Is Your Hand Sanitizer Really Killing Germs?
When my patients ask me what they can do to protect
themselves from the spread of germs, my answer is always the same, "wash
your hands with soap and water every chance you get." Why then is there
such a push toward the use of hand sanitizers? Studies show that using
alcohol-based hand sanitizers is a safe, effective method of disinfecting hands
between regular hand washing and should be used only as a supplement.
You see dispensers everywhere, in schools, hospitals, child
care centers, airports, and atop the gangways of cruise ships. I have to
confess I make instant hand sanitizers readily available in my office. In as
much as alcohol- based rubs are helpful in curbing the spread of germs on hands
that aren't visibly soiled there may be some concern regarding their use. I
tell my patients that there is good news and bad news when it comes to hand
sanitizers. Here's what I mean.
Pros and Cons for the Use of Hand Sanitizers
Not all brands of hand sanitizers are the same. A study
published in the journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases disclosed that at
least one brand did not contain the necessary 60 percent alcohol needed to kill
harmful bacteria and viruses. The concentration of ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or
some variation should be between 60 and 95 percent in order to be effective so
be sure to read the label before buying the product. Most brands of hand sanitizers
look alike, same bottle, pump and price.
Hand sanitizers are not recommended in place of soap and
water because alcohol doesn't cut through grime, so dirt, blood, feces or other
soil should be washed away first. If soap and water is not available, of
course, alcohol-based rubs are a healthy precaution. For instance, if you
sneeze in the car, or you are immobile, or you stop to put in contact lenses by
all means use your hand sanitizer. Studies have shown that micro-organisms are
much more prevalent on phone receivers, computer keyboards, and desk tops so
using a hand sanitizer in this situation is a good idea.
As a dermatologist, I caution my patients to be careful not
to overuse sanitizers because they can dry out the skin due to their alcohol content.
If you have dry, cracking skin you should avoid using an alcohol based product
until your skin has healed since it may only exacerbate your condition. If
bacteria get into the cracks of your skin it can lead to infection.
Knowing how much to use is important too. Use enough gel to
cover your hands thoroughly on all sides. The rule of thumb is if your hands
dry within 10 to 15 seconds you haven't used enough. If you are a parent or
grandparent, you may want to consider using hand sanitizers on children only
when necessary and always keep alcohol-based gels out of children's reach.
Keep in mind that any product containing alcohol is
flammable and should not be stored or used anywhere near heat or fire. Make
sure your hands are completely dry before using a cigarette lighter or other
lighting device.
Germ Killing Soaps
The major objective of using hand sanitizers is to kill
germs before they can spread or make you sick.
There are a number of household products containing
germ-killing ingredients in addition to alcohol-based gels and creams. You see
ads everywhere for anti-bacterial hand soap, dishwashing liquid, cleaning
fluids, and many more. It is estimated that more than 700 antimicrobial-infused
products are on the market all claiming to keep you safe from viruses, colds,
and flu.
If you are confused about what to buy to protect yourself
and your family from harmful bacteria you are not alone. Let's take a look at a
few terms and their function to help you sort out which product is best for the
job.
o Antimicrobials - a general term for an ingredient that
kills bacteria, viruses, or molds.
oAntibacterials - only effective against bacteria
o Disinfectants - products that kill micro-organisms
(usually both bacteria and viruses) on surfaces like countertops
o Antiseptics - products for use on skin for cuts and
scrapes
In 2005, an FDA advisory panel of experts decided that
antibacterial soaps were no more effective than regular soap and water in
fighting infections. Most soap contains an ingredient called triclosan that
kills bacteria but has little or no effect on viruses. It's important to note
that not all microbes are bad for us. Beneficial microbes are helpful to our
digestive tract and are needed to help our blood to clot when we get a cut.
There is some speculation that limited exposure to bacteria in the environment
actually helps to develop your immune system.
Always read the label and be careful when buying a product
that claims to have germ killing ingredients.
There are a number of alternative antimicrobials available
that are also non-toxic:
o Vinegar and borax are excellent agents for cleaning but
will not disinfect.
o Tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract are often used as
disinfectants and are used as ingredients in some commercial products.Visit http://handsanitizergel.ca/
o Hydrogen peroxide is one of the safest disinfectants on
the market and can be purchased as an over the counter antiseptic. Be sure that
the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is not more that 3 percent. A higher
percentage is dangerous and should not be used for this purpose.
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