Alcohol is more limited than soap and hot water at infection control, it won't replace washing your hands properly completely, but they're mostly intended for 'field' situations where it isn't practical to find a sink and a bar of Dove.
Hand sanitizers
- Thread starter WillsBabe
- Start date
Alcohol is more limited than soap and hot water at infection control, it won't replace washing your hands properly completely, but they're mostly intended for 'field' situations where it isn't practical to find a sink and a bar of Dove.
And this stuff just evaporates into the air it's magic!
Evaporates into gas you say? Dark arts indeed!
As a teacher, it's pretty much standard issue. Nothing like having a student sneeze all over the place and then hand in a paper, return a pencil, etc. Seeing as how I don't have the freedom to leave and wash my hands everytime I come across one of those situations, the sanitizer is a must!
I haven't bought any more than I used to since the break out of swine flu. I just try to be more diligent about washing hands and cleaning surfaces that may have germs.
I also try very hard not to sneeze into my hands... don't need to be touching my face or shaking hands after doing that. Eww...
However, since school is starting this week for my kids, they will both be told to not touch anything or anyone and use hand sanitizer
I also try very hard not to sneeze into my hands... don't need to be touching my face or shaking hands after doing that. Eww...
However, since school is starting this week for my kids, they will both be told to not touch anything or anyone
and use hand sanitizer
They recently installed a few dispensers where I work. I don't use it - I just wash my hands whenever I need to. (I can't stand the smell of it, either. It's overpowering and reminds me of hospitals.)
First time I saw hand sanitizer was in a portaloo when I was at a race. After that I saw it clipped to a nurse's belt when I was on a course at the local hospital. It's only recently that I've seen it in shops and being used by civvies. I use it when I can't get to a sink after I've been working closely with my rough-sleeping clients.
I always carry a hand sanitizing gel or spray with me where ever I go -nothing to do with the latest flu scare, I've been doing that for years.
Sometimes a person can't find a sink right a way. Like at the midway or other large outdoor events, so having hand sanitizer untill you can get to one comes in handy.
Ive never bought it myself, but I do use it on occasion (they have it all around Rexall and the midway grounds now)
I can't believe so many people just use it as a standard practice. Seems like over kill to me, especially people using antibacterial gels too.
Hand Sanitizers are too much.
You cannot live a sterile lifestyle. You NEED germs. It's how the whole "immune system" thing works.
Cleaning your hands is sufficent in the vast majority of situations.
The only time you need your hands "sanitized" is if you're a surgeon about to perform an operation.
Otherwise, cleaning is sufficent.
You cannot live a sterile lifestyle. You NEED germs. It's how the whole "immune system" thing works.
Cleaning your hands is sufficent in the vast majority of situations.
The only time you need your hands "sanitized" is if you're a surgeon about to perform an operation.
Otherwise, cleaning is sufficent.
^--- hand sanitizers (or equivalent) are a must in hospitals to prevent transmission of infections. Nurses who use the stuff after handling any patient are less likely to make other people sick. There's a reason why you're much more likely to catch an infection in a hospital than outside it. Since dispensers have become mandatory at Belgian hospitals, hospital bug transmission rates are down.
In any case, I like to have the stuff with me when I have take the metro. Not just for killing bugs from icky people, but mostly to get rid of the awfull smell you get when holding on to the metal railings.
In any case, I like to have the stuff with me when I have take the metro. Not just for killing bugs from icky people, but mostly to get rid of the awfull smell you get when holding on to the metal railings.
R
Rocketman
Guest
Cleaning your hands is better. People seem to forget that it's not so much about killing germs, but about killing food sources for those germs. Which is why washing your hands after eating something is just as important as washing your hands after a bathroom visit.
The goal isn't to avoid exposure to harmful germs, it's to keep their numbers down.
Hand sanitizer might kill 99% of all bacteria, but it won't get them all. The germs will start multiplying again the moment the alcohol evaporates.
Although reading this thread, seeing how many people seem to be just using in general it just strikes me as odd to be so worried about it. Sure in a profession where you may be required to get in to situations where you may be spreading germs or maybe meeting with some very grimy people or whatever I can understand it. But to use after shaking hands with someone or after pushing a supermarket trolley? Seems a bit OTT to me.
Indeed, then you're getting into paranoid territory, and possibly causing yourself more harm than good in the long run.
Here is the thing, if you are TOO sanitary your body can't build up immunities to everyday normal germs and stuff. Your body NEEDS to be exposed to some things to make you more resistant to stuff out in the world. So I think some people go overboard with it, but there are some situations I myself use some, for example after using a public restroom or filling my car up with gas. Note that I always wash my hands anyway after using the bathroom.
I've always used it in general. It's a great idea to do it and protect yourself the best you can.
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