Hand Sanitizers Work Well

Posted by Kathy Quan Jan 7, 2008

Hand sanitizers have gained popularity in hospitals, practitioner's offices, and clinics. They are also widely used in public places such as classrooms, restaurants, and shopping centers.

The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has even said that on hands that aren't heavily soiled the sanitizers can work better than soap and water.

However, the sanitizer needs to consist of at least 60% alcohol; 90% is even better. This unfortunately makes the sanitizers flammable and precautions need to be taken to prevent injury. Because of the high alcohol content, they should not be used on the face, and especially not near the eyes.

Open cuts or sores will sting or burn when they come into contact with the sanitizer. Although the sanitizer will kill any germs in the cut or sore, it may also irritate and interfere with normal healing.

In unscientific observations presented in the media, the wide use of these hand sanitizers has shown to reduce the number of cold-like illnesses in classrooms, work settings and practitioner's offices. Research has also proven the effectiveness of these sanitizers in reducing the spread of colds as well as gastrointestinal viruses.

According to a recent article by ABC News, the product name "Purell" has become a verb much like Xerox and Windex have over the years.