Do We Need to Think About Using Sanitizer ?

In this pandemic stage of corona, we the people are more conscious about personal hygiene, for that we used soap-water, and  alcohol based hand sanitizer, recommended alcohol percentage 60-95, below 60 percent alcohol content does not help for germs resistance. Not all hand sanitizers are created equally. Check the bottle for active ingredients. The alcohol content may be in the form of ethyl alcohol, ethanol or isopropanol. All of those are acceptable forms of alcohol. Be certain that no matter which type of alcohol is listed, its concentration is between 60 and 95 percent.  Alcohol content of less than 60 percent isn't enough to be effective.

                        Some products marketed to the public as antimicrobial hand sanitizers are not effective in reducing bacterial counts on hands. In the course of a classroom demonstration of the comparative efficacy of hospital-grade antimicrobial soap and alcohol-based sanitizers, a product with 40% ethanol as the active ingredient was purchased at a retail discount store. Despite a label claim of reducing "germs and harmful bacteria" by 99.9%, the research has found an apparent increase in the concentration of bacteria in handprints impressed on agar plates after cleansing.

                                             Meanwhile, one of the.research has found that hand sanitizers containing 60-95 percent alcohol must be kept out of reach of children. Accidental consumption of hand sanitizers in children may lead to vomiting and abdominal pain, and may further require medical treatment. Besides this, inhaling the sanitizer or entry of it into the eyes may cause breathing problems and irritation to the eyes. Hence, it is best to keep children away from hand sanitizers, especially those below 5 years of age.

And more limitations of hand sanitizers are listed below, and it will help you select the right one,

1.Moreover, try to avoid the sanitizers that contain triclosan - a synthetic element added to antibacterial products. It has been noted that exposure to a high dose of triclosan can decrease some thyroid hormones making bacteria resistant to antibiotics(e times )

2.Sanitizer is a little too good at killing bacteria and that is how it keeps us safe from a variety of illnesses. But another aspect of this is, sanitizer can affect the body's microbiomes in a few ways, which can be bad for us. Sanitizer kills off the bacteria that are beneficial for our body, which in turn can wreak havoc in our healthy bacterial community. The only solution to this is that people should use hand sanitizer with caution and only when they don't have access to soap and water.

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3.If you are using hand sanitizer every day, you might have noticed your hands have become incredibly dry. The alcohol in hand sanitizer can dry out your skin, but this can be fixed by using hand moisturizer and staying hydrated. Or simply opt for soap and water to clean your hands.

4 .The high alcohol content of most hand sanitizers makes it flammable. Therefore, people should be careful and keep it away from candles and gas appliances. Do not place hand sanitizers or use them while grilling foods.

                                     Hand sanitizers are not cleaning agents and are not meant as a replacement for soap and water, but as a complementary habit. Sanitizers are most effective when used in conjunction with diligent hand-washing.

Source

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/this-is-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-use-hand-sanitizer-every-day/photostory/75600580.cms

https://www.safespaceco.com/alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers/#:~:text=Disadvantages%20of%20Alcohol%2DBased%20Hand%20Sanitizers,infection%2C%20and%20even%20alcohol%20poisoning.

https://www.thestreet.com/markets/5-hidden-dangers-of-hand-sanitizers-12966410

https://www.lifehack.org/288545/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-use-hand-sanitizer-anymore