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Why preservative-free is so important
First of all: all products in the Polli range are free from preservatives and are manufactured in certified URSAPHARM quality. We would like to explain below why this is so important.
Benzalkonium chloride as the most common preservative
In general, pharmaceutical preservatives are primarily used to maintain the shelf life of medicines or medical devices even after opening by killing a wide range of germs. The most commonly used preservative is benzalkonium chloride, which can be found in low concentrations in many eye drops and nasal sprays. This preservative has disinfectant properties and works reliably against bacteria, among other things.
However, preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride are unfortunately considered allergy triggers themselves and, in the worst case, can lead to damage to the cornea and mucous membranes.why preservative-free products are so important
Effects on the eyes
Preserved eye drops impair the tear film of the eye and significantly disrupt its function. The tear film ruptures at one point or another, which can be the cause of dry eye syndrome (sicca syndrome).
In addition, contact with benzalkonium chloride damages the cornea down to the deeper cell layers. Subsequent eye drops can therefore generally no longer work where they are supposed to, but also penetrate into the deeper layers. This can lead to an unintended intensification of the effect, but can also result in other pronounced side effects.
Effects on the nose
Our nose has many functions. One is to support our immune system by catching a large proportion of germs and pathogens in the cilia and transporting them out of the body via the secretions. However, this important function is disrupted by the use of preserved nasal sprays: clogged cilia can no longer fulfil their task, which severely disrupts the self-cleaning mechanism of the nasal mucosa. In the worst case scenario, damage to the nasal mucosa can occur.
Although there are many indications that benzalkonium chloride has negative effects on various bodily functions, some manufacturers of allergy products still use preservatives to increase the shelf life of their products. Although there is another way!
Preservative-free and well tolerated - the Polli concept
Polli - the allergy concept shows the way: all Pollival® and Pollicrom® brand eye drops and nasal sprays are preservative-free! And the quality remains the same, even after opening. This is made possible by special containers that prevent the penetration of germ-laden ambient air. In this way, the addition of preservatives is simply superfluous.