Antibacterial hand gel safe in pregnancy?

[Youzanne201]

Hi everyone,

As if there isn't enough to stress over just now I'm now wondering whether hand sanitiser is safe to use in pregnancy. I'm 11 weeks pregnant but have been using it at least once a day (ethanol 70%) for the last three weeks.

I just decided to google it and have found some conflicting information.

Does anyone know if this will have a negative effect in early pregnancy?

TIA

Iv never even thought of this.
I should imagine so as it's all over the hospitals where you go for scans etc.. x

Yes it’s fine, so long as you aren’t drinking it

As I’m a HCP I used tons of the stuff! Never been an issue. It doesn’t come up when I’m risk assessing pregnant colleagues so I really doubt there is an issue. Happy to learn otherwise.

It is fine, just don't drink it or inject it intravenously!

The alcohol evaporates, it doesn't absorb into your skin. I've been working in operating theatres and ICU through 2 pregnancies, washing / gelling my hands tens if not hundreds of times a day. The only thing I was told to avoid was the iodine based surgical handwash.