Hand Sanitizers...Do They Really Work?

[deborahbroadus]

http://biology.about.com/od/microbiology/a/handsanitizers.htm

Antibacterial hand sanitizers are marketed to the public as an effective way to "wash one's hands" when traditional soap and water are not available. These "waterless" products are particularly popular with parents of small children. Manufacturers of hand sanitizers claim that the sanitizers kill 99.9 percent of germs. Since you naturally use hand sanitizers to cleanse your hands, the assumption is that 99.9 percent of harmful germs are killed by the sanitizers. Recent research suggests that this is not the case.

How do hand sanitizers work?

Hand sanitizers work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin. This usually prevents bacteria present in the body from coming to the surface of the hand. However, these bacteria that are normally present in the body are generally not the kinds of bacteria that will make us sick. In a review of the research, Barbara Almanza, an associate professor at Purdue University who teaches safe sanitation practices to workers, came to an interesting conclusion. She notes that the research shows that hand sanitizers do not significantly reduce the number of bacteria on the hand and in some cases may potentially increase the amount of bacteria on the hand. So the question arises, how can the manufacturers make the 99.9 percent claim?

How can the manufacturers make the 99.9 percent claim?

The manufacturers of the products test the products on inanimate surfaces hence they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 percent of bacteria killed. If the products were fully tested on hands, there would no doubt be different results.
Since there is inherent complexity in the human hand, testing hands would definitely be more difficult. Using surfaces with controlled variables is an easier way to obtain some type of consistency in the results. But as we are all aware, everyday life is not as consistent.

Hand Sanitizers vs. Soap and Water
Interestingly enough, the Food and Drug Administration, in regards to regulations concerning proper procedures for food services, recommends that hand sanitizers not be used in place of soap and water but only as an adjunct.

Likewise, Almanza recommends that to properly sanitize the hands, soap and water should be used. A hand sanitizer can not and should not take the place of proper cleansing procedures with soap and water. What about antibacterial soaps?

Research on the use of antibacterial soaps has shown that plain soaps are just as effective as antibacterial soaps in reducing bacteria related illnesses. In fact, using consumer antibacterial soap products may increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics in some bacteria. These conclusions only apply to consumer antibacterial soaps and not to those used in hospitals or other clinical areas.

Other studies suggest that ultra-clean environments and the persistent use of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers may inhibit proper immune system development in children. This is because inflammatory systems require greater exposure to common germs for proper development.

[RustyNuts]

The local pet shop owner and I had a discussion about this a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to have to share this with him. Thanks!

[deborahbroadus]

The local pet shop owner and I had a discussion about this a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to have to share this with him. Thanks!

Came across this study (or a similar one) when I first started seeing those hand sanitizers popping up on tables at Reptile Shows; it was a great idea, so I thought.

I researched to make sure that it was actually doing the job that I was hoping it was doing....:ack2:

[RustyNuts]

I never trusted the hand sanitizers at expos anyway, so every time I handle a new snake at an expo I roll up my sleeves beforehand and then immediately head for the bathroom afterward to wash my hands and arms. I don't care how clean someone's table and/or animals are, I don't want to bring anything home with me.

[deborahbroadus]

I never trusted the hand sanitizers at expos anyway, so every time I handle a new snake at an expo I roll up my sleeves beforehand and then immediately head for the bathroom afterward to wash my hands and arms. I don't care how clean someone's table and/or animals are, I don't want to bring anything home with me.

I just stopped touching animals, because usually an animal that I was interested in, was way too far from the bathroom and my understanding is that pathogenes can hitch rides on clothes anyway.:shrug01:

It progress from not touching..to running in to get supplies, and doing a once around the block sightsee and then out the back door.:rofl:

[Lucille]

I did not use hand sanitizers when working as a nurse, always used soap and water. Many of my nurse peers make a similar choice. Considering what one might find at an expo, I myself would definitely play it safe and use what I personally deem more effective.

[hhmoore]

The hand sanitizers are fairly effective at their intended purpose...but, just like disinfectants, most people combine unrealistic expectations with incorrect use.
a) the most effective hand sanitizers are over 60% alcohol.
b) effectiveness is greatly reduced with any soiling (just like with cages - clean first, then disinfect)
c) Technique is still important. Most people don't wash effectively (for antimicrobial reduction), and they don't use sanitizers effectively either. The process needs to involve a sufficient amount of sanitizer, and reasonably brisk rubbing of then hands...care needs to be taken to include ALL surfaces, ie between fingers, fingertips, and nails.

