Hand Sanitizer - What You Should Know

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the CenterFor Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds, scrubbing up to the wrist and under finger nails. Most of us do not wash our hands thoroughly enough to prevent germ transmission. When washing hands with soap and water isn't an option, the FDA and CDC recommend using a hand antiseptic, known as hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60% to be effective against germ transmission. Be sure to read label carefully, as many hand sanitizers with alcohol have a lower alcohol content to help prevent skin from becoming dry and damaged. Alcohol is necessary to prevent harmful germ transmission, but it is definitely harsh on the skin. To combat the drying effect of alcohol, many have added aloe and vitamin E which aid in healing and soothing the skin. Another, not so well known ingredient is called dimethione. Dimethicone, used in high end cosmetics is an emollient used to treat and prevent dry, rough skin. The key to dimethicone is that it helps not only to heal but prevent irritation of the skin. It can also be found in diaper rash ointments. Hand sanitizer can be found in spray, foam and gel forms. Gel takes a little more time to dry than foam and alcohol isn't fully effective until it is allowed to remain on the skin for 15 seconds, so I prefer gel to foam for this reason.

There are a couple of other chemicals used for antibacterial properties in hand antiseptics, Triclosan, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered as a pesticide, and Benzalkonium Chloride, which studies have shown promotes antibiotic resistance. Alcohol has been used safely for many years, so I prefer to stick with the tried and true, and the FDA and CDC recommendations.

We come in contact with germs everywhere. There are good and bad germs, and yes, we need both. Good germs, called "resistant flora" is helpful bacteria found on the skin and in our intestinal tracts. Good bacteria helps prevent bad bacteria from multiplying and making us sick. Bad bacteria, called "pathogens" cause disease, viruses and parasites. Although hand sanitizer as recommended by the FDA and CDC does kill both good and bad germs, I prefer knowing that any potentially fatal germs will not infect me.

The CDC recommends proper washing of hands or a hand antiseptic before cooking, eating, tending to a baby, assisting the elderly or those with compromised health, administering health medication, and inserting contact lenses. It is recommended that you wash or use hand antiseptic after using the bathroom, diaper changing, taking out garbage, picking up after a pet, coughing and sneezing, and handling raw food. Visit http://handsanitizergel.ca/

Cold and Flu season will be upon us before long, so do your own research and prepare, but remember, proper hand washing and/or hand sanitizer as recommended by the FDA and CDC should be practiced in our everyday life to prevent the many harmful bacteria causing potentially fatal diseases.

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