Over-the-counter hand sanitizers seem such a quick and logical fix to disinfect
hands, but when used on a regular basis or improperly they can cause adverse
health effects. Health experts recommend washing hands with soap and water
whenever possible, but even commercial hand soaps are full of toxic chemicals. Most hand sanitizers are made with potent toxic chemicals for the purpose of killing
germs. The majority of hand sanitizers contain 60-90% of either ethyl or
isopropyl alcohol, a concentration much higher than what is found in most hard
liquors! Therefore, even small doses of sanitizer, when ingested, can cause
headaches, dizziness, and slurred speech. Extreme cases of hand sanitizer
poisoning include brain damage and death. Hand sanitizer poisoning is most
common among children who are drawn to the bright colors and sweet scents.
Children who ingest even a small amount of hand sanitizer can become
intoxicated and be at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Parents should teach children to keep hands out of mouths, eyes, ears, and noses when out in public such as at school, at the store, at a friend’s house and so on, and to wash hands immediately upon arriving home as well as frequently as possible. Parents themselves should be models of frequent hand washing as well as doing so for their own health. But, teaching children to keep hands out of mouths is especially important if children use sanitizers at school, at home, at friends’, and so on. It’s also important to keep hand sanitizers out of children’s reach as with any other chemical.
Parents should teach children to keep hands out of mouths, eyes, ears, and noses when out in public such as at school, at the store, at a friend’s house and so on, and to wash hands immediately upon arriving home as well as frequently as possible. Parents themselves should be models of frequent hand washing as well as doing so for their own health. But, teaching children to keep hands out of mouths is especially important if children use sanitizers at school, at home, at friends’, and so on. It’s also important to keep hand sanitizers out of children’s reach as with any other chemical.
Since hand sanitizers contain a high amount of alcohol they are
also highly flammable. Small quantities of hand sanitizer burn "very hot,
very quickly" if set on fire. Keep sanitizers out of the hot sun, cars
overheated by the sun, and away from incandescent light bulbs and heaters.
Should you choose to use hand sanitizers when cooking or grilling make sure
hands are completely dry before getting near a hot stove or grill!
Furthermore, due to their high alcohol content,
sanitizers can cause dry skin, which in turn means skin can become cracked and
broken. Broken skin exposes the body to "the same contagions hand
sanitizers are trying to prevent." Do not use sanitizers if you have any
open cuts and scrapes on your hands, including hangnails and paper cuts.
Sanitizers can irritate cuts and scrapes, which can cause infection, burning,
itching, and rashes. Health experts discourage the biting of fingernails or any
touching of the mouth and lips with hands after using sanitizers.
Another problem with hand sanitizers is that they may not leave
hands completely clean after use. Should hands be visibly dirty or have dirt
under the fingernails hand sanitizers will not be very effective. Hand
sanitizers are not a replacement for using soap and water, especially if the
body is fighting illness. Sanitizers will not clean hands if hands are greasy,
wet, or are covered with food residue.so washing hands is important.
Chemical hand sanitizers do in fact kill both the good and the bad
bacteria. While, it is good to kill the bad, it is not so great to
kill the good. The good bacteria protects our body from infection as well
has helping it to fight the bad bacteria. If we get rid of the good, how will
we fight the bad?? Ultimately hand sanitizers will not protect you from getting sick and some of the ingredients may actually make you sick. So a more preferable way to stay healthy and avoid viral and bacterial infections is to take plenty of natural vitamin C and vitamin D, eat powerful super-foods, drink plenty of clean water and use essential oils to support your body.
Everyone knows how important it is to have clean hands. Cleaning them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best method but there are times when you could use a quick cleaning.
Most folks would love to have a hand cleaner and hand sanitizer to use when they don’t have access to soap and water. Making your own sanitizer using essential oils is very simple to do. There are many recipes available to make your own.
Common essential oils for use in any type of sanitizer include but are not limited to the following: Tea Tree (aka Melaleuca); Oregano; Thyme; Eucalyptus; Cinnamon leaf; Geranium; Rosemary; Lavender; & Peppermint.
