About "anti-bacterial" hand gel?

[itcontinues]

It's a con. People buy it who are seeking protection from viruses because that's what the advertising implies. But it doesn't protect against viruses, only bacteria, which are less prolific than everyone thinks.
AIBU or do I need a science degree?

Chicky - yes but only for under arms and groin area. Medical advice

Oh and I used it all over for 3 days before an operation again as advised

Before surgery makes sense. And arm pits and groin regularly, that's really interesting. Can I be really cheeky and ask who advised that and for what purpose? If it's private or you don't want to talk about it or whatever though, that's cool

Maybe I'm being silly but I thought it is important for your immunity to be exposed to some bacteria and viruses so you build up resistance. Obviously in a hospital it is different but I met a woman who works UCLH researching this sort of thing and she said that having windows that open, loos that flush without touching and automatic taps, soap and hand gel dispensers make a huge difference. As ageneral rule I'm quite anti-chemicals and I've noticed my children are rarely ill compared withtheir friends who live in very clean houses. Only things I really insist on are using a scrubbing brush on nails every night, handwashing after the loo and clean cutlery, crockery and use I
Of clean boards when chopping and prepping food.

No it's fine! I have autoimmune neutropenia and hydradenitis supprativa hence the armpit/groin. The neutropenia sort of means I struggle healing the wounds left from hydradenitis
Just had surgery so I'm washing around the wound with hibiscrub. I use less than half a cap

I've heard many parents tell their kids "don't wash your hands I've got gel outside"and now You've wiped your germy hands over the door handle.
My understanding is Soap and water is best as like a previous person said there's certain strains of ecoli the gels don't work on.

It doesn't kill noro virus either. Nor does soap, but the actions of a thorough soapy hand wash washes it down the plug hole

As ageneral rule I'm quite anti-chemicals

That's the face I pull when someone tells me my drink is 'full of chemicals' HeCant

Maybe I'm being silly but I thought it is important for your immunity to be exposed to some bacteria and viruses so you build up resistance.

You're not being silly. That's basic biology.

I've noticed my children are rarely ill compared withtheir friends who live in very clean houses.

Same here.

Not sure what you mean by a clean house, but I've met kids from truly filthy ones (volunteered in India every summer when I was younger). They're always sick, smaller and thinner than average, and die earlier. Mostly because of fecal matter bacteria like ecoli etc, but also by the diseases they cause (ecoli infection can trigger meningitis in young kids who are already predisposed). So no thanks guys, all you hippy types can stuff your advice about handwash and innoculations. I'm going to keep using anti bac handwash and make my kids use it too, until someone bans it.

for lougle. Infection control high five!

Thanks Rhoda .

FuckyNell

"It doesn't kill noro virus either. Nor does soap, but the actions of a thorough soapy hand wash washes it down the plug hole"

Controversial - does it wash it down the plug hole or splash it all around the vicinity, spreading it to wider surfaces. It depends whose doing the washing, but generally, it will be spreading it because of water splashing.

Soap and gel both have their places - they should be used in the right place at the right time.

Stealth -

I don't use anything antibacterial that I can think of (workplace aside - I'm in a lab and some of the things I use are necessarily and harshly anti-bac). I used to use cleaning wipes at home but now I can't seem to find any that aren't antibacterial so I don't bother.

At work, I use hot water and soap on my hands before working in sterile conditions, with ethanol sprayed liberally on my gloves and coat cuffs.

I hate the gel stuff in portaloos.

I carry baby wipes and gel everywhere

I only use them if I can't get to soap and water i,e after picking up after my dog. Even though I don't touch the poo it feels better to use it until I get home and wash my hands properly. I would much rather wash my hands in hospital wards too!

I remember reading that consultant gastroenterologists are very strict about their kitchen and bathroom hygiene. I agree that being too sterile is a bad thing at home but you should always practise good hygiene around food and toilets etc.

Its helped keep my girl healthy and hospital use its fantastic for, especially for emergency situations where i couldn't wash my hands at least had the sanitiser to help to some degree.

You can catch viruses from touching door handles, switches etc and then touching your face. You 'eat' it! So, as a pp said I try never to touch my face

What about Fork Sharing?

lougle really interesting info there!