We are all surrounded by hundreds of thousands of different microorganisms. Bacteria literally teem on all possible surfaces, and among them there are both useful or neutral to humans, and pathogens. Handrails in public transport, money, elevator buttons, handles of carts and baskets in a supermarket, and many other things familiar to us are a transit point for many bacteria. Once in our hands, they are easily transferred to the mucous membrane, and through it into the body, risking infecting a person with a variety of diseases, such as influenza or staphylococcus aureus. Hand washing is the easiest way to combat this, but in situations where water and soap are not available, a hand sanitizing solution is a hand sanitizing gel.
Composition of gels for individual hand disinfection
In order for the gel to kill microbes on the surface of the hands, it may contain:
- Ethyl alcohol - hesafe for humans, but in just 15 minutes it can kill almost all viruses and microbes. Those who are afraid of the effect of alcohol on the skin, scientists reassure: there is less harm from it than from frequent exposure to soap and water when washing hands.
- Triclosan is an antiseptic that is less harmless. Triclosan kills literally all microorganisms, both good and bad, and if abused, can lead to disturbances in the human hormonal and immune systems.
Also hand gel with antibacterial effect is often supplemented with components that reduce the drying effect of alcohol and triclosan, such as vitamin E, aloe extract or natural oils.
Pros and cons
Antibacterial hand gel is a very convenient format for cleaning the skin from dirt and germs. Gels do not need to be washed off or washed with a napkin, they are instantly absorbed, and you can be sure that your hands are clean. That is why it is good to have a tiny vial with you when traveling, for example, on an airplane or when visiting a hospital. Also, dispensers with such a gel are often equipped with small catering points where it is not possible to place a washbasin.
In all other cases, when it is possible to wash your hands with soap and water 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 between good and bad bacteria, they kill them all indiscriminately. And this can lead to violations of the microflora on the surface of the hands, and then to violations of the functions of the body. In addition, frequent use of triclosan will lead tothe fact that sooner or later the body will lose sensitivity to antibiotics - its microflora will simply rebuild and mutate, which means that if serious viruses enter the body, it will be difficult to cure it.
Antibacterial components are also harmful for children, especially small ones. An absolutely clean child is an attractive target for allergens and a variety of diseases. Therefore, in the case of children, such gels can be used, but as rarely as possible.
How to choose
Buy antibacterial hand gel only in pharmacies or take those whose brand you know well. Only in this way can you be sure that the product is safe and that the content of the sanitizing component is in a concentration that is harmless to humans.
Give preference to products without fragrances and fragrances, they are hypoallergenic. The presence of skin softening components is also good, they neutralize the negative effects of ethyl alcohol.
Most Popular Brands
Among the most popular and high-quality commercially available sanitizers, Dettol antibacterial hand gel is the leader. The gels are available in 50 ml bottles, 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 Sanitelle gel with oils or silver ions in the composition. The safety of these gels has been confirmedRussian research institutes and independent laboratories. The price of this brand is a little over 100 rubles.
Another popular brand is Cleanberry, in its line of gels based on ethyl alcohol with a variety of odors. As part of the gels, in addition to alcohol, there are shea butter balls and panthenol, which help soften and heal the skin. However, despite the advantages, many note that this antibacterial hand gel has too intrusive and unpleasant odors of fragrances. Reviews recommend paying attention to the classic odorless gel. The price of products in the line is 172 rubles.
Baby gels
To protect children's hands from lurking viruses and bacteria, safe and reliable gels are produced, for example, “Fixie Gel” from the Sanitelle brand. The bottles are decorated with cartoon characters, and the antibacterial hand gel itself smells delicious of cherries, chewing gum and other smells. Price - 109 R.
Gels by Michel Laboratory Dr. Hand are designed specifically for children and can be used without fear for he alth and safety. The smells of ripe apple, fun banana or berry fantasy will surely appeal to the little ones, and they will be happy to use antibacterial hand gel. The price of a 50 ml bottle is only 65 rubles. If you still want to kill microbes, you can use alternative methods. Frequent washing of hands not with antibacterial, but with ordinary soap may well compete with antibacterial gels. Also goodantiseptic - natural essential oils. They are also capable of killing pathogenic bacteria, but they are not harmful to he alth, and, importantly, bacteria cannot adapt to the active substances of oils, which means that this remedy will never let you down. In cases of increased danger, for example, if you have to visit a clinic in the midst of a flu epidemic, you can also use antibacterial hand wipes. They work in the same way as gels, but they can also remove dirt mechanically.
Alternatives and analogues
