Hand sanitizers have been, well, handy for a very long time in combatting bacteria, viruses, and disease. They elevate hygiene practices, protect vulnerable patients, and keep the spread of infections down. Still, even though they’ve become common, many people don’t fully understand hand sanitizers. Here are five common myths about hand sanitizers, debunked. This should shed a little light on these common misconceptions and provide clarity for healthcare professionals and their patients.
Myth 1: Hand Sanitizers Can Replace Handwashing
Fact: Hand sanitizers are effective at fighting germs but are not a replacement for soap and water.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do kill harmful germs, including bacteria and a few viruses. However, they are ineffective against certain pathogens like Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Dirt, grease, and organic residues also reduce hand sanitizer effectiveness, making its application pointless. So, for soiled hands, follow the good advice of parents everywhere: wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
Myth 2: All Hand Sanitizers Are Equally Effective
Fact: Sanitizers must have at least 60 percent alcohol content to be truly effective.
Most hand sanitizers use alcohol to kill germs. However, not all hand sanitizers contain enough alcohol to do so. With less than 60 percent alcohol content, hand sanitizers may be able to slow down germ growth but unable to kill off all germs. Check the label to ensure the hand sanitizer contains 60 percent or more alcohol. Otherwise, it won’t get the job done.
Myth 3: Hand Sanitizers Are Harmless to the Environment
Fact: Improper disposal of hand sanitizers can harm the ecosystem.
Hand sanitizers are great for killing germs. Unfortunately, that germ-killing capability is bad for the environment when sanitizer is incorrectly disposed of. Hand sanitizer in landfills can leach into the surrounding soil and groundwater, contaminating both. It can also harm or kill plant and animal life. For that reason, it’s important to follow proper disposal practices for hand sanitizer.
Myth 4: Using Hand Sanitizers Frequently Is Harmful to Your Skin
Fact: Modern sanitizers often include moisturizers to prevent skin irritation.
Certain products can dry out skin and causes rashes or blisters. Using some hand sanitizers, especially in excess, could lead to the above problems. Fortunately, higher-end hand sanitizers are made with aloe, glycerin, and other substances that protect and nourish the skin.
Myth 5: Hand Sanitizers Cause Antibiotic Resistance
Fact: Hand sanitizers kill germs in a way that does not lead to resistance.
This is a big misconception for alcohol-based sanitizers. While overuse of antibiotics has, in some cases, led to bacteria resistance, alcohol-based hand sanitizers destroy cell walls and kill bacteria so swiftly that there’s no time for germs to develop resistance to it. There are reports of bacteria developing tolerances to alcohol, meaning they can survive in it for slightly longer than before, but alcohol-resistant bacteria do not exist for now.
Those are five common myths about hand sanitizers, debunked. Hand sanitizers remain an essential part of the healthcare system and good hygiene in general. Use them wisely for good health!
