Kayli's letter

Kayli wrote:

Since you are health oriented, I was wondering what your view on hand-sanitizers is. Good or bad? I've heard it both ways lately..

Kayli

This is becoming more of a hot button issue and I am glad you asked Kayli. I am against the non-medical use of hand sanitizers and always have been. The first thing to think about is the amount of alcohol poisoning cases each year by parents who put this crap on their kids hands. IT'S NOT FOR KIDS. It soaks into your skin. If you put a squirt on each hand of a child, it's like handing them a bottle of vodka. Some people also use it every time they get their hands dirty, which is not what it was meant for.

THE GOOD NEWS
It kills bad bacteria.

THE BAD NEWS
Hand sanitizers also kill good bacteria on the skin which are supposed to be there to fight off bad bacteria. By spreading that stuff on your body, you're leaving it more open to infection. It also allows people to "forget" washing their hands, which is still the most effective way to clean your skin and avoid disease. The alcohol content in these sanitizers also dries the skin, which then cracks and allows more bacteria to seep into those cracks. Some hand sanitizers also include Benzalkonium Chloride which can be corrosive to the respiratory tract if inhaled.
There is even research being done that is attempting to show the bacterial void created by using hand sanitizers is actually responsible for the increase in mental illnesses like depression.

Your body needs bacteria like Superman needs Lex Luthor. For the good to do good, it has to have the bad to fight. If you cannot get to a sink at all, then I agree, hand sanitizer is a good substitute. Would I use it to clean my hands after a hike? No. Would I use it if I was shaking hands all day? Yes.

Nothing is a good substitute for washing your hands with soap and water. Just keep that in mind.

Sean