All About Hand Sanitizer: Uses And Functions

by erin on February 25, 2011

Hand sanitizer is used to keep them clean when soap and water is unavailable. It allows germs and bacteria to be removed even if washing is not available to you at the time. Many use it in addition to washing to make sure that all the germs are killed.

The product is antiseptic, and this makes it useful for a wide variety of situations. It can be used to avoid cross contamination in food and kill germs that cause illness. Bacteria, fungi and some viruses are also able to be killed with the product. This makes it useful to help keep illnesses at bay that can be obtained from contact.

Alcohol is the active ingredient, and this is what allows it to be effective against germs. Commonly, this will be the type contained in rubbing alcohol, isopropanol or another type, ethanol. Other types can be seen, but the concentration must be between 60-80% in order to give it the antiseptic quality. 62% s the concentration most found in commercial products.

Those that contain more than 70% alcohol is considered to me more effective than other types containing less. When applied and rubbed in for 30 seconds, it can kill bacteria and other contaminants to a 99.9% effective rate. Some suggest to do so for one minute, but there is no substantial change in the amount that it kills.

To apply, make sure that there is enough product to do both areas and make them wet. Rub into the skin for at least 30 seconds, paying attention to each finger and in between them. Thumbs and the forearm must also be paid attention to in order to make it as sterile as possible. For those that have visible dirt, washing with soap and water is recommended and application of the product can be used after.

They have different types to be more convenient to others. Gel, liquid and foam are more commonly seen in stores. Many companies are altering the formula to include fragrance and moisturizers for the skin, to make it more appealing to a wider range of users. Even size can vary greatly with sizes able to be carried in a purse or pocket and larger sizes to be used in a pump for industrial purposes.

The restaurant industry is one that uses this product frequently in order to protect customers from food borne illnesses. It is applied after washing to help reduce the risk of cross contamination and to make sure that all the bacteria is off the hands. Many restaurants also require it to be reapplied at timed intervals as part of the store policy in order to keep up a cleanliness standard.

In hospital settings, they use it for surgery as well as generally. They apply it after washing, seeing and touching patients or as they feel is needed. For surgeons, after washing they use a stronger product that contains more alcohol and will rub it in for longer. Most will apply it twice as a safety precaution.

Hand sanitizer has a number of uses for individuals and industries. This can kill all the germs that washing does without the use of vinyl gloves, which allows for fewer pathogens to remain on the hands. It is less drying than soap and water while still giving the same benefits that washing will.

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