A few weeks ago, I provided you with the truth about some of the common misconceptions surrounding alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and this week, I wanted to debunk a few more hand sanitizer myths.
Today, let's focus on those myths that pertain to alcohol-based hand sanitizers and different types of germs.
Truth: Hand Sanitizers DO NOT Cause Antibiotic Resistance
A common myth about alcohol-based hand sanitizers is they can cause antibiotic resistance. The truth is that oral antibiotics operate completely different than topical alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The alcohol quickly kills a broad spectrum of germs, and it is not left behind on your skin to let the germs become resistant.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary cause of antibiotic resistance is the repeated and improper use of antibiotics.
Truth: Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers DO NOT Cause Super Germs
One of the myths currently out there about alcohol-based hand sanitizers is they can create “super germs.” The truth is that ethyl alcohol, the active ingredient in PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer and other alcohol-based hand sanitizers, rapidly destroys the cell membranes and denatures the proteins. It’s not left behind to let the germs become resistant or become what some people call “super germs.”
Truth: All Germs ARE NOT the Same
There are actually two different types of germs – transient organisms and resident organisms. The resident organisms live on our skin at all layers of the skin. The transient organisms are acquired as you touch something, and they can be transmitted inside your body, or to someone else directly or via other objects touched (i.e. cross-contamination), putting you and others at risk for illness.
Truth: Hand Sanitizers Kill Illness-Causing, or Transient Germs
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers reduce the transient organisms, or the illness-causing germs, on your hands. They also reduce the resident organisms, or what some people call the “good germs,” but those “good germs” quickly grow back and remain as our normal microbiota.
The truth is that good hand hygiene, which includes using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, is a strong preventive measure you can take to reduce the spread of illness-causing germs and risk of illness.
See the complete lineup of “Debunking the Myths” videos at http://purell.com/staywell/7-myths/myths.aspx
Also, be sure to share our Myth-busting Infographic.