Antibacterial hand gel: benefit or harm to health

We are all surrounded by hundreds of thousands of different microorganisms. Bacteria literally swarm on all possible surfaces, and among them there are both beneficial or neutral to man, and pathogenic. Handrails in public transport, money, elevator buttons, shopping carts and bins in the supermarket and many other things we are familiar with are a staging post for many bacteria. Once in our hands, they are easily transferred to the mucous membrane, and through it and into the body, at the risk of infecting a person with a variety of diseases, such as influenza or staphylococcus. It's easier to do this with washing hands, but in conditions where water and soap are not available, a convenient solution for sanitation is a special antibacterial hand gel.

The composition of gels for individual hand disinfection

In order for the gel to kill germs on the surface of the hands, its composition can be:

• Ethyl alcohol - it is safe for humans, but in just 15 minutes it can kill almost all viruses and microbes. Those who are afraid of the influence of alcohol on the skin, the scientists calmed: harm from it less than from the frequent effects of soap and water when washing hands.
• Triclosan is an antiseptic, which is less harmless. Triclosan kills literally all microorganisms, both good and bad, and when abused can lead to disturbances in the human hormone and immune system.

Also in the gel for hands with antibacterial effect are often added components that reduce the drying effect of alcohol and triclosan, such as vitamin E, aloe extract or natural oils.

Advantages and disadvantages

Antibacterial hand gel is a very convenient format for cleaning the skin from contaminants and microbes. Gels do not need to be washed off or washed with a napkin, they are immediately absorbed, and you can be calm for the purity of your hands. That's why a tiny bubble is good to carry with you on travel, for example on an airplane or when you visit a hospital. Also, small dispensers are equipped with dispensers with such gel, where there is no possibility to place the washbasin.

In all other cases, when it is possible to wash your hands with soap under running water, it is better to do just that. It's all about the harm of destroying absolutely all microbes. Antiseptics do not distinguish - bad bacteria or good, they kill them all indiscriminately. And this can lead to violations of microflora on the surface of the hands, and then to violations of the body. In addition, frequent use of triclosan leads to the fact that sooner or later the body will lose sensitivity to antibiotics - its microflora will simply be reconstructed and mutated, which means that if serious viruses enter the body it will be difficult to cure.

Antibacterial components are harmful for children, especially small children. Absolutely pure child - an attractive target for allergens and a variety of diseases. Therefore, in the case of children, you can use such gels, but as rarely as possible.

How to choose

Buy antibacterial hand gel only in pharmacies or take those whose brand is well known to you. Only in this way can you be sure of the safety of the product and that the content of the sanifying component in a concentration that is harmless to humans.

Give preference to products without fragrances and flavors, they are hypoallergenic. It is also good to have skin softening components, they neutralize the negative effects of ethyl alcohol.

Most popular brands

Among the most popular and quality sanitizers available for sale, the leader is the hand gel antibacterial Dettol. Gels are available in bottles of 50 ml, you can choose one of four options - moisturizing, softening, refreshing or without additives. The price of the gel is 250 rubles.

Another popular product is the Sanitelle gel with oils or silver ions in the composition. The safety of these gels is confirmed by Russian research institutes and independent laboratories. The price of this brand is slightly more than 100 rubles.

Another popular brand is Cleanberry, in its line of gels based on ethyl alcohol with a variety of odors. In the composition of gels, in addition to alcohol, there are balls of karite oil, and panthenol, which help to soften and heal the skin. However, despite the dignity, many note that too intrusive and unpleasant smells of fragrances has this antibacterial hand gel. Reviews recommend paying attention to the classic odorless gel. The price of products in the lineup is 172 rubles.

Baby Gels

To protect children's hands from trapping viruses and bacteria, safe and reliable gels are produced, for example, "Fixi gel" from the brand Sanitelle. The bottles are decorated with cartoon characters, and the antibacterial hand gel deliciously smells of cherry, chewing gum and other smells. The price is 109 rubles.

Gels from the brand Michel Laboratory Dr. Hand designed specifically for children, and you can use them without fear of health and safety. The smells of a ripe apple, cheerful banana or berry fantasy will surely appeal to kids, and they will gladly use antibacterial hand gel. The price of a 50-ml bottle is only 65 rubles.

Alternatives and analogues

If you still want to kill the germs, you can use alternative methods. Frequent washing of hands not with antibacterial, and with usual soap quite can make a competition to antibacterial gels.

Also a good antiseptic is natural essential oils. They, too, are capable of killing pathogenic bacteria, but they do not harm health, and, importantly, bacteria can not adapt to the active substances of oils, and this means will never fail.

In cases of increased danger, for example, if you have to visit a polyclinic in the midst of an epidemic of flu, you can also use antibacterial hand napkins. They work just like gels, but they can also remove the contamination mechanically.