I think I'm addicted to hand sanitizer

[Anonymous]

I spritz this stuff on my hands about 25 times a day. I love the smell of it as well as the germ killing properties. Anyone else?

[Anonymous]

It stays on your hands, remember. More hygienic to wash your hands and dry them on a clean towel.

[Anonymous]

So gross. It smells like vodka. Also irritates and dries out my skin. I never ever ever use this stuff--I prefer germs.

[Anonymous]

OP, what kind do you use? Mine smells terrible.

[Anonymous]

I hate the stuff. Drying and gross.

[Anonymous]

I'm an addict, too. Especially now since we have a newborn.

[Anonymous]

I was, too, until I developed some sort of allergy to it. Now I can't even get close to the stuff without developing small blisters on my fingers that end up cracking, bleeding, drying out my skin, itching, ugh. It's so gross.

[Anonymous]

hate the stuff and don't particularly trust it

soap and water - the best

[Anonymous]

Agreed, I don't see the allure. I never buy or use the stuff, and can't even remember the last time I was sick.

[Anonymous]

I think it is very useful on occasions when it won't hurt to use, like say you're the passenger on a road trip and want to have a snack. (Of course, best is to wash with soap and water, but say it's a long drive, would like a chip or so, hands aren't filthy, etc, but feels better to wipe 'em, if you will touch something directly. If not, can always grab the snack using a napkin or tissue.) Or, one can use those hand wipes (little square towelettes) and they're again ultra useful.

[Anonymous]

I only use it when necessary-- when visitng a friend with a new baby, for example. It dumbs down your immune system. Plus, overuse will just strengthen the bugs, and we'll all be in trouble. Try to wean yourself off. It is NOT an everyday product.

[Anonymous]

17:36 here: I agree with the last post, that it's not an everyday product (which is why I mentioned occasional use). But to offer some clarity, hand sanitizers -- specifically, alcohol-based ones (e.g., Purell) -- do not contain antibiotics, so antibacterial resistance is not an issue here (they serve as an antiseptic, not an antibiotic). It's the alcohol in the product that works to reduce the level of germs on the surface of hands.

The CDC and other bodies recognize the value of such products, e.g.:

"Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used."

[Anonymous]

... Actually (17:36 again), I'm not against everyday use, but don't make a point to specifically use it say in lieu of soap/water hand washing. I always have some hand sanitizer with me, for those times like I mentioned when it might come in handy.

[Anonymous]

Kudos to those who use sanitizer instead of nothing - EW!

[Anonymous]

Wow 25 times, that's nothing. As a nurse I use it over a hundred times a day. It's part of my job. And to the person that said that it's more hygienic to wash, you are completely wrong. It's been proven and I've actually seen it myself in microbiology classes that hand washing is great but it doesn't even come close to alcohol based hand sanitizer in regards to germ killing power.