Say What!?
Hand Sanitizer Recalled Because It's Making People Deathly Ill
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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dirtiekittie
i very, very rarely use hand sanitizer - i never buy or keep it at home. i've always been a fan of good old fashioned soap and water. all it takes is 30 seconds to clean up properly without breeding "super germs". here's a little trick i learned (and taught my kids who now do it): if you have a hard time knowing how long to wash your hands, hum either "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or the "ABC song" while you wash. once you're done singing (or humming, or thinking for those who can't carry a tune lol) your handwashing is done. works like a charm with little ones!
jessicasmom1
we use it when at the hospital or something like that but .. not often to drys us out
PinkButterfly66
Nope. I don't buy/use anything with triclosan in it.
GoatsRueTheDay
MommyOfOne2710
And yes, people are way too germaphobic these days.
Zamaria
butterflyfreak
We have sanitizer in the car. We drive a lot and sometimes end up in an area that doesn't have full (or any) facilities. We also take it when we go camping in a remote area, like when we go down the Minam River on our 2 day white water rafting trip. We will be camping on the river, quite far away from civilization and any running water, except the river.
Bob715
Megan Bauchle Layaw
No, we do not use hand sanitizers of any kind. We use regular soap(not anti-bacterial) as well. All the mass over-use of these products has done is breed resistant strains of bacteria. As long as my family and I have relatively good immune systems I'll continue to simply teach good personal hygeine and allow nature to run its course with the various illnesses, etc.
cherylam