I'm sure I can dig up multiple studies that show a reduction of microbes with proper use of hand sanitizers...but it bears pointing out that there will always be the occasional cases that don't show improvement or show increased presence, and that some pathogens aren't likely to be significantly impacted with the small exposure time of "normal" hand cleaning.

[deborahbroadus]

Aways willing to learn something new, because research results are: The manufacturers of the products test the products on inanimate surfaces hence they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 percent of bacteria killed. If the products were fully tested on hands, there would no doubt be different results. so if you can dig up some research results of Hand/skin applications, that would be great.

The hand sanitizers are fairly effective at their intended purpose...but, just like disinfectants, most people combine unrealistic expectations with incorrect use.
a) the most effective hand sanitizers are over 60% alcohol.
b) effectiveness is greatly reduced with any soiling (just like with cages - clean first, then disinfect)
c) Technique is still important. Most people don't wash effectively (for antimicrobial reduction), and they don't use sanitizers effectively either. The process needs to involve a sufficient amount of sanitizer, and reasonably brisk rubbing of then hands...care needs to be taken to include ALL surfaces, ie between fingers, fingertips, and nails.

I'm sure I can dig up multiple studies that show a reduction of microbes with proper use of hand sanitizers...but it bears pointing out that there will always be the occasional cases that don't show improvement or show increased presence, and that some pathogens aren't likely to be significantly impacted with the small exposure time of "normal" hand cleaning.

[deborahbroadus]

Dang..can't edit!

Aways willing to learn something new, because research results are:
The manufacturers of the products test the products on inanimate surfaces hence they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 percent of bacteria killed. If the products were fully tested on hands, there would no doubt be different results.

So if you can dig up some research results of Hand/skin applications, that would be great.

[hhmoore]

So if you can dig up some research results of Hand/skin applications, that would be great.

Hand cleaner tests on nonporous surfaces are nothing more than tests of the ingredients....you know me better than that, Deborah :D.

[KelliH]

I don't think they are all that effective, and I think they make us feel better to have them at shows.

[The BoidSmith]

The hand sanitizers are fairly effective at their intended purpose...but, just like disinfectants, most people combine unrealistic expectations with incorrect use.
a) the most effective hand sanitizers are over 60% alcohol.
b) effectiveness is greatly reduced with any soiling (just like with cages - clean first, then disinfect)
c) Technique is still important. Most people don't wash effectively (for antimicrobial reduction), and they don't use sanitizers effectively either. The process needs to involve a sufficient amount of sanitizer, and reasonably brisk rubbing of then hands...care needs to be taken to include ALL surfaces, ie between fingers, fingertips, and nails.

I'm sure I can dig up multiple studies that show a reduction of microbes with proper use of hand sanitizers...but it bears pointing out that there will always be the occasional cases that don't show improvement or show increased presence, and that some pathogens aren't likely to be significantly impacted with the small exposure time of "normal" hand cleaning.

Jerry,

You may want to share Harald's excellent reply. To put it in very simple terms: "soaps clean, sanitizers kill", the combination of both procedures provides for a better sanitation.

[deborahbroadus]

Jerry,

You may want to share Harald's excellent reply. To put it in very simple terms: "soaps clean, sanitizers kill", the combination of both procedures provides for a better sanitation.

Where did the research say "(Hand) Sanitizers Kill?" I read it as it stripped the oil from our skin.

How do hand sanitizers work?

Hand sanitizers work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin. This usually prevents bacteria present in the body from coming to the surface of the hand. However, these bacteria that are normally present in the body are generally not the kinds of bacteria that will make us sick. In a review of the research, Barbara Almanza, an associate professor at Purdue University who teaches safe sanitation practices to workers, came to an interesting conclusion. She notes that the research shows that hand sanitizers do not significantly reduce the number of bacteria on the hand and in some cases may potentially increase the amount of bacteria on the hand.

[deborahbroadus]

Hand cleaner tests on nonporous surfaces are nothing more than tests of the ingredients....you know me better than that, Deborah :D.

