So I was already feeling kind of iffy about hand sanitizer. I still use the stuff in a pinch, but ever since people started freaking out about how our germ-phobic antibacterial ways will end up making us sicker than ever by creating a class superpowerful, antibiotic-immune bugs, I've tried to stick to soap and water whenever possible.
And it's a good thing, too! Apparently. Kleenex-brand Luxury Foam Hand Sanitizer recently recalled hundreds of bottles of the product because they contained bacteria that "may pose serious health risks to people with weakened immune systems." Isn't it ironic/dontcha think/It's like microbial bacteriaaaaa in your hand sanitizer! By the way, that Alanis Morissette reference is a double-whammy: Not only does this recall reek of irony, it happened in Canada.
Supposedly healthy people aren't at much of a risk, but those aforementioned folks with the weakened immune systems, "especially those with cystic fibrosis," could develop anything from pneumonia to blood infections. Well, that's just awesome.
Of course recalls of all kinds of products happen all the time. But here's the part I don't get -- isn't hand sanitizer supposed to kill germs? Why didn't the bacteria contaminating those recalled bottles get zapped on contact with the magic goo inside? I'm confused. Unless this particular bacteria is one of those superpowerful, antibiotic-resistant bugs we created by using too much hand sanitizer ... ack, it's like a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma! My head is spinning!
Anyway, moral of the story? Soap. Soap and water are your friends. As for on-the-go cleanups, why not stash a package of plain old baby wipes in your bag? They won't kill germs, but they won't breed monster zombie germs either.
Do you use hand sanitizer?
Image via Myrone Delacruz/Flickr
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Comments 32
I work at a restaurant, and I see people (on more than one occasion, mind you!) come in with economy sized pumps and put them smack in the middle of the table fore everyone to use. Why not just pass around a purse-sized one? How much hand sanitizer does a family of four need in one hour? Are they doing it to make a statement: "Look how clean we are! We bathe ourselves in Purell at 3-minute interval during all meals in public places!"
Dude, if you are that afraid of germs, stay home, please.
at home i just use soap and water. and at work i use soap and water most of the time , but i work at a pharmacy and there are exceptions. we have hand sanitizer there for emergency but we also clean with alcohol a lot too.
I use it when I am not at home! It cuts down on the amount of times we bring home a sickness. At home we just wash our hands.
I never use hand sanitizer. Soap and water do the trick just fine. Using too much hand sanitizer does not give your body an opportunity to come in contact with germs so that your body learns how to fight them. This germaphobia our society suffers from is breeding germs and diseases that are immune to antibiotics.
I don't use hand sanitizer, just soap and water. I hate the smell of hand sanitizer and I really don't see the point for most people. A little bit of germs are good for you. And in cold and flu season, using hand sanitizer is like trying to stem a flood with a tissue. It's not going to do much. The only time I ever actively used hand sanitizer was when I was visiting a relative who was immune compromised. Then I was more than happy to try and kill anything I might have brought in, but I don't use it regularly.
I dont like to use it. It makes my dishydrotic eczema flare up. But then again soap does too.