Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Side Effects
Antibacterial hand sanitizer has been used extensively to help prevent the spread of germs and diseases, such as the common flu 12. However, side effects from overuse, individual sensitivity and the chemicals contained in hand sanitizers, raised enough concerns for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning about its use in 2010. Moderate use along with the common sense to only use the product as indicated may protect the user from any of the possible side effects.
Skin Irritation
Antibacterial hand sanitizer use may cause skin sensitivity in the form of itching, burning sensation or dry skin 12. Most forms of the sanitizer contain alcohol, which can easily cause redness, dryness and even peeling of skin, especially if used too often. PDR Health recommends not using antibacterial hand sanitizer over large areas of the body, but rather keep the use limited to hand sanitizing only 12. Areas of the body to especially avoid using antibacterial hand sanitizer on include your eyes, ears, mouth, nose and genital areas 12. Also be sure not to use the cleanser on a baby or very young child because the sensitivity and susceptibility of skin irritation in very young children.
Increased UV Sensitivity
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Using antibacterial hand sanitizer can increase your skin sensitivity to the ultra violet rays that may cause sunburn in sunlight 12. Exposure to natural sunlight and using either sunlamps or tanning beds should be avoided when using the sanitizer. PDR Health advises protecting your skin with higher levels of sunscreen than normal if you use hand sanitizer 12.
Reduced Effectiveness
Using antibacterial hand sanitizer can have the side effect of increasing the body’s susceptibility to infection instead of protecting against infection 12. There is both a possible increase of antibiotic resistance and decreased ability to fight infection with continued use of hand sanitizers, according to Drug Watch 2. Using antibacterial hand sanitizers may actually be less effective than traditional soap and water according to Dr. Sarah Janssen of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Hormone Reaction
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Antibacterial hand sanitizers can cause possible negative effects on thyroid hormones and estrogen levels. Concerns about the safety of triclosan, a commonly found chemical in hand sanitizer, was reported by Drug Watch 12. Even though the chemical is found in many items, from hand sanitizer to cosmetics and even toothpaste, the FDA has stated it will continue to study the chemical 12.
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References
- PDR Health: Hand Sanitizer
- Drug Watch: Hand Sanitizer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Statement for Healthcare Personnel on Hand Hygiene during the Response to the International Emergence of COVID-19. Updated March 14, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chemical disinfectants. Updated September 18, 2016.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When and How to Wash Your Hands. Updated October 3, 2019.
- Vermeil T, Peters A, Kilpatrick C, Pires D, Allegranzi B, Pittet D. Hand hygiene in hospitals: anatomy of a revolution. J Hosp Infect. 2019;101(4):383-392. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2018.09.003
- McEgan R, Danyluk MD. Evaluation of aqueous and alcohol-based quaternary ammonium sanitizers for inactivating Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on peanut and pistachio shells. Food Microbiol. 2015;47:93-98. doi:10.1016/j.fm.2014.11.010
- Inaida S, Shobugawa Y, Matsuno S, Saito R, Suzuki H. Delayed norovirus epidemic in the 2009-2010 season in Japan: potential relationship with intensive hand sanitizer use for pandemic influenza. Epidemiol Infect. 2016;144(12):2561-2567. doi:10.1017/S0950268816000984
- Stebbins S, Cummings DA, Stark JH, et al. Reduction in the incidence of influenza A but not influenza B associated with use of hand sanitizer and cough hygiene in schools: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011;30(11):921-926. doi:10.1097/INF.0b013e3182218656
- Azor-Martinez E, Yui-Hifume R, Muñoz-Vico FJ, et al. Effectiveness of a hand hygiene program at child care centers: A cluster randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2018;142(5):e20181245. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-1245
- Blaney DD, Daly ER, Kirkland KB, Tongren JE, Kelso PT, Talbot EA. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a risk factor for norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities in northern New England: December 2006 to March 2007. Am J Infect Control. 2011;39(4):296-301. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2010.10.010
- Wilson AM, Reynolds KA, Jaykus LA, Escudero-Abarca B, Gerba CP. Comparison of estimated norovirus infection risk reductions for a single fomite contact scenario with residual and nonresidual hand sanitizers. Am J Infect Control. 2019;S0196-6553(19)30846-6. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2019.09.010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Handwashing: Clean hands save lives. Updated January 14, 2020.
Writer Bio
Richard Nilsen writes poetry, fiction, features and news stories in upstate New York. He was an emergency mental-health consultant for 20 years and directed a mentoring agency for a decade. Nilsen is a black-fly control technician in the Adirondack Park, where he enjoys hiking, biking and boating.