Is It Safe to Lick Your Hands After Using Hand Sanitizer?

Understanding Hand Sanitizers and Their Effects

Most hand sanitizers are gelled alcohol formulations. Once applied, the alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving any gelling ingredients or moisturizers behind. These ingredients might have a bitter taste, but otherwise, there is no other significant effect after use. However, the effectiveness of hand sanitizers in killing germs is temporary, lasting only for a few minutes. This raises the question of whether it is safe to lick your hands after using a hand sanitizer a few hours later.

The Risks of Germs After Hand Sanitizing

Even if you do not intentionally lick your hands, the risk of picking up germs remains. When we eat with our fingers, the germs from our hands are transferred to our mouth, ultimately causing the germs to be ingested. This process can be just as significant as licking your hands directly.

Alcohol's Role in Hand Hygiene

Alcohol is an effective antiseptic and is capable of killing many types of germs very efficiently. However, its effectiveness diminishes as the alcohol evaporates. For minor procedures such as removing a skin tag, 5 minutes is sufficient. In contrast, for a thorough hand sanitization before a medical examination, the duration of 5 minutes is recommended to ensure the elimination of any new germs picked up.

Specific Scenarios and Recommendations

- **Minor Surgical Procedures:** Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are adequate for minor procedures, but they are not sufficient for preventing the transmission of certain types of diarrhea-causing germs like C. Difficile and Norovirus. For these, washing with soap and water is necessary. If you have been in contact with someone suffering from diarrhea or have visibly dirty hands, using soap and water is highly recommended. - **Nurse Meissner’s Perspective:** According to Nurse Meissner's comment, you have no idea what new germs you might have acquired since using the hand sanitizer. It's crucial to recognize that hand sanitizers provide temporary protection and that regular hand washing with soap and water is necessary to maintain proper hygiene.

Unintentionally Licking Hands After Sanitizing

Unintentionally licking your hands is common. If you do so several hours after using a hand sanitizer, there is no immediate danger. The amount of alcohol remaining on your hands after two hours is negligible and would not be toxic. Hand sanitizers are not intended as a substitute for regular hand washing, especially in situations where soap and water are available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while licking hands after using a hand sanitizer is not harmful, it does not replace the importance of regular hand washing. For optimal hygiene, especially in scenarios where soap and water are available, it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly. This practice, combined with the occasional use of hand sanitizers, ensures a reduced risk of contracting illnesses from germs.

Keywords: hand sanitizer, hand hygiene, germs, alcohol-based sanitizers, C. Difficile