Oh, Harald...I was going by your statement here: I'm sure I can dig up multiple studies that show a reduction of microbes with proper use of hand sanitizers:)

[deborahbroadus]

I don't think they are all that effective, and I think they make us feel better to have them at shows.

:iagree:

[The BoidSmith]

Deb,

Hand sanitizers are mostly alcohol-based. Because of this reason they will in effect remove the oil from your skin (fat is soluble in alcohol) but at the same will kill in one minute nearly all bacteria and viruses by disrupting the cell membrane.

Best

[Lucille]

I'm sure I can dig up multiple studies that show a reduction of microbes with proper use of hand sanitizers....

There are other studies showing handwashing is more effective. I'm not making choices for anyone, but at least some people are showing enough concern that they are thinking about the consequences of going to shows and possibl handling various critters, and then returning home to their collections.

[RustyNuts]

No doubt they serve to reduce the risk of transferring disease, etc., I just doubt that they are as effective as we are led to believe. I use hand sanitizer at home when going from cage to cage while feeding and/or cleaning, but I don't consider it a complete safeguard against anything.

[The BoidSmith]

No, they can't to magic, the dirtier the hands are the less effective they will be. That's why Harald's response was right on the money, particularly his thrid point:

c) Technique is still important. Most people don't wash effectively (for antimicrobial reduction), and they don't use sanitizers effectively either. The process needs to involve a sufficient amount of sanitizer, and reasonably brisk rubbing of then hands...care needs to be taken to include ALL surfaces, ie between fingers, fingertips, and nails.

[deborahbroadus]

No doubt they serve to reduce the risk of transferring disease, etc., I just doubt that they are as effective as we are led to believe. I use hand sanitizer at home when going from cage to cage while feeding and/or cleaning, but I don't consider it a complete safeguard against anything.

(to the bolded) Exactly...the more people that are aware of this, the more they can guard themselves.

[deborahbroadus]

Deb,

Hand sanitizers are mostly alcohol-based. Because of this reason they will in effect remove the oil from your skin (fat is soluble in alcohol) but at the same will kill in one minute nearly all bacteria and viruses by disrupting the cell membrane.
Best

What research showed that?
Thanks.

[The BoidSmith]

Here's an article from the British Journal of Medicine:

BMJ. 2003 January 4; 326(7379): 50. PMCID: PMC1124940

Copyright © 2003, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
Alcohol handrubs v soap
Finnish experience shows that alcohol rubs are good for hands
Juhani Ojajarvi, senior medical officer
National Agency for Medicines, Medical Devices Centre, PO Box 55, F-00301 Helsinki, Finland ; Email: juhani.ojajarvi@nam.fi Editor—Girou et al compared the use of alcohol based handrubs with standard handwashing.1 Such handrubs have been used in Finland since the 1980s, and handrubbing is the preferred choice for hand hygiene in health care.Healthcare workers have accepted the method, and complaints of dry skin are fewer than with using other hand hygiene products.2,3 Alcoholic preparations must of course contain skin emollients such as 1-2% glycerol to prevent drying of the skin.References1. Girou E, Loyeau S, Legrand P, Oppein F, Brun-Boisson C. Efficacy of handrubbing with alcohol based solution versus standard handwashing with antiseptic soap: randomised clinical trial. BMJ. 2002;325:362. . (17 August.) [PMC free article] [PubMed]
2. Ojajärvi J, Mäkelä P, Rantasalo I. Failure of hand disinfection with frequent hand washing: a need for profield studies. J Hyg. 1977;79:107–119. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
3. Ojajärvi J. Handwashing in Finland. J Hosp Infect. 1991;18(suppl B):35–40. [PubMed]
BMJ. 2003 January 4; 326(7379): 50. > Response
Copyright © 2003, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
Alcohol handrub removes methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Arti Thakerar, fourth year medical student
Barts and the Royal London Hospitals and School of Medicine, London E1 2AD ; Email: arti_thakerar@doctorsworld.comCollin Goodbourn, consultant microbiologist
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London E11 1NR Editor—Girou et al showed that handrubbing with an alcohol based solution is significantly more efficient than handwashing with antiseptic soap in reducing hand contamination during routine patient care.1-1 We conducted a similar study of the efficacy of an alcohol handrub (70% ethanol, carbomer, isopropyl myristate, glycerine, monopropylene glycol, vitamin E, and demineralised water; Guest Medical, Kent, UK) in eliminating methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus from the fingertips of hospital staff at work.The study was conducted in a large district general hospital in north London in December 2001. Altogether, 110 healthcare staff including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, healthcare support workers, administrators, and porters were approached at random in their area of work on a single day and invited to take part anonymously. There was no prior knowledge of the study. Each member of staff was asked to place prints of their dominant thumb, index finger, and middle finger onto a plate of Baird Parker agar (selective for S aureus). Two squirts (around 0.5 ml in total) from a 50 ml pocket size dispenser of the alcohol handrub were then sprayed onto their hands, and they were asked to apply this as they would normally—with no extra instruction. After the alcohol was allowed to dry fully, fingerprints were taken again in the same way onto a fresh agar plate. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours.Typical colonies were confirmed as S aureus and checked for methicillin sensitivity in the normal way. We found that before using the handrub 25 of the 110 staff formed one or more colony forming units of methicillin resistant S aureus from their fingerprints. Most grades of staff had some positive results, although most of the positive results were from those working in two or three specific areas in the hospital. After using handrub only three members of staff grew colonies from their fingerprints.This illustrates the efficacy of an alcohol handrub in reducing hand contamination with methicillin resistant S aureus at work. We plan to repeat the exercise every quarter both as surveillance and as a useful practical educational tool for staff.References1-1. Girou E, Loyeau S, Legrand P, Oppein F, Brun-Boisson C. Efficacy of handrubbing with alcohol based solution versus standard handwashing with antiseptic soap: randomised clinical trial. BMJ. 2002;325:362. . (17 August.) [PMC free article] [PubMed]

