In today’s society, we are obsessed with avoiding germs to prevent illness. With the magic of modern technology we now have hand sanitizers. You can now purchase foam or gel sanitizers in different types of dispensers, colors and scents.
There are alcohol based sanitizers that come in a gel. Manufacturers claim that they kill 99.9% of most common germs that cause illness within 15 seconds. The problem is that alcohol based sanitizers dry within 8-10 seconds. While they may kill germs that are already on your hand, they will not kill any additional germs once your hands are dry. If your hands feel dry after putting some of the gel into your hand and rubbing it together than you probably did not have enough in your hands. Alcohol based sanitizers often leave your hands feeling dry and irritated as well.
Another type of foaming hand sanitizer is made from Benzalkonium chloride. This is the sanitizer you most often see at hospitals and businesses hanging on the wall. It is an alcohol-free antimicrobial solution that has been used in the health care field for well over 60 years now. It has also been found and cleaners and sterilizing agents. The advantage of using a Benzalkonium chloride is that it is non-flammable. Unfortunately not the same can be said for alcohol based sanitizers in flash fires. Persons in distance of containers of an alcohol based substance will likely suffer greater burns. Benzalkonium chloride-based hand sanitizers have residual lasting protection for hours after using it. One use can kill germs 3 hours later. Most people tend to over use the alcohol based ones because they don’t feel like their hands are clean enough. This only causes your hands to strip away the layer of cells and oil to protect your hands. This leaves you more exposed and susceptible to those illness causing germs. When you are using any product with alcohol in it over and over again, it will eventually cause redness and pain in the palms of your hands. Benzalkonium chloride products are safe and gentle on your hands for repeated multiple uses. In fact the more you use it, the more effective it becomes. Certainly this is why schools and the health care industry have chosen to use this product. They are constantly washing their hands, so they need the added protection.
Many of the sanitizers come in many different scents these days as well. You used to be able to buy some that had a lemon scent. Today, you can find it in bubble gum and grape scents. Most sanitizers have a pretty strong scent, so when you can find a good one that smells appealing to you; you will more than likely use it more. There are also many different types of dispensers that are available. You can purchase a small dispenser for a bathroom sink or a larger dispenser for public use. Hospital and school generally have the dispensers that are attached to the walls outside of the door ways.
There are just as many germs as there were 20 years ago. Luckily we now have products to kill and keep these germs from spreading.
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