Anyone who has been in a child's play area has witnessed it. As the children come off of the play equipment, the mothers reach into their purse to grab their hand sanitizer. Each child gets a dab of sanitizer to rub into her hands in order to eliminate the germs that have been transferred to her skin. The hope is that this practice will keep the children, and therefore their families, healthier.
Hand sanitizers can now be found in the entrances to nursing homes and hospitals and in many public washrooms. We all know the importance of proper hand-washing in reducing harmful germ transmission. However, there are times when there is no access to soap and water or not enough time to wash thoroughly. Can a hand sanitizer serve as a suitable alternative to hand washing? Will using a hand sanitizer decrease your chance of getting sick?
How they work
Hand sanitizers were developed for use after washing hands or for those times when soap and water are not available. They are gels that contain alcohol in order to kill the germs present on the skin. The alcohol works immediately and effectively in order to kill bacteria and most viruses. Alcohol can be very drying to the skin, so most brands of sanitizers also contain a moisturizer to minimize skin dryness and irritation.
How much should you use?
To use hand sanitizers effectively, place a small amount, the size of your thumbnail, on the palm of your hand and rub it over your entire hand, including in your nailbeds. If the gel completely evaporates in less than 15 seconds, you have not used enough product.
Studies have begun to discover the benefits of hand sanitizers, as well as their limitations. Below is a summary of the latest research.
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