[hhmoore]

at least some people are showing enough concern that they are thinking about the consequences of going to shows and possibl handling various critters, and then returning home to their collections.
People should be concerned...and it isn't something that is just happening now. It is an awakening that comes with time, experience, and awareness.

As far as hand sanitizers - one of the biggest benefits is convenience, and the improved compliance that may bring. I've been in healthcare since before hand sanitizers were the standard, and initially a lot of people were resistant and doubting...it was change, after all. Over time, and with education - as well as a significant increase in the placement of dispensers - more people (staff, patients, and visitors) are using them routinely. The compliance rate is much higher than with soap & water; and, realistically, sanitizers are easier to use effectively.

I just doubt that they are as effective as we are led to believe.
That comes back to proper technique...and realistic expectations.

[The BoidSmith]

Deb,

Here's research from the CDC. The key is the concentration. Sanitizers with 30-40% water work better than 100% alcohol as they penetrate easily inside bacteria.

Hand Sanitizer Alert
Scott A. Reynolds,* Foster Levy,† and Elaine S. Walker*†
*James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee, USA; and †East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA

Suggested citation for this article


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the Editor: Community-based epidemiologic studies have shown beneficial effects of hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers were effective in reducing gastrointestinal illnesses in households (1), in curbing absentee rates in elementary schools (2), and in reducing illnesses in university dormitories (3). An Internet search retrieved recommendations for hand hygiene from schools, daycare centers, outdoor guides, and animal shelters.

To reduce infections in healthcare settings, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended as a component of hand hygiene (4). For alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (5) recommends a concentration of 60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol, the concentration range of greatest germicidal efficacy. While nonhealthcare groups also recommend alcohol-based hand sanitizers, they usually do not specify an appropriate concentration of alcohol.

Some products marketed to the public as antimicrobial hand sanitizers are not effective in reducing bacterial counts on hands. In the course of a classroom demonstration of the comparative efficacy of hospital-grade antimicrobial soap and alcohol-based sanitizers, a product with 40% ethanol as the active ingredient was purchased at a retail discount store. Despite a label claim of reducing "germs and harmful bacteria" by 99.9%, we observed an apparent increase in the concentration of bacteria in handprints impressed on agar plates after cleansing. None of the other hand cleaners showed such an effect.

Subsequently, we conducted more formal handwashing trials to verify the preliminary finding. Our goal was not to test the products by using the FDA tentative final monograph standard (5) but to determine whether a marketed product fails as an antiseptic because of its low alcohol content. To test whether the relatively low concentration of ethanol was the source of treatment failure, we included trials with laboratory-formulated 40% ethanol; we also supplemented the suspect gel with ethanol to a final concentration of 62%. Five hand hygiene treatments were compared: tap water (4 trials), 40% ethanol (5 trials), commercial gels with active ingredients of either 40% or 62% ethanol (9 trials each), and commercial 40% gel supplemented to 62% (5 trials).

