Using excessive Hand Sanitizers kills the good bacteria that help to keep your skin soft and healthy. These good microbiomes keep your skin disease-free. Although it's difficult to find how much sanitizers should be used and how much sanitizers is too much. But daily usage has numerous side effects.

In this COVID19 outbreak, we all are taking extra steps to stay safe that not only includes staying indoors but also stocking up on sanitizing sprays, gels, and antibacterial soaps.

But do you think that these hand sanitizers provide the best defense against bacteria and viruses?

Don’t know the reality Right but, companies are marketing these products labeled as “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial”. I have seen with the name “Immunity Boosting” and claim to keep us safe up to 99%.

So, let’s find out the answer,

How Useful are these Hand Sanitizers:

The moment we step out, we see sanitizers pumps, stations, and wipes almost everywhere from schools, hospitals, medical shops, billing counters, toy stores, brand stores, grocery stores, to even local vegetable shops.

People are taking the utmost care, especially when they are out with kids. Germs and Bacteria are everywhere! And we have been taught how crucial the handwashing is. It’s the best way to avoid getting sick.

But are these sanitizers do their job as good as a soap?

Proper handwashing is not possible every time. Like, when you are outside, in a playground, in a shopping store, riding in a car, we can’t wash our hands with soap and water. And at that point, we all have to rely on hand sanitizers.

And when it comes to the current pandemic situation, our government recommended the usage of sanitizers. But there are limitations and side effects of using them every day.

They’re useful in the hospitals to prevent us from the transfer of viruses and bacteria. But when you are out, you are vulnerable to catch the respiratory illness and infections, from coming in direct contact with the people who already have and sanitizers won’t do anything in those circumstances.

Alcohol-based Hand sanitizers don’t kill all types of germs. They are ineffective on germs like Norovirus and Clostridium difficile. They are unable to remove oil, dirt, or grease on hands and unable to fight against pesticides and other chemical residues. For all such cases, Soaps are the best!

When to avoid hand sanitizers:

As simple as that, wherever you find soap and water use that and avoid sanitizers. When your hands are visibly dirty, or you have touched chemicals, or hands are soiled or greasy then avoid sanitizers.

The CDC says soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing some types of germs.

Our body camouflaged with good and bad bacteria. You have to remove the bad bacteria, not good bacteria. Excessive use of sanitizers will kill good bacteria and replaced by harmful ones.

Daily Usage of Hand Sanitizer May Be Harmful:

According to studies found that hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration higher than 60% are only efficient at killing germs. Hand sanitizers are just a short term solution because it affects microbiomes in a few days, which can be bad for us.

Hand sanitizer with anti-bacterial ingredients may lead to the production of antibiotic resistance bacteria, according to the reports of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you use sanitizers every day, you might have noticed that your hands are becoming dry because of high alcohol content. To settle down this problem, we have to use heavy moisturizing lotion regularly.

If you aren’t using sanitizers as per the rules, you are at risk of alcohol poisoning. If someone gulps it, then it leads to serious health hazards. Children are possibly more at risk. They are likely to swallow that are scented, brightly colored, or when they see attractive packaging. Hence, it should be kept away from the reach of children and should be used under adult supervision.

Guys, Handwashing is Kind!

What is the best replacement for hand sanitizer?

COVID19 has been declared a pandemic by the Center Of Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), and practicing better hygiene levels helps to avoid spreading and catching germs and viruses. Ideally, to keep your hands clean, it’s recommended to use soap and water to wash hands for at least 20 seconds but, sometimes it’s not possible to get water and soap. So, what’s the alternative, Yes Hand Sanitizers. But, many stores are running short of stock and price-gouging.

Antiseptic Hand Wipes: 

They serve the same purpose but, don’t mistake with baby wipes and make sure you buy anti-bacterial type.

Alcohol Swab:

Swabs are 70% alcohol saturated pads which, you have seen usually used in laboratories before injections and generally sold in pharmacies.

Home Made Sanitizer:

You can also make your hand sanitizer with three readily available items. Since the alcohol percentage is significant and you are diluting the ingredients, so be careful with proportion. Use the same mentioned proportions. This recipe will give you at least 60% alcohol content. So, you need,

  • Rubbing alcohol with 91 or higher percentage. 
  • Aloe vera gel(plant extract or you can purchase from store)
  • Essential oil

Take 2/3 cup of the rubbing alcohol and combine it with 1/3 cup of the aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of the essential oil if desired.