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Is hand sanitizer bad for you?

Is hand sanitizer bad for you?

Do you often use hand gel or do you prefer to wash your hands with soap and water? Overuse of hand sanitizer can be bad for you and here's why.

Is it bad for you?

The concern about hand sanitizer is that it can work too well. If you use too much hand gel, the good bacteria on your hands won't have time to develop. While you desperately need these bacteria to protect you against bacteria from the outside.

Read also :'8 tips to keep your hands soft in the colder months'

Disinfecting hand gel versus water and soap

According to Rush University Medical Center, both ways are effective, as long as the actions are performed correctly and there is enough variation in use.

When do you use soap and water?

When your hands are visibly dirty, it is recommended to wash them with soap and water. Disinfection is not a means of removing visible dirt. Before eating, it is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water and while eating to avoid cross-contamination. Washing your hands with soap and water is also more effective when you are surrounded by flu bacteria.

When do you use disinfection?

Disinfection should not become a total substitute for soap and water. Still, it's a good solution if you don't have a sink nearby. Disinfection is a panacea, especially for people who work in healthcare. If you use disinfectant, try to clean as thoroughly as you would with soap and water. So take all the spots on your hands with you. The thumbs, between the fingers and fingertips are often forgotten when cleaning with disinfection.

What kind of hand disinfectant should you use?

Disinfection is coming on the market in more and more scents and colours. This sometimes makes it seem more like an accessory than actually being used as a cleaning agent. A good disinfection contains at least 60 to 95 percent alcohol. These are the most effective at fighting off bacteria. Products with a lower percentage are not able to kill the bacteria.

Source:Realsimple.com