At the beginning of each work day, the dominant hand of each volunteer was placed on 150-mm tryptic soy agar plates for 5 s, followed by hand treatment. Each alcohol-based hand treatment involved wetting the hands with 1.5 mL test product followed by vigorously rubbing hands together for 15 s. The tap water treatment differed in that hands were held under running water and vigorously rubbed together for 15 s, followed by air drying. After hands were dry, they were reapplied to a fresh plate for 5 s. Participants were assigned to treatments randomly, but each had to complete each treatment in a week. CFU counts before and after treatment were log transformed to normalize data and compared by using paired t tests.

Tap water, 40% ethanol, and 40% ethanol gel yielded no significant reductions in CFU (Table). The 40% gel supplemented with ethanol to a final concentration of 62% reduced the mean CFU by 90%, a level of reduction similar to that of the 62% ethanol gel. Moreover, the 62% gel and the supplemented 40% gel reduced CFU by >50% on all participants. In contrast, only one third of participants showed >50% reductions with 40% gel, one fifth with 40% ethanol, and none with tap water. Differences in pretreatment CFU were not significant (analysis of variance F = 1.81, df = 4, 27, p = 0.16). In addition to failing to decrease CFU, colonies were more evenly distributed on postwash plates after use of 40% gel. The even postwash colony distribution may be caused by dispersion of aggregates of microbes without sufficient killing.

Qualitative colony assessment suggested 40% gel and 40% ethanol were as effective as 62% gel against fungi; in contrast, bacterial CFU tended to show little change or increases. The most prevalent bacteria were staphylococci, including those with characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus.

After conducting experiments, a survey of 6 local retail chains found no substandard products. In the fall of 2005, a more extensive survey of 18 retail chains (supermarkets, drug stores, general retailers, specialty shops) uncovered a substandard product at all 3 stores of 1 deep-discount chain. The marketing profile of deep-discount chains suggests that poorer segments of the population may be more at risk of purchasing inadequate antiseptic gels. Moreover, 40% ethanol products may be stockpiled in homes and offices. An extensive Internet survey identified no additional substandard commercial products. However, the alcohol content of less-common brands was not always available online, and several Internet sites provide recipes for a bubble gum–scented children's hand sanitizer that contains 33% isopropanol as the sole active ingredient. Educational efforts should emphasize that effective sanitizers must be of a sufficient alcohol concentration.

The efficacy experiments reported here reinforce what has been known for >50 years: 40% ethanol is a less effective bacterial antiseptic than 60% ethanol (6). Consumers should be alerted to check the alcohol concentration in hand sanitizers because substandard products may be marketed to the public.

Acknowledgments
We thank Brandi Earp and Dathia Reynolds for assistance with retail store surveys.

This material is the result of work supported with resources and facilities at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee.

References
Sandora TJ, Taveras EM, Shih M-C, Resnick EA, Lee GM, Ross-Degnan D, et al. Hand sanitizer reduces illness transmission in the home [abstract 106]. In: Abstracts of the 42nd annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America; Boston, Massachusetts; 2004 Sept 30–Oct 3. Alexandria (VA): Infectious Disease Society of America; 2004.
Hammond B, Ali Y, Fendler E, Dolan M, Donovan S. Effect of hand sanitizer use on elementary school absenteeism. Am J Infect Control. 2000;28:340–6.
White C, Kolble R, Carlson R, Lipson N, Dolan M, Ali Y, et al. The effect of hand hygiene on illness rate among students in university residence halls. Am J Infect Control. 2003;31:364–70.
Boyce JM, Pittet D, Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2002;51(RR-16):1–45.
Food and Drug Administration. Topical antimicrobial products for over-the-counter use; tentative final monograph for healthcare antiseptic drug products. Federal Register. 1994;59:31221–2.
Price PB. Ethyl alcohol as a germicide. Arch Surg. 1939;38:528–42.


