FitSugar

Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:50:13 -0700

It's a germy world out there, and keeping those germs off your hands is considered the best way to fight catching a cold or flu this season. We recently learned that washing your hands with cold water is just as effective as hot. We also know that anti-bacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soaps. But what about hand sanitizers? Here's a quick sketch of how soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer compare.

Hand washing is recommended by the CDC over hand sanitizer, but if no sink is available hand sanitizer is considered second best. When hand washing, it is recommended that you work the soap into a full lather and wash for 20 seconds, which can seem like an awfully long time to scrub at the sink - many people don't wash for the recommended time. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills most most types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in a few seconds, with the recommended rubbing time being 15 seconds. In terms of time, hand sanitizer kills more bacteria in less time.

To see how soap trumps sanitizer, read more.

But here's the rub (pun intended): although hand sanitizers have been shown to reduce gastrointestinal illnesses when used in households and reduce student absences when used in school, they do not kill norovirus, which can cause acute gastroenteritis, or E. coli. Nor does hand sanitizer remove feces, blood, or dirt. This means old-fashioned hand washing is best in restrooms and kitchens, but after a sneeze, a quick wipe-down with hand sanitizer will work.

Look for hand sanitizer with 60 percent ethanol (aka ethyl alcohol) like Purell or Web MD-recommended EO Lavender Hand Sanitizer. Do you keep hand sanitizer in your purse?

Keep Your Hands Clean on the Go

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Labor Day is fast approaching, which means it's time to start planning your last Summer hurrahs. Everyone I know in San Francisco seems to be attending music festivals and heading off on camping trips. In my mind, there's one thing that unites these two activities, and that's the need for hand sanitizers on the go!

Whether you're camping far from any running water or using questionable public bathrooms, you can find lots of ways nowadays to keep your hands clean. I'm a big fan of soap leaves - little petals of soap that lather when you put them in water - as well as this Clean Well Hand Sanitizer Spray I recently started carrying around. From plain old Purell to fancy-smelling foams, there's no excuse to walk around with dirty hands. Here are some of my favorite finds for picnics, backpacking, big festivals, and more.

Source

Don't Drink Hand Sanitizers (Duh)

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

I am sure you all already know this...but it is such a bizarre story that I had to share. So I just read an article about a prison inmate being hospitalized for drinking hand sanitizer gel. Yes, it does contain alcohol, but not the same kind found in alcoholic beverages.

The other inmates reported that they saw the man drinking from a "gallon container of Purell hand sanitizer." When the man was questioned as to why he was drinking it, he pointed to the label which read "Active ingredient 63% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)." He explained that this percentage was higher that that in vodka.

But this kind of alcohol won't get you drunk. It only takes a small amount of isopropyl to kill someone, by depressing the heart and central nervous system.

The doctors involved with this man are suggesting that the makers of these hand gels change their labels. I'd have to agree because we don't want to walk into a store one day to see that you're getting carded for Purell.

Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Everyone around me is sick lately, and it has me washing my hands in overdrive, but if I'm not near a sink I use hand sanitizer. The problem is that those little bottles start to add up financially, and I feel bad throwing out so many plastic containers. Recently, my friend shared her recipe for homemade sanitizer with me and I've been a convert ever since.

What's cool is that the basic ingredients are things I already keep in my medicine cabinet: aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can make as little or as much as you want, but always use a ratio of six parts alcohol to four parts aloe vera gel for it to be effective. If you're a big germaphobe like I am you can also add tea tree oil - nature's antiseptic - to the mixture. I put about five drops into every half-cup of sanitizer I make. I also add lavender oil to the mix to kill the medicinal smell. From there, just add your mixture to a small bottle that you can always keep with you.

I still think that washing your hands trumps sanitizer, but this recipe is a great alternative to the store-bought stuff.

Health Headlines: Shame, Sanitizer, and Fit Immune Systems

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

After nursing two sick children last week, these headlines caught my attention, since staying well is always on my mind.

Shame "Boosts Hand Washing Rate" - BBC
"Is the person next to you washing with soap?" This is the shaming message used to scare Brits using public restrooms into washing their hands . . . with soap. This big brother-like query was more effective than, although not as cute as, in my opinion, the phrase, "Don't be a dirty soap dodger."

Does Exercise Boost Immunity? - New York Times
According to a couple of studies, the answer is a qualified yes. It is regular, moderate exercise that helps you fight off bugs. Too much vigorous exercise seems to suppress the immune systems, leaving endurance athletes at a disadvantage as marathon season wraps up and flu season begins.

Flu Worries Pump Up Sales of Hand Sanitizer - NPR
The stock market might be making a slow turnaround, but hand sanitizer sales are bumping. In the US, we spent over $117 million on the gel-based cleaners last year. Fear of the H1N1 virus and the back-to-school season made for a 50 percent increase in hand sanitizer sales in August 2009 over the same month the previous year.

Healthy To-Do: Make a Summer Safety Kit

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:30:00 -0700

I recently attended my first outdoor concert of the Summer and was dismayed, after a trip to the portapotty, to find that I had no hand sanitizer in my bag. I usually make it a point to carry antibacterial wipes or spray for all of my Summer hiking, camping, walking, and concert excursions.

