Antibacterial hand gel - didn't know where to ask this

[Tickawicka]

As someone who used to have an OCD about germs and cleanliness, I have observed the invention and use of antibacterial hand gel with interest.

Presumably it works, which is why it is used in hospitals, which is mainly where I have used it.

But, here's the question, you are not in a hospital and you have two alternatives: washing your hands with soap, or putting the gel on, what's the best one?

And if you had a small - not-been-out-of-nappies-long - child who wanted to use gel rather than washing their hands, should you let them or should you get them to wash their hands?

Do you think that in the future no-one will wash their hands and we will all use gel instead?

Sorry for the funny question.

washing hands with soap and water is my preferred method however, I carry gel everywhere I go too.

Today I went shopping with my 3 children. As we got in the lift and my dd (aged 10) said "Mummy have you seen the swine flu ad?"

I have (a man sneezing in a lift and everything being covered in saliva) so when we got out of the lift, all 4 of us gave our hands a quick "clean" with the gel and then we all washed our hands properly when we got home.

As someone who has been working on swine flu for the past 10 days then hand washing is best, but gel is a good substitute if washing hands is not available.

I carry gel

Most things I come across are not swine flu

Right now the isue here is bacterial conjunctivitis and gel very handy as a result

But hand washing best of all I reckon- but only when done properly

We're all different aren't we? I'd rather use a bar of soap than a dispenser - all those pooey fingers handling the lever! Bet it never gets cleaned!

What about baby wipes? Are they less effective than gel? We tend to have packets of these in the car and use them for picnics etc. Never had gel, it smacks of 'over-protectiveness' to me and a marketing ploy to get us all worried about germs.

We have anti bac wipes in the nappy bag, toddler safe ones so can use on ds4

Not often- but for examle a few weeks back another baby threw up over him so could give ds and floor a quick wipe without making the other Mum think I was being panicky

They all have their place if used sensibly

Elling, I do agree with you...the only time I have that gel in my "pocket" is on Placement (student OT....for those just incase moments....)
but I don't use them at home or in normal environments, because, well, tehy are not terribly good for the skin and of course, teh more things like that are used, the tougher the bugs get....

I would use both if there were both available. If there was a choice I would choose soap and water. My hands don't actually feel clean with just the gel

Washing hands a much better habit than gel IMO. As you can always wash hands after toilet etc but you might not have gel on you.

If she will only use gel you will have to provide it otherwise she will get upset/throw a wobbler/make a comment when at friends house where there is no gel.

It's something else to remember to pack with her every time she goes out.

Plus it's going to cost you a fortune.

I reckon it's more trouble than it's worth. Fine for occasional use/out and about but not to be her primary hand-washing thing IMO.

But then I am kind of grubby relaxed so don't take too much notice!

I use both, particularly at work as I have noticed a lot of people do not wash their hands. This means their germy hands on the door handle as they leave. So I wash my hands to clean them and get rid of the germs then I use the gel after I have left the toilets to get everyone else's germs off my hands.

soap and water - surely that washes stuff off your hands rather than just rubbing it in and killing a few germs.
Would use gel if necessary though - but as another poster said would also use babywipes to have the feeling of dirt coming off my hands iyswim

As a student nurse, we were told we could use the gel up to a maximum of 5 times, then we had to wash with soap and water. Washing is always preferable, but you have to do it well and not just diddle like my Mother.

I carry the gel with me. If I change a nappy or use a public loo I like to use it because loads of people don't wash their hands after using the toilet and then touch the door handel, etc. I use it on ds too when he is about to eat if we are out and about.

might have been 5 times not 3 times what they told us, too....lol...couldn't quite remember....

I do often feel concerned about the number of people worrying about "germs".

We all come into contact with other people all the time and in the main we are OK.

Yes of course we catch colds etc and sneezing into tissues if poss and so on are obvious, spitting turns my stomach. But I think a lot of people are getting paranoid.

I put a lot of it down to those ads for household cleaners with stuff like that kid waving a bit of carrot which suddenly morphs into a dripping piece of raw chicken...

