Personal hygiene helps keep bacteria and viruses from spreading. Proper germ prevention has long relied upon washing your hands with soap and warm water, but hand sanitizer has become a commonplace alternative. While this type of health care supply offers unique benefits—such as convenience and portability—it isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. To help you keep yourself clean and reduce the spread of illness, here are five points you should know about hand sanitizer.

Hand Sanitizer Facts

1. Its Effectiveness Isn’t Ironclad

Many alcohol-based sanitizers claim they can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, such as those that cause the cold or flu. However, these results come from laboratory tests that don’t always replicate real-world conditions. It’s also challenging to pinpoint which germs are susceptible to hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizer also only kills the harmful microorganisms it comes in contact with. As such, germs may still enter your body through many other methods, such as breathing.

2. Alcohol Content Makes a Difference

While there are many alcohol-free sanitizers available, it’s smart to choose those that contain alcohol. At a minimum, hand sanitizer should have 60% alcohol to kill germs effectively.

3. Soap & Water Are Still Preferable

Washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is considered to be more effective at killing germs than using hand sanitizer. If you have access to soap and water, stick to traditional hand washing. If you don’t, use hand sanitizer as a backup. If possible, stay on top of vaccinations to keep your immune system strong against certain illnesses.

4. Sanitizer Doesn’t Remove Everything

Dirt, grime, and other chemicals can significantly impair the effectiveness of hand sanitizer. Since this solution can’t remove these substances, you shouldn’t use it if your hands are soiled with dirt, grease, food, or other substances.

5. Misuse Can Be Dangerous

Although hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of illness, it can also cause harm to the body if misused. Specifically, swallowing this health care supply can expose the body to toxic amounts of alcohol and cause poisoning that may require emergency care from a medical professional. Rubbing sanitizer in your eyes may also cause irritation.

When you need resources in the fight against germs, contact Bernens Medical & Pharmacy. Providing health care supplies to the Cincinnati, OH, community for more than 55 years, this local drugstore is a top resource for dependable antibacterial dish soaps and hand sanitizers. And as a full-service pharmacy, this caring team can also prepare antibiotic and antiviral prescriptions you may need to fight infection. To learn more about their medical supplies and services, visit this pharmacy online. For help filling a prescription, call (513) 471-7575.