How irritant are n-propanol and isopropanol? - A systematic review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The use of alcoholic-based hand rubs (ABHRs) is an important tool for hand hygiene, especially in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Possible irritant effects of ABHR may prevent their use by persons at risk of infection.

METHODS:

This systematic review is based on a PubMed search of articles published between January 2000 and September 2019 in English and German, and a manual search, related to the irritation potential of alcohol-based disinfectants restricted to n-propanol (1-propanol) and its structural isomer isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol, 2-propanol).

RESULTS:

The majority of the included studies show a low irritation potential of n-propanol alone. However, recent studies provide evidence for significant barrier damage effects of repeated exposure to 60% n-propanol in healthy, as well as atopic skin in vivo. The synergistic response of combined irritants, (ie, a combination of n-propanol or isopropanol with detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate) is greater, compared with a quantitatively identical application of the same irritant alone.

CONCLUSION:

While recent studies indicate a higher risk of skin irritation for n-propanol and isopropanol than reported in the past, this risk still seems to be lower than that for frequent handwashing with detergents, as recommended by some to prevent COVID-19 infections.

• Authors: Ramona Tasar, Cornelia Wiegand, Peter Elsner
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 84 Issue 1 Pg. 1-14 (Jan 2021) ISSN: 1600-0536 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33063847 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: © 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S . Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• 1-Propanol
• 2-Propanol

Topics

• 1-Propanol (adverse effects)
• 2-Propanol (adverse effects)
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (adverse effects)
• COVID-19 (prevention & control)
• Dermatitis, Irritant (etiology)
• Hand Disinfection (methods)
• Humans