Hand sanitizers are beneficial to have as a backup plan when you cannot get to a sink and soap. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hand washing over using hand sanitizers. Still, hand sanitizers can help prevent the spread of diseases during circumstances where you cannot wash your hands. Due to the ingredients and increasing heavy usage of sanitizers in place of hand washing, there is fear that sanitizers will decrease your immunity to disease.
Function
The primary function of hand sanitizers is to kill germs. Hand sanitizers are also more convenient than hand washing. Unlike a sink of running water and soap, you can take a bottle of hand sanitizer with you anywhere. Hand sanitizers are used frequently in professions such as food and health industries. Still, the convenience of hand sanitizers replaces hand washing in some cases among the general public.
Benefits
Hand sanitizers help prevent the spread of diseases and can keep you from getting ill. According to Wesleyan University, sanitizing your hands after washing them can be more effective for disease prevention than just using soap and water. By killing germs on the spot, you reduce the chances of others becoming sick. Wesleyan University reports that this decreases the rate of absenteeism in schools and in the workplace.
Ingredients
The primary ingredient in hand sanitizers is alcohol. Medical News Today explains that alcohol destroys cellular walls of harmful viruses and bacteria. Once these walls are destroyed, the germs are killed instantly. The same effects can occur when using alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol from a bottle with a cotton ball. However, hand sanitizers provide the right amount of alcohol and skin-softening ingredients such as aloe so that you still benefit from the sanitizing effect without drying out your hands. According to Medical News Today, the body cannot become immune to alcohol.
Misconceptions
There is a misconception that the usage of hand sanitizers leads to a resistance to harmful bacteria and viruses. Medical News Today refutes that claim by stating that there is a lack of scientific evidence revealing any type of bacterial adaptations to hand sanitizers. There is also fear that sanitizers kill all "good" bacteria on the hands. It is true that the alcohol in hand sanitizers kills good bacteria. However, according to Wesleyan University, good bacteria grow back immediately after using the product, while harmful bacteria do not unless you come into contact with them. Hand sanitizers do not make your hands immune to viruses and bacteria once they come into contact with pathogens again.
Usage
Hand sanitizers should be used whenever you are unable to wash your hands. The CDC control recommends that you apply a small amount and rub, ensuring that the product reaches all over the hands and fingers. Allow the sanitizer to dry before eating and touching things with your hands. Keep in mind that hand sanitizers do not remove dirt from your hands. Therefore it is essential that you wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.
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