SafeDes+ hand disinfectant removes microbes with a skin-friendly formula

Hands are typically involved in the transmission of bacteria and viruses to food and between humans. Thus, good hand hygiene is one of the most effective single actions to prevent contagion. The emphasis on hand hygiene is especially crucial in the healthcare sector due to the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Healthcare workers must therefore wash and disinfect their hands multiple times per day.

“Healthcare workers have more skin problems than the general population. A survey of those workers indicates that they tend to disinfect their hands less often than necessary due to pain and burning,” explains Almås.

SafeDes⁺ is a non-toxic, alcohol-free hand disinfectant with a broad-spectrum effect against viruses, bacteria and fungi.

“We have developed a hand disinfectant that is clinically documented to be safe, well-tolerated and non-drying on healthy or compromised skin. Our technology is based on a molecule produced by the body’s own immune system to eradicate unwanted microbes,” says Almås.

Here he is referring to hypochlorous acid, a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells in the body to fight infection. A natural, organic acid is added as a stabiliser.

SoftOx Solutions, the producer of SafeDes⁺, won the national tender to provide alcohol-free hand disinfectant to Norwegian hospitals.

Clinical studies have shown that SafeDes⁺ does not irritate the skin or cause pain to compromised skin.

“Our solution is gentle on damaged skin. A survey performed by SoftOx Solutions among healthcare workers with compromised or eczematous skin on their hands showed that 77 per cent noticed a positive change in their skin condition or disinfectant routines after using SafeDes⁺ for three weeks,” says Almås.

Furthermore, the solution is safe for humans and the environment. It is non-flammable and can be safely transported and stored. Another interesting aspect of this technology is related to indoor air quality. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are by-products of cleaning agents and alcohol-based disinfectants, which negatively affect indoor air quality.

High VOC levels may have short and long-term adverse health effects. Results from a big data analysis conducted by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment show that use of the SoftOx disinfectants reduced the level of VOC during the intervention period by 30 to 60 per cent compared with alcohol-based disinfectants.

The market for hand disinfectant has exploded in recent years, due in part to recommendations on hand hygiene from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, irritant contact dermatitis affects 25 to 55 per cent of nurses, and 85 per cent have had skin problems at some point. This represents a large population in need of effective, non-irritating hand hygiene products.

“We see an unmet need within hand disinfection. In an EXCITE report, it is estimated that by using SafeDes⁺, European and US hospitals can save up to USD 30 billion in costs associated with hand eczema,” says Almås.

SoftOx also delivers EffectDes^H, a surface disinfectant based on the same technology. Solutions for wound care and respiratory tract infections are under development.