THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED WHILE BUYING HAND SANITIZER

Washing hands well with soap and water is the ideal way to remove germs. But, hand sanitizers are only the second option, if you have no chances to use soap, water and a sink. Hand sanitizer is an alcohol-based hand rub that can be used if you are in your office or on a journey. The outbreak of COVID -19 pandemic has caused extensive fear among people for choosing some positive measures to keep safe. Among them, hand sanitizer is considered as a very important option, as it is the ideal swift measure to help control the spreading out of microorganisms.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), proper and on-time application of sanitizer on hands is the quick and suitable way to keep the virus away, and uphold personal hygiene. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has suggested that people should wash their hands properly with soap and water before taking food, while caring a sick person, when you have to touch contaminated surfaces, or after playing with pets. But, if washing is not possible, on any occasions, they should ideally use hand sanitizers containing at least 60 per cent alcohol, for evading the risky chances of getting sick and spreading of the infection to others.

However, there are also hand sanitizers in the market which are non-alcoholic in nature. But they are not considered by the health organizations due to their poor effectiveness when compared with alcoholic hand sanitizers. The alcoholic content is one of the major factors that verify the effectiveness of disinfectant sprays that we generally consider to use. Hence, it is better to prefer an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rather than a non-alcoholic one.

Hand sanitizer and its significance in fighting the pandemic.

In general, all standard sanitizers can kill microbes within a timeframe of 30 seconds, and eradicate 99.9% of germs effectively. It is found out that the spreading out of COVID-19 pandemic can be by means of direct or indirect contact. Indirect spreading of the disease is by touching virus-contaminated surfaces, and then by touching one’s own eyes, nose or mouth with that hand. These viruses can move from the face to the nose or oral cavity and finally reach the lungs resulting in respiratory infection.  Thus, hand hygiene is very vital in preventing the spreading of COVID-19, and this is how the hand sanitizer becomes the important factor in tackling the spreading of the virus. So, you are hereby advised to apply sanitizers properly by gently rubbing over the surfaces of your hands until the hands turn dry.

Here we have furnished some valuable tips that help you choose the perfect hand sanitizer.

The percentage of alcohol content

The quantity of alcohol content in the hand sanitizer is very vital, while the most effective hand sanitizers contain about 60 to 80 percent alcohol by volume. So it is essential for you to verify the percentage of alcohol present in the hand sanitizer before deciding to purchase the same. Regarding the capacity to fight against viruses, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is observed to be more powerful than isopropyl alcohol. So, it is desirable to choose a hand rub which contains ethanol as one of the constituents. Global associations for health development such as WHO and CDC have proposed that in all alcohol-based hand rubs the presence of ethyl alcohol can be in between 60% and 95%, whereas the concentration of isopropyl alcohol content in hand sanitizers can be not less than 70%.

Constituents that should not be present in a hand sanitizer

Methyl alcohol and Benzalkonium chloride are the two components that should not be used in the preparation of alcohol based hand sanitizing liquid.

Methyl alcohol (methanol): Methyl alcohol is poisonous in feature. Contact with methyl alcohol will result in blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, headache, nerve damage, or permanent blindness. Due to the toxic nature, methyl alcohol should not be used in the manufacture of hand sanitizers.

Benzalkonium chloride: Some of the hand sanitizers available in the market contain Benzalkonium chloride instead of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Available evidence points out that the activity of Benzalkonium chloride against certain viruses and bacteria are very meager compared to alcohol-based hand rubs. So beware of hand rubs which contain constituents like Benzalkonium chloride instead of sufficient quantities of alcohol. Moreover, these hand rubs are not suitable for fighting against the Coronavirus. So, always keep in mind to avoid using such hand sanitizers.

Reliable additional ingredients

Constituents like glycerin or skin moisturizing agents can be considered during the manufacture of hand sanitizers. Glycerin has the quality to make the skin smooth. So, the sanitizers containing glycerin or skin moistening agents can minimize the dryness of the skin that may be caused due to the presence of alcohol in the sanitizer. Thus, the presence of moistening agents like glycerin will be an added advantage.

Herbal hand sanitizers

Sanitizers containing herbal ingredients are good to the skin. There are herbal sanitizers which include extracts of germ killing herbs like aloe Vera, neem, basil etc. Since these herbs are skin rejuvenating in nature, these herbal sanitizers are not at all harmful to the human body. But before buying such herbal sanitizers, you must make sure that the product contains the sufficient quantity of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol which is the recommended germ killing agent in the sanitizers.

Apply the sanitizer perfectly

Sanitizer cannot clean your hands by removing dirt and grease from your hands. So, it will be wise and desirable to clean your hands first, before applying the hand sanitizer. Your hand sanitizer can offer amazing results if it can be used correctly. Take some drops of hand sanitizer to the palm of one hand, and then rub both the hands together. You may give special attention while rubbing between the fingers, and also on the upper side of your palm. Make sure that the sanitizer liquid has reached till the tip of your fingers. Continue rubbing until the sanitizer dries off from your hands completely.

Choose only reputed brands

As the game of coronavirus is still going on, numerous medicine companies have been coming forward to manufacture hand sanitizers too. So, you are advised to choose sanitizers manufactured by reputed brands having decent performance as well as product efficacy.

Consider effectiveness

The range of effectiveness of the hand sanitizer you have decided to buy is the other vital thing to be considered. Some germ killing products are very effective when compared to other similar variants. Since composition can determine the effectiveness of a product, you must go through the composition chart of your hand sanitizer or spray, and make sure that the sanitizing liquid contains the right quantity of alcohol as proposed by the WHO, and is capable of killing all the viruses and germs.

Bear in mind the aforesaid matters while going to buy a hand sanitizing spray that keeps you safe day and night. Once again remembering you to go through the composition chart of hand sanitizers, and choose the appropriate one. It is your responsibility to make sure that the hand rub does not contain components like triclosan, Benzalkonium Chloride, methyl alcohol etc. Also, understand the expiry date of the hand sanitizer you have chosen is not over. Always keep a sanitizer bottle in your pocket while going out, and stay safe.