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5 Common Misconceptions About Hand Sanitizer

Flood's Royal Flush

5 Common Misconceptions About Hand Sanitizer

 

Hand sanitizer is now more necessary than ever in keeping people safe and healthy. However, there is a high degree of confusion surrounding it, such as how it works and its advantages. Read below to explore five misconceptions about hand sanitizer.

Misconception #1: You Don’t Need Hand Sanitizer All Over Your Hands

Hand sanitizers are only effective when you apply the gel all over your fingers and palms, and it only reaches full efficacy when it dries. Always double-check the instructions to ensure that you’re following them correctly. A great rule of thumb is to spritz it three to four times.

Misconception #2: All Sanitizers Work the Same

The amount of alcohol in your hand sanitizer is an important factor in its efficacy. The most effective ethyl alcohol concentration range is 60 percent to 90 percent. If the concentration is lower than 60 percent, killing the microorganisms lingering on your hand takes too long, making the sanitizer much less effective.

Misconception #3: Sanitizer Use Will Lead To Superbugs

You don’t have to worry about antibiotic resistance and the rise of superbugs from using hand sanitizer. Ethyl alcohol, the primary component in so many of these products, denatures proteins and degrades cell membranes rapidly. And since it eliminates the bacteria so quickly, they do not have the chance to develop any resistance.

Misconception #4: You’ll Completely Eliminate Good Germs Too

Beneficial bacteria, or “good germs,” are microorganisms that support healthy immune systems, and some people are concerned that hand sanitizer destroys these as well. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol drastically reduce the number of transitory organisms (germs that cause sickness) on your hands. And while they do also decrease the number of resident organisms, these good germs quickly regenerate and return to their original state, while the bad ones are permanently gone.

Misconception #5: It Will Damage Your Skin

Hand sanitizer must contain at least 60 percent alcohol to eradicate harmful bacteria on your hands. After prolonged use, this formula may cause your hands to dry out. However, it will not cause permanent damage to your skin, and applying lotion or moisturizer afterward will leave your hands feeling great.

The bottom line is that effective hand hygiene, which incorporates the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is a decisive preventative action you can take to minimize the transmission of disease-causing germs and reduce your chance of becoming sick.

We hope we’ve effectively cleared up these five common hand sanitizer misconceptions for you. If you’re planning to host an outdoor event in the near future, ensure people stay hygienic with a hand sanitizer rental from Floods Royal Flush. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our rentals and services.

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