Do Hand Sanitizers Work?

"Yes," says Dr. Jose Munoz, the director of pediatric infections diseases at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York. But, he cautions, sanitizer and wipes shouldn't replace soap and water, especially if hands are visibly soiled. "You need to physically remove dirt to remove the germs," he explains.

For the best results, Dr. Munoz has these tips:

Use sanitizer sparingly. Many products contain alcohol or other ingredients that shouldn't go into little mouths. So teach your kids to use only a dime-sized dollop (adults should apply sanitizer to toddlers' and babies' hands). "Once the alcohol has evaporated, there's no risk of poisoning," he says.

Apply it thoroughly. Hand sanitizer evaporates quickly and doesn't spread as effectively as, say, a lotion might. So be sure to rub sanitizer all over your hands for at least 15 seconds.

Don't wipe it off. Hand sanitizer needs to air-dry. "The drying process is actually part of what kills germs," says Dr. Munoz. "As the alcohol evaporates, it essentially dehydrates them."

- Taken from the December/January 2010 issue of Family Fun Magazine (I highly recommend this magazine!)

Health Disclaimer

By MAD21

In regards to posting articles on health and fitness, I need to metion that first, I am not a doctor. If you have any questions concerning this information, please ask your doctor. This is all material I have researched myself over the past five years during my weight-loss/get healthy journey. During this time I’ve had two kids, was diagnosed with a medical disorder, had one surgery, bronchitis that lasted for four months, two broken ribs, and an injured knee. My heaviest weight was 240, and I worked very, very hard to lose 100 pounds. It took me a year and a half to get most of it off, and I’ve kept it off for almost three years. I’ve tried to find the most accurate information put out by doctors, medical associations and government offices. I hope you find this a good place to start. Feel free to research it all yourself. In fact, I encourage you to do so and then share what you find with me. I do not believe in fad diets, or in cutting any one type of food out, or depriving ourselves of our favorite foods/desserts. Our bodies need it all, sugar, fat, salt, carbs, etc. I pray you will be as blessed on your journey as I have been on mine.