There seems to be a new trend out there that I don't understand...since when has rubbing some alcoholy liquid on your hands replaced washing your hands?? I see people everywhere pulling out small bottles of hand sanitizer before eating, after using the lavatory, and in other situations that I would imagine hand cleaning is most imporant, but I recently was astounded when my son's pediatrician pumped a bit of hand sanitizer onto her hands, rubbed them, and proceeded to examine him (without gloves!), after leaving another patient, and never did a drop of water touch her hands...what on earth???
Apparently there is a new protocol, with the belief that the alcohol and antibacterial ingredients in some hand sanitizers kills most germs on the hands, and is now sufficient for medical use as a replacement for hand washing. So, hand sanitizers also magically wash away dirt? And dead skin cells? And the bacteria under the bacteria that came into contact with the hand sanitizer?
I'm grossed out by this whole trend. I was offended and astounded that a pediatrician would touch my son's body (his boy bits, no less) after examining another child with nothing more than a rub with sanitizing liquid in between. I never see anyone rub that well with hand sanitizers anyway, mainly just their fingers, because it's so drying and smelly, so I'm wondering how well germs are even killed.
Want to use hand sanitizers? Fine. But don't stop washing your hands because you do. In fact, why not do both? Especially if you are a pediatrician. Or just used the bathroom.
Apparently there is a new protocol, with the belief that the alcohol and antibacterial ingredients in some hand sanitizers kills most germs on the hands, and is now sufficient for medical use as a replacement for hand washing. So, hand sanitizers also magically wash away dirt? And dead skin cells? And the bacteria under the bacteria that came into contact with the hand sanitizer?
I'm grossed out by this whole trend. I was offended and astounded that a pediatrician would touch my son's body (his boy bits, no less) after examining another child with nothing more than a rub with sanitizing liquid in between. I never see anyone rub that well with hand sanitizers anyway, mainly just their fingers, because it's so drying and smelly, so I'm wondering how well germs are even killed.
Want to use hand sanitizers? Fine. But don't stop washing your hands because you do. In fact, why not do both? Especially if you are a pediatrician. Or just used the bathroom.
I don't like this new trend either. Granted, at the grocery stores and such they have the wipes to wipe down the carts, I thought was a good idea, but to replace hand washing, No. No no no!
ReplyDeleteAt the schools they use it too, my youngest hands used to look so bad and red and bleeding from repeated usage of the stuff instead of actual washing. I encouraged him to use less of that and just wash with soap and water.
It did help after awhile, but...
I'm with you on this one.
I like it for if you have no access to a bathroom but I agree that there should be more handwashing. Especially for a doctor and especially in schools!!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you! Hand sanitizer is a great thing when there is no water nearby. But to completely stop washing your hands? Gross!
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with this one. I work at a medical facility and come in direct contact with 50-60 patients a day. (I am a secretary) I use hand sanitizer a few times an hour and I have NEVER been sick in the last 4 years. Not a sniffle, cough or upset tummy. Yes, I wash my hands after using the bathroom but I can't run across the hall every time someone sneezes on my pen. You should ask your Dr. to wash up if it bugs you, it won't offend them. (although they will pick up more germs by turning on the faucet)
ReplyDeletePPickle, I really appreciate your input. A doc's faucet is usually his own (in his office) so it that really more risky? (Shouldn't they clean that off anyway? When I used to work in an office, we would spray faucet fixtures with alcohol and wipe them down at the end of each day).
ReplyDeleteToo, I was thinking more about me and my son not getting sick from the germs of others, not them not getting sick from their own germs and not hand washing.
I agree that general use faucets (in a public bathroom) have lots of germs, but not washing hands after using the bathroom is gross. I use tissues to turn the faucet on, wash, and use new tissue to turn it off (I never touch it). I may sound paranoid, but eew at what is out there :)
I'm a total germ-a-phobe, and I swear by both methods. When my hands are dirty, or before I prepare food or after I use the bathroom, I wash my hands. But hand sanitizer is a life saver when you are out and about. I use it after shopping, before eating out, and yes, in doctor's offices.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was very, very sick due to a birth injury and have spent lots of times in hospitals and doctor's offices. Those places breed mega-germs and crazy infections, so we use the hand sanitizer to kill the germs while there. Handwashing kills germs if you do it in hot water for over 30 seconds, and we can't always do that due to time constraints OR the temperature of the water. When in doubt, I think hand sanitizer kills the germs while hand washing makes my hands "clean" in terms of surface dirt.
As a teacher, we would love to have all the kids wash hands before lunch but here's the conundrum: 25 kids, taking at least a minute each to wash hands, with only one or two sinks= 30 minutes spent on handwashing. That's a lot of time! That's why hand sanitizers are easier and faster. Not ideal, I know. But rest assured because there was a study that showed that classrooms that had wall-mounted hand sanitizers had less absenses than those that didn't.
You are right-- handwashing is great, but hand sanitizers are my go-to product when I'm on the run!
In our state a 5th grader did a science experiment on hand sanitizer (her Dad is a micro biologist.
ReplyDeleteShe wanted to know if hand sanitizter could kill e-coli and the answer was NO!
only bleach could kill it!
Hand sanitizer kills both good and bad bactieria!
I only use the stuff sparingly during FLU season if I can't get to a sink.....or after shaking someones hand at church!
I never liked the fact of putting chemicals on my skill.....it does into your system..much like parbens.
Peace and Love,
Georgiann