Antibacterial gel is a popular hand sanitizer that kills most germs on contact and can be purchased in squeeze bottles or small foil packets. Some brands do not contain alcohol, making them safer for children. It should not be used as a substitute for soap and water.
Antibacterial gel is often used as a hand sanitizer when it is not possible or convenient to wash it with soap and water. Just a quick squirt into the palm of a dime-sized amount is all it takes. The gel is rubbed into the skin in the same way you would hand lotion and evaporates quickly due to its alcohol content. Antibacterial gel kills most germs on contact and commonly contains ingredients to soften and lubricate the skin, such as aloe vera gel or other emollients.
The antibacterial gel can be purchased in squeeze bottles or small foil packets that contain one use only. Foil packets are great for tossing in a purse or glove box. You can even slip one or two into a wallet. It’s a good bet that throughout the day, or certainly throughout the week, there will be at least one or more occasions when hand sanitizer will come in handy. The antibacterial gel has become so popular that you may see a bottle of it just about anywhere, from your bank teller’s window to the checkout at your favorite department store.
Some people may want to consider brands that do not contain alcohol. The Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 12, 2006, that a nurse tested positive for alcohol in her system after using a popular hand sanitizer. The victim ended up with a suspended nursing license and was forced to go to court. The highly sensitive test used in her case relies on a particular marker in alcohol that remains in the blood for several days after consuming a drink. The marker was present after cleaning hands with alcohol-containing antibacterial gel, but other alcohol-containing products can also take the test, including mouthwash, vanilla extract and some cold medicines.
Hand sanitizer is promoted as safe to use on children’s hands, but follow directions and any cautionary warnings on the product. The gel must have completely evaporated before children can bring their hands to their mouths and non-alcohol based formulas are preferable. Eco-friendly antibacterial gels like Clean Well contain no alcohol or harsh chemicals and claim to kill germs too.
Hand sanitizer should not be used as a substitute for soap and water, but as a temporary measure when soap and water are not available. It can be useful in classrooms, medical facilities, day care centers, gyms, and any public place where germs spread.
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