Advantages and Disadvantages of CHG Disinfectant Cotton Swabs

Advantages

• Good disinfection effect: CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and can effectively kill a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, including common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. It has a good effect on preventing and controlling infections. Moreover, its disinfection effect is long-lasting, and the protective film formed on the skin or object surface can inhibit the growth of microorganisms for a long time.
• Less irritating: Compared with traditional disinfectants like iodine tincture and alcohol, CHG disinfectant cotton swabs are relatively less irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. They cause less pain and discomfort during use, making them suitable for people with sensitive skin, such as children and the elderly. They can also be used for disinfection of mucous membranes in the oral cavity, nasal cavity and other areas.
• Convenient to use: CHG disinfectant cotton swabs are individually packaged, which is convenient for carrying and storage and can be used at any time. The operation is simple. Just open the package, take out the cotton swab and wipe the disinfected area. There is no need to prepare additional disinfection tools or conduct complicated preparations.
• Good compatibility: CHG disinfectant cotton swabs have good compatibility with most medical supplies and materials. They will not cause corrosion or damage to metals, plastics, rubber, etc. They can be used for disinfection of various medical devices and equipment, and can also be used in combination with other drugs or dressings without affecting each other’s performance and effects.

Disadvantages

• Allergy risk: Some people may be allergic to CHG. After using it, they may experience allergic reactions such as skin redness, itching, and rashes. In severe cases, they may even have difficulty breathing or anaphylactic shock. Therefore, it is necessary to know the user’s allergy history before use, and it is prohibited for those known to be allergic.
• Limited disinfection efficacy: Although CHG disinfectant cotton swabs have a good killing effect on common microorganisms, their disinfection effect on certain viruses, such as hepatitis B virus and HIV, may be limited and cannot completely replace professional virus inactivators.
• Residue problem: CHG may leave residues on the skin or object surface after use. Long-term or excessive use may lead to the accumulation of residues. These residues may have adverse effects on the skin, such as causing dryness and desquamation, and may also interfere with some test or experimental results.
• Relatively high price: Compared with ordinary disinfectant cotton swabs, CHG disinfectant cotton swabs usually have a relatively higher price due to their special disinfection components and production processes. To some extent, this may limit their wide use in some scenarios that are more cost-sensitive.