Hand sanitisers.

[pam290358]

I’m prepared to accept that my paranoia levels have been affected by lockdown, but can I ask if people check the sanitisers made available in GP surgeries/hospitals and in banks and shops ? I’ve started checking these products before I agree to use them - I have a health condition which affects my immune system and I’ve always been advised to be careful about using antibacterial products, unless medically prescribed, as they can lower immunity further. I’m concerned that apart from my GP surgery, the vast majority of places I’ve visited are offering widely available standard high street antibacterial sanitisers. A virus is totally different from a bacterial infection and so these products are useless against Covid 19, as well as actively interfering with our ability to fight bacteria. I refuse these products when offered but have given up trying to explain why, as I just get odd looks. Any thoughts ? I hasten to add, I do wash my hands regularly with soap and water.

The sanitisers over whatever %age it is (70?) are effective against coronaviruses because they destroy the lipid layer and cause the virus to fall apart.

No I don't check. I do however use my own bought one at 80% alcohol that I know is effective and that I don't react to.

They will be using the high alcohol ones that are available every where. Take your own if you don't trust them to know what they are doing.

Useful article, and it's 60% (by volume)

www.which.co.uk/news/2020/04/hand-hygiene-soap-and-sanitiser-gel-what-you-need-to-know/

What I want to know is, after 9 months of using hand sanitisers and washing our hands constantly, are we now allowed to take a shower?

Hi OP. I would be seriously questioning the advice you had about your immune system being affected by using these. As far as I can see there is absolutely zero scientific basis for this.

I understand your concerns, my immune system isn't special either. But using anti bacterial gel doesn't affect your immune system. Your immune system is made up of a lot of different systems from your spleen, liver, skin, blood through various cells etc. I can't see as there's a possible way in which using handwash/sanitiser is going to negatively affect this system which works with everything in harmony to protect you from millions of bugs you don't even know you've been exposed to.

Anyway, it wasn't meant to be a lecture
but now of a heads up so you don't worry yourself into oblivion over it, because the scientific evidence is not there. I understand how you're feeling, and as ever, do whatever works for you.

@ housemdwaswrong. The advice was based on the over use of any anti bacterial products, not just hand gel. This is what raised a red flag with me, as they’re much more in use because of the pandemic. It’s my understanding that over use means the immune system doesn’t build up immunity as quickly in the same way as over use of antibiotics leads to drug resistant infection.

Hi.

Hmm. I've done a bit of looking into this because I take immunosupressants etc to manage my crappy immune system. I have found no research that supports it. Norhing not to say it's not there of course, but certainly outweighed in the public domain at least by those that say it's not the case.

Antibiotics yes, but not antibacterial.

Anyway, just wanted to put that out there. I hope you're managing okay, it's not much fun having dodgy immune systems atm. :/

@pam290358

@ housemdwaswrong. The advice was based on the over use of any anti bacterial products, not just hand gel. This is what raised a red flag with me, as they’re much more in use because of the pandemic. It’s my understanding that over use means the immune system doesn’t build up immunity as quickly in the same way as over use of antibiotics leads to drug resistant infection.

Overuse of antibiotics has led to drug resistant pathogens through natural selection, it's nothing to do with your immune system not building up immunity so quickly

I think you have may have misunderstood the advice you were given. I suspect they meant that it is better to be exposed to small amounts of pathogens that your immune system can cope with and develop immunity to rather than living in a sterile environment and never be exposed to pathogens and, therefore, never develop immunity.

It won't make any difference to your ability to fight bacteria if you use an alcohol sanitiser or soap and water instead. They are both going to kill/wash away bacteria. All soap is "anti-bacterial", it's just that some have added ingredients that make them more effective.

At the moment, it's more of a risk not to clean your hands either using the hand sanitiser (which will destroy the virus if it has a high enough alcohol content) or by washing your hands instead.

A virus is totally different from a bacterial infection and so these products are useless against Covid 19, as well as actively interfering with our ability to fight bacteria.

The first sentence is correct, but >65% alcohol is effective against Covid, and I have no idea how alcohol, or any topical biocides, could have the effect you’re describing.

I take my own everywhere

Sorry OP I meant to add - hand washing is better though, you’re right about that. Alcohol doesn’t work too well on physically dirty surfaces.