Does hand sanitizer really work?

Question

I use the stuff all day long, but sometimes (like when Im in a public restroom) wonder if it's really killing germs, or just making me feel better.

Answer 1

Yes , cuz it has alcohol in it. Alcohol is what doctors use to prep people before making incisions.

Answer 2

It works. It contains alcohol, which is often used in hospitals as a cleaning agent.
Politicians on the campaign trail all use hand sanitizer- they shake so many hands every day, if they don't use it they fall sick. (and the ones that occasionally do fall sick - you'll see it in the news from time to time in election years - are the ones that don't know the hand sanitiser trick!).
Hand sanitizer is good.
Keep doing it.

Answer 3

We use it all day long at work too. It seems to dry out my hands more than hand washing does.

"According to research performed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand sanitizer is considered as effective at killing germs as washing your hands with soap and water, unless hands are visibly soiled.

The main point to remember, however, is that the alcohol content of the handrub must be at least 60 percent to be effective."

http://coldflu.about.com/od/prevention/qt/handsanitizer.htm

Answer 4

It does kill germs, and it does one hell of a job since it is pretty much alchohal

the major problem is people can use it way to much, this killing too many of the protective bactiria in your skin that you put it on and ultimatly make you get more sick more often since you are killing you bodys defence

use in moderation

Answer 5

It depends on the chemicals in the hand sanitizer.

Escessive use, however, can result in dry and cracked skin which allows bacteria or viruses to enter your system.

Sanitizers should not be a substitute for health practices like hand washing.

Answer 6

Im a nursing student. We actually had this subject come up in one of my classes. The safest way to kill bacteira is to wash your hands with an antibacterial soap. The hand santitizer adds the extra protection and it smells nice usually.

Answer 7

I say no, because I think I heard somewhere that your hand bacteria will grow immune to the anti-bacterial in there and soon it will no longer be effective. When I think of this and one of the professors uses it about 7 times a lesson, it's quite disgusting.

Answer 8

Yes, hand sanitizer, for the most part and reliable brands, do work, and very well. I and Doctors use them when they cant wash their hands in the ER. They work, dont worry.

Answer 9

Yes it works. We use it in the nursing home I work at and I know many hospitals have it to use too in between hand washing or for visitors of patients with infections.

Answer 10

It really works but it also says that you should still make it a point to wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as you can.

Answer 11

yes they work--any soap will cleanse the hands--but remeber not to touch the doorknobs on the way out---take papertowel with you and throw it out later