Table. CFU per plate before and after treatment with various concentrations of ethanol


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Treatment
Mean pretreatment CFU (range)
Mean posttreatment CFU (range)
No. trials
|t|*
p*
Mean change (%)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tap water
175 (117–234)
206 (100–321)
4
1.25
0.30
+10

40% ethanol
531 (132–1,413)
621 (75–1,733)
5
0.30
0.39
+3

40% gel
246 (51–602)
232 (56–693)
9
0.61
0.56
+53

62% gel
171 (33–563)
12 (1–24)
9
5.73
<0.001
–82

40%→62% gel
473 (114–1,257)
26 (10–48)
5
6.21
0.003
–90


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*|t| = result of paired t test; p = probability of |t|.

[RustyNuts]

That comes back to proper technique...and realistic expectations.

True. I use a pretty good squirt each time and get in between fingers, etc. The whole conversation with my pet store guy came about because after he showed a ball python to a young couple he just did a cursory tap on the hand sanitizer and then wiped it off quickly. I asked him if he really thought that did much good.

[deborahbroadus]

Excellent, Dan! I will go over the research in detail. Thanks! This research may aid consumers in knowing which brand is actually more effective?

[deborahbroadus]

Excellent, Dan! I will go over the research in detail. Thanks! This research may aid consumers in knowing which brand is actually more effective?

I haven't given up, but I am stalled. I haven't found a way to compare researches. On the one hand, the research I offered was done here in America.

The opposing rebuttal was a Finnish/British research done outside of the US.:shrug01:

I don't know if it makes a difference, BUT..I do know that different countries have different controls that may impact the outcome of the results? Probably not explaining it very well...:shrug01:

[deborahbroadus]

I haven't given up, but I am stalled. I haven't found a way to compare researches. On the one hand, the research I offered was done here in America.

The opposing rebuttal was a Finnish/British research done outside of the US.:shrug01:

I don't know if it makes a difference, BUT..I do know that different countries have different controls that may impact the outcome of the results? Probably not explaining it very well...:shrug01:

For example..Our Food and Drug Admin states "Tenative" on the British research footnote.

Food and Drug Administration. Topical antimicrobial products for over-the-counter use; tentative final monograph for healthcare antiseptic drug products. Federal Register. 1994;59:31221–2.
Price PB. Ethyl alcohol as a germicide. Arch Surg. 1939;38:528–42.

[The BoidSmith]

:rofl:

Here’s a report from the Harvard School of Medicine, let’s hope this one meets your zest for knowledge.


Committee Assignments Wash your hands
Human skin — even in the most healthy of us — is teeming with bacteria. Most of those bacteria only cause disease under special circumstances. But everyone also carries potentially dangerous germs from time to time, such as staph, strep, and the intestinal bacteria that cause food poisoning and diarrhea. Sad to say, health care personnel — including your doctors and nurses — are particularly likely to carry the most troublesome bacteria, especially on their hands. And although viruses don’t set up shop on the skin the way bacteria do, the viruses that cause diarrhea and respiratory infections — from the sniffles to the flu — can hang around on the hands long enough to spread from person to person.
If your skin is covered with so many bacteria, why don’t they make you sick more often? Although the skin is a hospitable resting place for bacteria, it is also a tough barrier that prevents hostile bugs from reaching the body’s vulnerable internal tissues. Ironically, perhaps, some of the traditional methods of removing bacteria from the skin can disrupt the skin’s own defenses. Scrubbing can produce tiny abrasions that allow bacteria to sneak into your tissues. Detergents and even plain water can remove the skin’s oils, which have important antibacterial properties.
Good handwashing, then, involves two potentially conflicting goals, removing microbes while still keeping your skin healthy.
Preached but not practiced
Handwashing is good advice — but do Americans follow it?
Often, we don’t. When investigators surveyed public restrooms around the country, they found that only 83% of people washed up after using the toilet. Do posted reminders to “Please Wash Your Hands” help? When researchers tested this simple strategy, they found that handwashing improved in women but not in men.
The gender gap applies to hospitals, too. In one study, female physicians washed their hands after 88% of patient contacts, but male doctors washed after just 54%.
Does it work?
Yes. Just 30 seconds of simple handwashing with soap and water reduces the bacterial count on health care workers’ hands by 58%. And there is an even better way: Alcohol-based handrubs reduce counts by 83%.
What’s best?
Soap and water is the time-honored technique, and it does work. In fact, it’s still the best way to remove visible soilage and particulate material. But as the public has become concerned about the risk of infection, soaps with antibacterial additives have gradually taken over 45% of the market. It’s understandable, but it’s not helpful; antibacterial soap is no better than ordinary soap, and the additives actually increase the risk of allergic reactions and other side effects.
Plain soap will do the job — and so will plain water. Tap water is excellent, and cool or lukewarm temperatures serve as well as hot water. If soap and water are not available, antibacterial wipes can help. Although they are not as effective, they will reduce bacterial counts. Washing with soap and water is the best way to remove dirt, but waterless, alcohol-based handrubs are even better at killing germs. Handrubbing is faster and more convenient than handwashing, and it’s also easier on the skin. Hospitals are switching to handrubs because they kill more bacteria and viruses and they are used more regularly.
When and how
How should you wash? Wet your hands with water, then apply the soap to your palms. Rub your hands together briskly for at least 15 seconds before rinsing.
Wash your hands before each trip to the dining room and after each trip to the bathroom. Wash after handling diapers and animals. Wash before and after you handle food. Wash after you take out the trash, work in the yard, clean the house, repair the car, or do other messy chores. Wash before and after sex. Wash after you come in contact with anyone who is sick. If you follow reasonable guidelines you’ll be washing often, but you won’t become obsessive or compulsive. Be careful, not fearful.
August 2006 Update

