How safe is the use of hand sanitizer

Experts advise avoiding illness by washing your hands on a regular basis, and using hand sanitizer when a good scrub with soap and water isn't handy. But could using hand sanitizers do more harm than good? While hand sanitizers do kill germs, they also have a dark side that can cause other health problems.

They include:

1.       High concentration of Alcohol.

The reason why some of your sanitizers smell like vodka is because it  is high on alcohol content.

Hand sanitizers contain about 65 percent ethyl alcohol — pure alcohol — and some of it is absorbed into the skin. Research has found alcohol in the blood stream of people who used hand sanitizers, and children have been known to lick enough from their hands to become drunk. Alcohol from the sanitizers can also be absorbed through inhaling its vapors. Beware, look at the ingredients and check for the percentage of alcohol.

2.      Lowers the immune system.

Hand sanitizers may affect your immune system by killing good bacteria which keep disease-causing bacteria at bay

3.      It contains triclosan which is bad for the health.

If your sanitizer is low on alcohol content, then it must be high on triclosan. Triclosan is a powerful antibacterial agent which leads to resistance to traditional antibiotics when overused. This means that triclosan makes you more vulnerable to common diseases like cough and  cold.

4.      Fragrance.

That odor of sanitizers that you love so much is due to the inclusion of a compound called phthalates. These compounds easily leach into foods and then into your body. So using a sanitizer instead of soap before your meal might not be that good an idea. It can also affect fertility.

5.       Antibiotics resistance.

Hand sanitizers and similar products are increasing the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. If you still want to use a hand sanitizer, choose one that isn't labeled "antibacterial."

6.      Can damage the skin.

Continuous use of hand sanitizers will make your skin rough and you may face skin-related diseases. It is therefore advised to use a hand lotion immediately after using a sanitizer, so that it moisturizes your skin.

7.       Does not even clean all residues.

After using a hand sanitizer you might feel that your hands are clean, but it does not take off the entire residue. Things like fats and sugar deposits do not get affected or cleaned without the use of soap. So using it as a method to clean your hands after eating that yummy cheese popcorn will do you no good. In fact these residues tend to pick up more dirt, making your hands dirtier than before.

So, the next time you open your bag for the sanitizer, think again!

Disclaimer:

 The contents on this site are for informational purposes only. The Content is not meant to be an alternative for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ensure to seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health professional before starting any new program.

Source:

Quora

Newsmaxhealth

thehealthsite