As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major concern for the entire world, hand sanitizer is one of the most sought after and used products on the face of the earth. Every few minutes, especially in public, people around the world spray, spray, or mist hand sanitizer. But as we continue to use, and possibly overuse, this essential product during these difficult times, how much do we really know about hand sanitizer and its effects on our bodies? It can kill germs topically, but does it have any internal effects on the body? Let’s explore the current sanitation craze and how hand sanitizer could be ruining your health.
Can too much of a good thing actually be bad for you?
Worldwide, demand for hand sanitizer has increased 16-fold from December 2019 to March 2020. This is due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and more and more people around the world wanting to end the spread of germs as much as possible. In general, people are becoming more confrontational about their personal hygiene and how proximity to others affects and instigates the spread of germs. All of this seems like we’re headed in the right direction, with the exception of one problem: too much of a good thing can actually be bad for you. It is possible to overuse hand sanitizer and actually put your health at serious risk.
How serious is overuse of hand sanitizer?
Research shows that overuse of any skin disinfectant, such as hand sanitizer, can actually kill bad bacteria as well as good bacteria. This is because hand sanitizer can disrupt entire microbiomes and bacterial communities, which are the same defenses that keep users safe from getting sick. “One aspect of hand sanitizers that is often overlooked is that they can affect the body’s microbiomes in several ways, and some of them could be bad,” said microbiologist Jonathan Eisen. Without good bacteria, we need to maintain a protective and healthy balance, our physical systems are more susceptible to disease and infection.
So how much hand sanitizer should we use?
It is recommended that, when possible, washing your hands is actually the best line of defense against bad germs, because it does not kill good germs like hand sanitizer does. Top experts say we shouldn’t use hand sanitizer every day if possible. If you are not interacting directly with the public, hand sanitizer should be the second option after hand washing.