[deborahbroadus]

Yeah, I can be like that.:thumbsup:

I have an abhorbence for swallowing anything told to me without making that knowledge MY own..meaning I have to know it. I have to know where it came from.

I am too old to be saying.."So-and-so told me" when asked for a resource of my knowledge. :thumbsup:

:rofl:

Here’s a report from the Harvard School of Medicine, let’s hope this one meets your zest for knowledge.


Committee Assignments Wash your hands
Human skin — even in the most healthy of us — is teeming with bacteria. Most of those bacteria only cause disease under special circumstances. But everyone also carries potentially dangerous germs from time to time, such as staph, strep, and the intestinal bacteria that cause food poisoning and diarrhea. Sad to say, health care personnel — including your doctors and nurses — are particularly likely to carry the most troublesome bacteria, especially on their hands. And although viruses don’t set up shop on the skin the way bacteria do, the viruses that cause diarrhea and respiratory infections — from the sniffles to the flu — can hang around on the hands long enough to spread from person to person.
If your skin is covered with so many bacteria, why don’t they make you sick more often? Although the skin is a hospitable resting place for bacteria, it is also a tough barrier that prevents hostile bugs from reaching the body’s vulnerable internal tissues. Ironically, perhaps, some of the traditional methods of removing bacteria from the skin can disrupt the skin’s own defenses. Scrubbing can produce tiny abrasions that allow bacteria to sneak into your tissues. Detergents and even plain water can remove the skin’s oils, which have important antibacterial properties.
Good handwashing, then, involves two potentially conflicting goals, removing microbes while still keeping your skin healthy.
Preached but not practiced
Handwashing is good advice — but do Americans follow it?
Often, we don’t. When investigators surveyed public restrooms around the country, they found that only 83% of people washed up after using the toilet. Do posted reminders to “Please Wash Your Hands” help? When researchers tested this simple strategy, they found that handwashing improved in women but not in men.
The gender gap applies to hospitals, too. In one study, female physicians washed their hands after 88% of patient contacts, but male doctors washed after just 54%.
Does it work?
Yes. Just 30 seconds of simple handwashing with soap and water reduces the bacterial count on health care workers’ hands by 58%. And there is an even better way: Alcohol-based handrubs reduce counts by 83%.
What’s best?
Soap and water is the time-honored technique, and it does work. In fact, it’s still the best way to remove visible soilage and particulate material. But as the public has become concerned about the risk of infection, soaps with antibacterial additives have gradually taken over 45% of the market. It’s understandable, but it’s not helpful; antibacterial soap is no better than ordinary soap, and the additives actually increase the risk of allergic reactions and other side effects.
Plain soap will do the job — and so will plain water. Tap water is excellent, and cool or lukewarm temperatures serve as well as hot water. If soap and water are not available, antibacterial wipes can help. Although they are not as effective, they will reduce bacterial counts. Washing with soap and water is the best way to remove dirt, but waterless, alcohol-based handrubs are even better at killing germs. Handrubbing is faster and more convenient than handwashing, and it’s also easier on the skin. Hospitals are switching to handrubs because they kill more bacteria and viruses and they are used more regularly.
When and how
How should you wash? Wet your hands with water, then apply the soap to your palms. Rub your hands together briskly for at least 15 seconds before rinsing.
Wash your hands before each trip to the dining room and after each trip to the bathroom. Wash after handling diapers and animals. Wash before and after you handle food. Wash after you take out the trash, work in the yard, clean the house, repair the car, or do other messy chores. Wash before and after sex. Wash after you come in contact with anyone who is sick. If you follow reasonable guidelines you’ll be washing often, but you won’t become obsessive or compulsive. Be careful, not fearful.
August 2006 Update

