Hand sanitizers
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Hand sanitizers
Hand sanitizers are alcohol-based gels used to disinfect hands. They can be used instead of soap and water when you cannot wash your hands, and no rinsing is needed.
Hand sanitizers do not remove surface dirt from the hands. But they do kill germs (bacteria) that could spread disease. The product should have 60% to 95% alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) in it to work best. A dime-sized amount of sanitizer should be poured on the hands and rubbed over all surfaces until dry.
Hand sanitizers are quick and easy to use and cause less skin irritation than soap and water. They help prevent germs from spreading in places such as households, schools, hospitals, child care centers, and animal shelters.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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