term, daily use of these products may outweigh their presumed benefits.
The long-term, daily use of these products may outweigh their presumed benefits. How is that possible?
– The obsession and failure of therapeutic effect: “Germophobe” mums fall victim to compulsive use of hand sanitizers rather than teaching kids about the benefit of hand wash using soap and water. Such kids very often fall sick. There are studies that concluded that ultra clean environments during the early stages of a child’s life lowers their immunity. It makes them vulnerable to various diseases. Also, alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill ALL types of germs, such as a stomach bug called norovirus, some parasites, and Clostridium difficile, which causes severe diarrhea. Hand sanitizers also may not remove harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and heavy metals like lead. Handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs, pesticides, and metals on hands. Knowing when to clean your hands and which method to use gives the best chance of preventing sickness. Also, non-alcohol based antibiotic sanitizers may cause drug resistance.
– Toxic effects due to misuse: Recent reports have identified serious consequences, including shortness of breadth, acidic blood and other body fluids, and coma in young children who swallowed alcohol-based hand sanitizer. According to CDC, the majority of intentional exposures to alcohol hand sanitizers occurred in children aged 6–12 years. Alcohol hand sanitizer exposures were associated with worse outcomes than were nonalcohol hand sanitizer exposures.
There are a lot of concerns on the use of hand sanitizers. But, in this era of bugs, parents always look for safety solutions. As there are a lot of positive and negative discussions on various forums about hand sanitizers, here are 5-tips from a doctor:
1. Use a hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
2. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use non-alcohol based sanitizer only if soap and water, and alcohol-based ones are not available.
3. Donot use hand sanitizers for kids less than 2 years.
4. Always monitor the use of sanitizer. Put a dime-sized amount on dry hands and have children rub their hands together until completely dry. Make sure youths do not put hands wet with sanitizer in their mouth. Teach kids the right way to use sanitizer, so that they use it safely in school. Use a hand sanitizer a very few times a day only and if skin is not damaged.
5. Store hand sanitizer out of children’s reach. Although a lick of sanitizer probably won’t make kids sick, they could swallow enough to cause alcohol poisoning.
Final message is that for kids, washing hands can be a fun and entertaining activity. It is simple enough for even very young children to understand. Handwashing gives kids a chance to take an active role in their own health.
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