[The BoidSmith]

This one is nice, from the "Mayo Clinic" and it's for doctors and nurses:

http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/79/1/109.full.pdf

[hhmoore]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy732

[hhmoore]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/21/health/21cons.html

[hhmoore]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC534108/

(Check the references list at the bottom of this one for a bunch of useful sources on this topic)

[hhmoore]

This one basically summarizes things Dan and I have already stated:
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2003/06/choosing-an-alcohol-hand-sanitizer.aspx#

[hhmoore]

Grab a drink and a snack before settling in for this one....or, better yet, save it for the office, lol.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/PIIS0196655307005950/fulltext

[deborahbroadus]

LOL..y'all funny! and THANKS!

[Focal]

Wait, doesn't soap strip the oil off your hands too? :dgrin:

When I was a mechanic, soap was a life saver for removing spilled oil and for cleaning hands. We never used that frilly sissy hand sanitizer stuff :D

But that's a great article Deb, I read it a while back and it has helped wean my dependancy off of hand sanitizer. I wash with soap before handling, and then use HS in between handling and then touching my pen or logbook, or messing with the scale. Followed by a thorough wash afterwards. Something about hand sanitizer just doesn't feel right compared to soap, like I'm pushing around sanitized debri or :ack2:

[deborahbroadus]

Wait, doesn't soap strip the oil off your hands too? :dgrin:

When I was a mechanic, soap was a life saver for removing spilled oil and for cleaning hands. We never used that frilly sissy hand sanitizer stuff :D

But that's a great article Deb, I read it a while back and it has helped wean my dependancy off of hand sanitizer. I wash with soap before handling, and then use HS in between handling and then touching my pen or logbook, or messing with the scale. Followed by a thorough wash afterwards. Something about hand sanitizer just doesn't feel right compared to soap, like I'm pushing around sanitized debri or :ack2:

:rofl: Yes, soap does strip the oil from your hands, the difference is, it's not claiming to be sanitizing.:ack2: It's removing everything and it's all washed away..not moved around on the hands.:rofl:

Yep...soap and water and sanitizer..that works.;)

[hhmoore]

Most people's normal handwashing isn't as good as they think it is. For removing dirt, grease, or other visible soiling, it's great...but to provide protection against the transfer of microbes is a different story. The frequency of washes would inherently cut down on one's consistency.
If you've ever had your hands swabbed & cultured, and/or participated in studies (or demonstrations) of hand cleaning agents, this is old news.

I'm not out to convince anybody on one practice or the other....hand sanitizers are not the simple cure-all, kill-all that some people consider them; nor are they the best option for every situation. With realistic expectations and proper use, though, they are effective at what they are supposed to do.

Since the original premise seemed to center around their use at shows - short of keeping your hands in your pockets the whole time, hand sanitizers are probably the best option for reducing the transmission of microbes. Otherwise, you'd have to be running to the bathroom to wash every time you shook hands with a vendor or showgoer, every time you rested your hand on a table, every time you touched ANYTHING (hook, book, substrate package, cage furniture - anything that might have been touched by somebody that handled an animal). You would probably save money on purchases though...if you didn't get sick of the process and just go home, somebody would snatch up the perfect thing while you were in the bathroom. Whether a hand sanitizer would be of benefit to reduce mite transmission would depend on the amount of contact one had with the host animal (or the table). If they get on your clothes, a sanitizer isn't going to help. What would be of far more benefit would be if, instead of getting freaked out and talking crap about the vendor with one's friends, people would report mites to the show promoter or employees. Most shows now have some clause about the health of the animals; and, if vendors got shut down for having mites, it would send a pretty strong message and reduce the risk to all.