We are in the middle of summer, to remind us, in addition to the increasingly urgent desire to go on vacation, there are also the record temperatures that touch 40 degrees which make the days more tiring. Before leaving for the holidays, however, you need to pay attention to all those situations that favor the spread of pathogens and could endanger people’s health. 

Days spent under umbrellas, sun loungers where you can lie down and sunbathe often very close to each other, tables, benches, deck chairs, and other objects available to bathers, crowded spaces, and frequent direct contact with surfaces; these are all typical situations of holidays in our country which, however, multiply the opportunities for contagion and increase the risk of infection. 

Therefore, even on the beach and in bathing establishments, correct sanitization remains one of the most effective and strategic measures available to make places safer and allow regular activities to take place. 

We at AMIL Care think it is important to dedicate an article to the subject, useful for those responsible for the hygiene and safety of bathing establishments. 

The most common infections under the umbrella

Although these are mostly outdoor environments, bathing establishments are characterized by a large influx of people potentially exposed to the risk of contracting an infection. In recent years, unfortunately, we have learned to protect ourselves from SARS-CoV-2, but the Covid-19 disease is not the only risk for those who choose to spend their holidays by the sea. In fact, there are various viruses and bacteria that nestle in the sand, on the deck chairs, between the beds, in the walkways, and in the showers, and which cause a series of diseases. 

What are we talking about specifically? 

  • Skin infections = such as impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects children. The causative agents implicated are group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and more rarely Staphylococcus aureus. The infection spreads rapidly by self-injection with fingers or towels causing the lesions to spread to nearby or distant areas.;
  • Mycoses= Cutaneous mycoses of fingers and toes are fungal infections caused by the agents T. Rubrum and T. Interdigitalis. Also, in this case, we are dealing with very contagious infections favored by direct contact, by frequenting public places, and by poor compliance with good hygiene standards;
  • “Beach fungi” = Pityriasis Versicolor is a very common dermatomycosis caused by a yeast of the genus Malassezia, present in the microbial flora of the skin of all healthy subjects. In some situations, however, this yeast passes from the saprophytic (inactive) form to the opportunistic (active) one causing the appearance of patches on the skin that change color depending on the stage of the disease. Among the factors that contribute to this passage are high temperatures, variations in skin pH, and poor hygiene.

Safe at sea: the Ministry’s Guidelines

Ensuring correct sanitization in contexts such as bathing establishments therefore becomes a necessity to correctly prevent the spread of pathogens and protect people’s health. An approach that is also reaffirmed by the Ministry of Health which drafted the “Guidelines for the resumption of economic and social activities” in April 2022, containing the provisions to be implemented to ensure the safe conduct of activities. Among these: correct information on the prevention measures to be respected, which can also be understood by people of different nationalities; possession of the Covid-19 green certification in all contexts where it is required by law; respiratory tract protection with surgical mask and FFP2 in the environments indicated by the standards; the provision of hand solutions in the premises to promote hygiene; the frequent sanitization of all environments, with particular attention to the common areas and the most frequently touched surfaces; the reinforcement of natural air exchange or through mechanized systems in closed environments. 

Sanitize and disinfect: keywords for prevention in bathing establishments

In addition to the general measures that must be implemented by all activities, specific rules can also be found in the Guidelines for individual sectors, including that of bathing establishments which affects equipped beaches but also free beaches. Between these: 

  • Privilege access to establishments by booking.
  • Favor electronic payment methods, possibly during the booking phase.
  • Reorganize the spaces, to guarantee access to the plant in an orderly manner, in order to avoid queues and gatherings of people. If possible, organize separate routes for entry and exit.
  • Promote, as far as possible, the expansion of shaded areas to prevent gatherings, especially during the hottest hours.
  • Regular and frequent sanitation of common areas, changing rooms, cabins, showers, toilets, etc., in any case ensured after the closure of the facility.
  • Equipment such as sunbeds, deck chairs, umbrellas, etc. must be disinfected at each change of person or household, and in any case at the end of the day.
  • As far as free beaches are concerned, the importance of information and individual accountability on the part of patrons is reiterated in adopting behaviors that respect the prevention measures.

AMIL Care: safety in every sector

For correct and effective sanitation, you need certified, specific, and reliable tools. The consolidated experience of AMIL Care in this field has led to the development of systems able to respond to different needs and offer optimal results in all fields. The Medisystem system, made up of a range of micro-nebulizing devices and a series of chemical solutions mainly based on hydrogen peroxide also developed by the company, allows you to reach even the most critical points of the environment to be disinfected and acts on the major multidrug-resistant pathogens. The effectiveness of its production process is certified in all phases and meets the strictest standards, such as electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety and the result is simple (non-corrosive / no residue), safe, and with documented effectiveness.