Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a great alternative to when we don’t have access to wash our hands and they have been one of the easiest and effective products to use in order for us to practice good hygiene especially when we’re out and about. While there are many misconceptions about them, here are some of the truths revealed:
There is a multitude of hand sanitizer formulation out there. Along with the various benefits that each manufacturer promises, misconceptions arise.
Here are some common myths:
MYTH #1: ALCOHOL-BASED SANTIZERS AND/OR SPRAYS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR MUSLIMS
TRUTH: ‘Permissible and forgivable’: Malaysia clarifies that alcohol-based hand sanitisers can be used by Muslims
24-Mar-2020 By Amanda Lim
MYTH #2: ALCOHOL-BASED SANITIZERS ARE FLAMMABLE THEREFORE DANGEROUS
TRUTH: All alcohol-based products contain a certain degree of flammability and should be kept away from naked flame, high heat or any sources of ignition and incandescent material. However, as our products contain 75% Alcohol Denat, it evaporates in a matter of seconds when applied.
It is advisable to rub in the product until you feel completely dry.
MYTH #3: SOME BELIEVE THAT DRINKING OR INGESTING ALCOHOL-BASED PRODUCTS HELP FIGHT THE VIRUS
TRUTH: Under no circumstances are alcohol-based personal or medical care products ingestible. eastlands products contain Alcohol Denat which not only provides optimum protection, it serves to make the product very unappealing to ingest.
Alcohol Denat is Denatured Alcohol which tastes bad to deter children from unintentional intake.
Seek medical advice immediately if exposed or swallowed.
MYTH #4: HOME-MADE / SELF-MIXED SANITIZERS ARE AS GOOD AS STORE BOUGHT FORUMATION
TRUTH: While some may want to explore the options of experimenting and producing their own at home, it may only lead to negative effects on your skin. DIY products can be unsafe where incorrect mixtures may cause burns and irritations, may be harsh and not gentle on the skin.
Although it is important to always have a hand sanitizer within reach, it is best to leave the formulation of safe hand sanitizers to the experts who have weighed out the benefits and interaction of each ingredient.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/coronavirus-hand-sanitizer-recipes-risks#Recipes-available
MYTH #5: WASHING MY HANDS WITH WARM WATER IS GOOD ENOUGH
TRUTH: Experts recommend that we need to wash our hands with hand soap for at least 20 seconds to kill off germs. Using warm water will help to disperse the soap better but does not effectively contribute to killing germs. For water to be hot enough to kill off germs, it will have to be at boiling point. Temperature of the water is not a factor in killing germs.