Don’t lose your sanity over sanitisers

The alcohol percentage varies in them and even the strongest sanitizers cannot battle against an army of bacteria and viruses which have the tendency to act as a harbinger of further infections. 
Don’t lose your sanity over sanitisers

The alcohol percentage varies in them and even the strongest sanitizers cannot battle against an army of bacteria and viruses which have the tendency to act as a harbinger of further infections.  Alcohol-based sanitizers are flammable. Wrongful ingestion could lead to disasters too

HYDERABAD: Even as a hygiene-conscious generation is being brought up, made to believe that hand sanitizers are the ultimate solutions to tackle germs, experts believe that excess usage of sanitizers can be detrimental to you. Since diseases are those unwelcomed guests who can catch you offguard at any hour of the day, why take a deadly risk? This thought has led to a craze over hand sanitizers, packaged water bottles and sunscreen with SPF, especially among the urban youth. But are they safe enough?

Dr Syed Shazia Fatima, Senior Consultant of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine, says, “A lot could go right or wrong in the preparation of these products as each of it found in the market varies in its ingredients. The safety of these products has been controversial and always up for discussion.Even though hand sanitizers are saviors in disguise, they are not superior to washing your hands with soap, and cannot replace them.”
While using products like hand sanitizers, experts advise people to follow directions diligently. “Merely applying sanitizer does not disinfect your hand. One has to rub properly for about 30 seconds and it should, be followed by air drying. Alcohol-based sanitizers work better than the non-alcohol ones as the latter leave a sticky feel till it’s washed away,” Dr Fatima observes.

She further explains that hand sanitizers are not the end solution as washing and rinsing your hands would still be needed. “The alcohol percentage varies in them and even the strongest sanitizers cannot battle against an army of bacteria and viruses which have the tendency to act as a harbinger of further infections. Alcohol-based sanitizers are flammable. Wrongful ingestion could lead to disastrous side effects in both adults and children,” notes Dr Fatima.
Non-alcohol sanitizers contain Triclosan, commonly used in hospital scrubs, and its side effects are alarming. “Many hand sanitizers containing Triclosan have been pulled off the shelves and the FDA have labeled it as a contaminant of emerging concern (CEC). From Contact Dermatitis to absorption through blood and toxicity because of accumulation of hormonal imbalances in both males and females, the adverse effects could be endless. Also, skin issues become prevalent,” Dr Fatima points out.

Ever thought of the reasons behind the incessant usage of hand sanitizers? Most doctors dub it a ‘healthy fad’. People go for scented sanitizers which lack in strength. The power of these sanitizers comes from its alcohol content - isopropyl alcohol that has a very strong odor making it difficult to be masked.
Experts also believe that excessive usage of hand-sanitizers can lower your immune system. “People are using hand sanitisers more and more even in places that do not require sanitisation. There is no evidence that using hand sanitisers actually reduces the bacteria count and if this will lead to lesser infections.The problem with using hand sanitisers is that it kills a lot of the good bacteria that is helping you build immunity. Rigorous hand cleaning and non exposure to bacteria can weaken your immune system and studies have proven that,” shares Dr Shubha Dharmana, chief evangelist and CEO, LeJeune Group of Medspas.

“Look for sanitisers that have 60 per cent alcohol content or less, but soap and water is the best way of scrubbing yourself. More importantly, the right way of scrubbing and washing your hands spending a good 20 seconds whilst doing that works better,” Dr Shubha added.
Apart from sanitisers, a lot of people are paranoid about the quality of water that they consume and prefer to buy mineral water, as opposed to drinking regular water outside. Experts warn that consuming bottled water has its own risks.

“We are not assured of the quality of water packed inside the bottles. Next, comes the quality of plastic used in them. Usually, few are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE)  and petroleum-derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These bottles can lead hazardous chemical being mixed into water, especially when heated,” observed Dr P Swapna Priya, consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist at Care Hospital.

Says Dr SV Praveen, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Citizens Specialty Hospital, “Hand sanitizers are safe to use as long as you are not allergic to the contents. It is advisable to use hand sanitizers made by standard reputed companies as any amount of unnecessary additives or chemicals can cause skin reactions.”
Does it lower one’s immunity due to constant/frequent use. He says, “As hand sanitizers only cause local disinfection in the hands, they don’t get absorbed into our body hence there is no risk of causing problems of lowering immunity or any internal problems. An individual should however, take measures to improve their immunity with good nutritious diet and proper hygiene. Hand sanitizers are useful to maintain hygiene when there is a possibility of infection of hands and further spread of infections. Unnecessary and excess usage should be discouraged.

Frequent usage of hand sanitizers can cause dryness of skin. Use moisturising lotion if dryness of skin is noticed. Allergic reaction is another possibility. If there is allergy stop using it and consult a doctor. Usually alcohol based and chlorhexidine based hand rubs are used. It is important to check the contents as some chemicals like Triclosan can cause more side effects. Think before you reach out to the next fancy hygiene product. Don’t lose your sanity over sanitizers.

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