any further additive to either formulation should be clearly labelled and non-toxic if swallowed by accident. A colorant may be added so the solution can be told apart from other fluids, but it should not add to toxicity, promote allergy or interfere with the antimicrobial properties. Perfumes and dyes are not recommended because they carry a risk of allergic reactions.