The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) warns consumers on the overuse of hand sanitisers as it can pose health problems.
So far, no hand sanitiser has been approved by the US FDA to prevent or treat COVID-19.
“Although it kills bacteria and viruses, hand sanitiser is not fully effective unless used properly and in the correct amount, which many people do not. Unlike handwashing which reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands, hand sanitisers might not remove harmful chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals, from hands.
“And they may not work well when hands are heavily soiled or greasy.
“Sanitisers should be used only as a backup when soap and water are not available. They should be treated like prescription medicines, used appropriately and with strict adherence to instructions. Clear advice should be given about using them responsibly and the consequences of misuse. said Mohiden Abdul Kader, President of the Consumers Association of Penang in a press statement.
Therefore, consumers are advised to prioritise hand washing over sanitiser use as regular and overuse of hand sanitisers can pose long-term health problems.
This dislodges dead microbes and viral cells from the hands and washes them down the drain.The CDC recommends that you wet your hands with running water, turn off the tap, and then scrub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands under clean running water and then immediately wipe them with a clean towel.
Below are some problems related to the overuse of hand sanitisers:
ALCOHOL RESISTANCE
A 2018 study in Science Translational Medicine found that multidrug-resistant bacterium Enterococcus faecium has become increasingly tolerant to the alcohols in widely used hospital disinfectants such as hand rub solutions.
A 2016 study in Pakistan that looked at 25 brands of hand sanitisers found that several bacterial strains have begun to become tolerant to them:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes pneumonia and bloodstream infection) – 64% resistance
E. coli (causes abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting) – 48% resistance
SANITISER TIPS
1. USE one with an alcohol concentration of 60-95%. Products with a lower alcohol
concentration, or non-alcohol-based hand sanitisers, are subpotent. A study in Emerging
Infectious Diseases indicates that low-alcohol concentration gels spread germs around
without killing them. And concentrations above 95% are less effective because alcohol
needs a certain amount of water to denature the proteins of microbes and inactivate
viruses.
2. APPLY the correct amount, too little will not quickly kill germs. A common mistake is using too little sanitiser to cover both hands, with dispensers tending to release too little in a single pump. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends using at least a coin-sized drop. Tip: If hands feel dry after being rubbed together for less than 10-15 seconds, it is likely that an insufficient volume of product was applied,” says the WHO.
3. RUB all over hands, including between the fingers and on the back of hands, until
completely dry (about 20-30 seconds). Don’t rinse or wipe off the product, or it won’t work
as well.
4. ENSURE it is completely dry on your hands before continuing activities that may involve heat, sparks, static electricity, or open flames.
5. KEEP it out of children’s reach; and away from heat or flame as hand sanitiser is
flammable – never store in the car or anywhere above 105°F.