As we already know that people have become more aware of their hygiene nowadays. You must have noticed that people are becoming fonder of using hand sanitizers. But the question arises is that are they safe and effective means of cleanliness?

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Well, it is observed that washing hands with soap & water has been proven to reduce the all types of germs & chemicals. Therefore, hand washing with soap and water is more effective than using hand sanitizers as former also removes the debris that hand sanitizer leaves behind with least side effects.

We have heard a lot about Alcohol based hand sanitizers that are especially designed to reduce the microbes on hands in certain situations. It is vital to know that these sanitizers don’t eliminate all types of germs. There can be several reasons for this, it is observed that generally people may ignore the instructions given on the sanitizer bottle like not to use large amount of sanitizing or wiping it off before it has completely dried. Whenever situation arises where soap and water are not available, only then you should sanitize your hands. 

According to several studies, there are a number of drawbacks of using both triclosan and alcohol based sanitizers. Some of the reasons for avoiding hand sanitizers are:

• Hand sanitizers when used more than needed can irritate & even damage the skin. Using high alcohol concentrated sanitizer may cause dry and cracking skin, making it prone to bacterial infections.
• There are certain good bacteria on the surface of our skin. But in case, you remove good bacteria, they can be replaced by some harmful bacteria. God has gifted us with these natural bacteria for a reason.
• Excess use of Hand sanitizers reduces the skin barrier function, making the skin membrane more permeable to harmful substances.
• Using alcohol based hand sanitizers can make your skin of hands age rapidly as dry skin is more prone to develop wrinkles. It is generally recommended to use a good moisturizer after sanitizing your hands in order to prevent dryness.
• Use of triclosan for sanitizing hands may negatively affect your immunity & leave you more vulnerable to diseases.
• Few sanitizers contain synthetic fragrances that may cause hormonal imbalance.
• Hand sanitizers can be unsafe for small children as they may accidentally swallow alcohol-based hand sanitizers which can further lead to alcohol poisoning.
• Ethyl alcohol based hand sanitizers are much safer when used as directed, but they too can cause alcohol poisoning, if swallowed for more than a couple of mouthfuls.

It is better to avoid using hand sanitizer whenever soap and water is freely available. Try to refrain from obsessive use of hand sanitizer every now and then to clean your hands. Avoid using hand sanitizers in children under 2 years of age as not only can it lead to skin irritation but also can cause issues when ingested (babies have a habit of suckling their fingers or thumbs). Remember everything used in moderation is beneficial, excessive use can lead to harm.

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