Inspired by my newly updated first aid kit, I decided to assemble a Summer safety kit to toss in my backpack. In addition to a small bottle of hand sanitizer, I included a few handiwipes, a small can of bug spray, a travel tube of sunscreen, and a few Band-aids to treat any potential blisters on long walks or hikes. I'll make sure to keep it stocked throughout the season, so I'll always be prepared.

Is there anything else you think I should add?

How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

The cold temps are moving in and it's that time of year for colds and the flu. To prevent getting the sniffles, sore throat, and achiness, you've got to avoid the germs. It's not enough to watch out for germy places in your home. You've also got to beware of places that are shared by tons of people, and for FitSugar readers, that means the gym. Yours may seem neat and clean, but that doesn't mean it's germ-free. So here are some ways to avoid the invisible creepy crawlies that can make you sick.

Spray down all equipment before you use it with disinfectant spray. It may be a rule at your gym that you have to clean equipment after you use it, but who knows if the person before you remembered, or how thorough they were. Wipe down everything you touch including handles on weight machines and dumbbells, yoga balls, and buttons on the displays.
Purchase your own mat for yoga, Pilates, or strength training. They're sweat on by many, and rarely get washed.
If you're a major germaphobe, pack along other equipment like weights and resistance bands.
Bring your own towel from home to wipe off your sweat or to use after you shower. The gym towels are supposedly clean, but you never know.

For more tips on avoiding gym germs read more.

Refrain from touching your mouth, nose or eyes while working out.
Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer.
Keep a towel between you and the seat in the sauna.
Fill up a reusable water bottle at home, and bring it to the gym. Germs can pass easily from a person's mouth, to their water bottle, then to the fountain tap and back to another bottle, and to another person's mouth, if people hold their bottles against the tap when filling them. Gross.
Shower immediately after working out to get rid of germs. If you can't, be sure to wash your hands and face, place your sweaty clothes in a plastic bag, and put on a clean outfit.
Wear flip-flops in the shower to avoid picking up athlete's foot.

How to Avoid Catching the Swine Flu

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

We're pretty familiar with how to prevent catching a regular cold or the flu, but the swine flu seems like a whole new ball of wax (or phlegm, in this case). Since swine flu seems to be spreading quickly, you want to do whatever you can to keep from catching the H1N1 virus. Here are some precautions you can take.

Wash your hands often with soap and hot water (don't just rinse with water). Lather up for at least 20 seconds, or long enough to sing your ABC's.
Avoid touching common things that others come in contact with such as doorknobs, railings, handles on the subway, elevator buttons, magazines in the doctor's office, public phones, pens at the bank, etc. If you can't help it, refrain from touching your nose, mouth, or eyes until you can get to a bathroom to wash your hands.
When you're at the gym, disinfect all equipment before you use it in case the person before you forgot. Bring your own towel, use your own yoga mat, and wash your hands before leaving the gym.

To see how else you can protect yourself, read more.

Keep hand sanitizers in your purse, car, and at work so you can kill germs when you can't get to a sink.
If swine flu cases have turned up in your area, consider avoiding public places. Those infected with swine flu can be contagious before showing symptoms.
If you're really paranoid, wearing a high quality respiratory mask can offer some protection.
Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. All these things will strengthen your immune system.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women, those who work with children, and those who work in the medical field are at a higher risk for catching swine flu. So if you're in this group, think about getting vaccinated against the swine flu.
If you start feeling flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, chills, or body aches, don't go to work. Stay at home and get better. If your symptoms worsen, call your doctor. If you test positive for swine flu, they can prescribe Tamiflu.

The Germiest Places at Home

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:50:43 -0700

I know that I've been a little obsessed about germs lately, but it's flu season and I'm trying to get through this one unharmed. I'm washing my hands constantly, not touching my face - I'm even making my own hand sanitizer. The Hygiene Council just released this year's findings of its annual home hygiene study, and the results have me motivated to do some serious Fall cleaning. Here are some of the germiest places found in the home, in case you want to get your cleaners out too.

View Slideshow ›

What's the Deal With Triclosan?

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:30:50 -0700

Antibacterial products are everywhere right now, thanks to continuing swine-flu fears. But earlier research indicates that antibacterial products containing triclosan aren't any better at killing bacteria than regular soap. Now, the Canadian Medical Association is proposing a ban on antibacterial products on the grounds that they actually promote more bacteria.

The culprit? Triclosan, the active ingredient in many antibacterial products. According to a recent story in Canada's Globe and Mail, triclosan shows up in everything from hand wipes to toothpaste and unfortunately resurfaces in drinking water and breast milk. Its ubiquity is making bacteria more resistant to triclosan and other antibiotics used to treat illness.

Dr. Kapil Khatter, who proposed the Canadian ban, suggests avoiding triclosan and instead using good ol' soap and water to fend off bacteria. He also endorses sanitizing gels, such as Purell, that are alcohol-based. Do you avoid antibacterial products?