8 reasons why you shouldn't use germicides

8 reasons why you shouldn't use germicides

Recently, the issue of hygiene is constantly occurring due to damage caused by viruses such as MERS, foot and mouth disease, flu, and norovirus. Along with this hygiene, one of the most popular hygiene products is hand sanitizer. As we recognized the importance of proper hand washing to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria, several hand sanitizer products flourished in the market. People often see using a hand sanitizer to rub it slightly to get rid of the bacteria that can stick to the skin. Hand sanitizers are often used when soap and water are not available or when you do not have enough time to wash them. However, with hand disinfection, two questions conflict in mind.

01. Hazardous Ingredients Triclosan

The common chemical used as antibacterial property in most commercial hand sanitizers is triclosan. But it can be much more harmful than beneficial. This chemical can contribute to bacteria making them resistant to antibiotics. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Microbial Drug Resistance found that widespread use of triclosan could pose a risk to public health due to resistance to important antibacterial agents. Another 2014 study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that this chemical is associated with the resistance of all drugs. A 2012 study published in the National Academy of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science found that triclosan, a mass-produced chemical used as a disinfectant in personal items, is a major driver of increased interest in human and environmental health. The study found that chemicals can adversely affect muscle health, weakening heart and skeletal muscle contractility.

02. Alcoholism

 Another active ingredient in some hand sanitizers is 'alcohol', which acts as an antibacterial agent to kill bacteria. Hand sanitizers containing about 65% ethyl alcohol harm the body when swallowed, either intentionally or unintentionally. Ethyl alcohol is associated with immune dysfunction and hypersensitivity that can cause asthma and chronic dermatitis. Many hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol, a neurotoxin that is one of the petrochemicals.

03. Not effective against norovirus.

The norovirus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, is very contagious and can infect anyone. Hand sanitizers are not effective in preventing the spread of noroviruses. A 2010 study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that despite the promise of alcohol-based fungicides to control the transmission of pathogens, they are relatively ineffective against noroviruses. In addition, a 2011 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that health care providers who use hand washes equally or more than soap and water for daily hand hygiene are six times more vulnerable to the development of norovirus.

04. Does not work on dirty hands.

After using hand sanitizers, we all think our hands are clean. But in fact, if your hands are too dirty, hand sanitizer will not remove all the residue or germs. This is one reason why the CDC recommends washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that preservatives and wipes are not a panacea in all situations and are less effective against light soil loads and most intestinal viruses. Hand sanitizers should only be used when soap and water are not available.

05. Make skin dry.

Both alcohol-based and antimicrobial disinfectants are harmful to the skin. Abuse of hand sanitizers can cause dry skin. The high alcohol content of some fungicides can cause the skin of the outer layer of natural oils to peel off. This, in turn, can interfere with the protective barrier function of the skin and cause skin dryness, erythema and peeling. Antibacterial hand sanitizers can cause skin sensitivity in the form of itching, burning or dry skin. In fact, very small children are more sensitive to skin inflammation, so you should not use too much hand sanitizer.

06. Use of unknown chemical scents

Many hand sanitizers contain chemical fragrances that can be irritating and are associated with allergies and hormone destruction. Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates, an endocrine disrupting substance that mimics hormones. It may alter genital development. Do not use hand sanitizers that have a fragrance not labeled as being extracted from essential oils. It is better to choose unscented.


07. Allergy Development

A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives in 2011 in 2011 found that children under 18 years of age exposed to triclosan are more vulnerable to seasonal allergies. In some cases, you may be overexposed to clean environments. As a result of using hand sanitizer too often, allergies in children increase. Parents are responsible for ensuring that children are not exposed to bacteria that help develop antibodies, but this increases the risk of developing allergies and autoimmune diseases.

08. Be careful with flammable products

Most hand sanitizers are flammable because of their high alcohol content. Applying alcohol gel to the fire produces a translucent blue flame. When hand sanitizers burn, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can form. To minimize the risk of fire, users of alcohol hand sanitizers should rub their hands until the gel dries. This allows the flammable alcohol to evaporate. Also keep the disinfectant away from combustion products, including candles and gas appliances. Wear breathing protection if you need to extinguish a fire from hand sanitizer.

conclusion

Washing your hands properly with soap and water always provides optimum protection. If that is not possible, use quantification according to usage to minimize the damage. Apply a 10 cm gel to the palm of one hand, then rub your hands to cover all surfaces of both hands. Rub about 30 seconds until product is completely dry