Basic hygeine, yes, but we need to be exposed to some germs to keep out immune systems ticking over.

I think a lot of it is down to marketing playing on our natural fears and TBH it really bothers me.

Lol at carrot scenario!

I have read half of the posts and whated to go to bed but wanted to reply first. So From a scientist (with a bit of microbiological training). On the assumption that the gel contains a sufficient level of alcohol (40% I think)...

Gel will not kill bugs if the hands are dirty - gel (along with other disinfectants) generally do not penetrate effectively through a dirt layer - same is true on your kitchen surfaces.

Gel (alcohol based) actually dries out your skin, leading to cracks and micro-fissures allowing bugs to penetrate. Bugs on the skin do not hurt (healthy individuals). Bugs under teh skin = BAD

Gel will kill most (but certainly not all) micro-organisms. Yeasts, bacteria, mycoplasmas, and viruses - including I believe flu virus.

Soap (proper lathering soap) will remove most bugs from the skin as most (nasty) bugs live in the dirt layer. Nice bugs have evolved to become resistant/resiliant to the soap and water routine that we have developed over the years so soap and water does not destroy our symbiotic relationships.

Soap and water will inactivate many micro-organisms too as the soap disrupts there membrane and protein structures.

And yes we do need to expose ourselve to some environmental bugs to maintain a healthy immune system. Living in sterlility (or attempting to) is unhealthy.

So my conclusion

Washing with soap and water is first choice.

Alcohol gel appropriate in scenraios where soap and water not available OR where there is a reason to specifically reduce the bug level on ones hands - for example in teh clinical setting.

i use the gel for post toilet when out and about as I have a child who is terrified of hand dryers so we had to have some alternative. We also use it before eating when out and about.

I have a small pen like stick that is a spray - so very convenient and then I have a small bottle in the nappy bag. I have also used antibacterial hand wipes if I have not been able to get my usual type.

When you have a child who is traumatised by the noise of a hand dryer and all the toilets you seem to frequent only have hand dryers then you will do what it takes to minimise that and if carry a small bottle of antibacterial gel around does that - who cares.

At home when she has access to towels or at kindy where she spends most of her time and has access to paper towels dd2 washes her hands.

i really dont get why people use alcohol gel out of choice. outside of the hospital environment its designed for emergencies (portaloos/unscheduled nappy changes etc etc) and those people paranoid to think that that the need to removed every germ from their hands.

also you can only apply gel a certain number of times before you need to wash it off with soap and water (am on mat leave so dont have the infection control stats to hand)

the only times i have used gel over soap and water is in patients homes where i dont get offered a clean hand towel and have no desire to dry my hands with other peoples germs/bacteria.

No small children here now, but I use gel after eg filling car with fuel.

Must be better than nothing (though obv not as good as soap & water, but most filling stations don't provide that on the forecourt )

Do you really think bugs can live in fuel?

Although I can see the odor bnefits (rank Diesel).

Personally I just use the PVC gloves provided at teh pumps.

Seriously Ponders?

Yes???

Oh not for bugs, for horrible greasiness of diesel!!! I always end up with it all over my hands.

When kids were small I used to keep baby wipes or general cleansing wipes in the glovebox for grubby hands.

I see! I thought you meant because some unhygenic person had used it before you.

Don't forget, washing hands is only properly effective if you dry your hands well afterwards, otherwise the germs live on anyway. (hospital rules!)

Wonder how clean the hand towels are...

after a dirty nappy I use gel before I re-dress DS, then wash hands when I get downstairs. Over the top? Possibly. But 3 bouts of gastric flu over the winter, and I'm as cautious as I can be! no harn in that (you can always get hand cream)

You can get hand cream Sheeta.
But I think and I may wel be wrong that as well as allowing bugs in through cracks with teh hand gel that the alcohol can directly absorb through the skin taking any bugs that haven't been inactivated with it.

I may be wrong.

In the environment where I work (microbiology rather than clinical) the HSE actally recommend against alcohol as a skin sanitizer for the reasons which I outlined.