A Comparative Study Between Honey and Alcohol as Topical Skin Disinfectant

Overview

Skin antisepsis is essential in every healthcare environment. Alcohol/chlorhexidine use might disrupt skin microbiota and lead to antibiotic resistance. This study investigates honey (being natural product with many beneficial therapeutic effects) as topical skin anti-septic agent and compares it with alcohol, in terms of effectiveness and safety.

Recent years' investigations of the co-evolution and functional integration of the human body and its commensal microbiota have disclosed that the microbiome has a major impact on physiological functions including protection against infections. Invasive procedures such as injections, punctures or surgeries penetrate the skin's natural protective barrier, which may allow pathogenic microorganisms to enter deeper skin layers and cavities and trigger infections there. Alcohols usually in the form of 70% isopropyl alcohol or 60 to 80% ethyl alcohol, are commonly used topical disinfectants. Despite being efficiently broad-spectrum antiseptic, Alcohol shows some local hazards affecting skin integrity and microbiome. Honey has been used in wound care since ancient. It has many beneficial therapeutic effects, including anti-microbia, antioxidant, immune-modulator, wound healing and synbiotic effects . Antimicrobial agents are important in reducing the burden of infectious diseases.

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