
Hand sanitizers are a convenient way to keep our hands germ-free when we're on the go. But what about pregnant people? Is it safe for them to use hand sanitizers, especially those that contain alcohol? The short answer is that there is some uncertainty regarding the safety of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during pregnancy. While the standard use of hand sanitizers is unlikely to pose significant concerns, some organizations, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG), advise that women should avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive. This is because studies have shown that a small amount of alcohol can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream when using hand sanitizers, and the effects of repeated exposure are unclear. To be cautious, pregnant individuals may prefer to opt for hand washing with soap and water as a primary means of hand hygiene and reserve the use of hand sanitizers for when soap and water are not accessible.
What You'll Learn
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be harmful
Hand sanitizers often contain triclosan, a chemical used for antibacterial purposes that can also be found in antibacterial soaps, fluoride toothpaste, and some cosmetic products. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Research, "Triclosan may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones that are important for fetal growth and development." It is associated with lower birth weight and reduced gestational age. Research from the University of Florida also found that triclosan interferes with estrogen metabolism, which could affect how estrogen is moved through the placenta and impact brain development, gene regulation, and fetal oxygen levels.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned nearly two dozen ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, from soaps and body washes. However, companies have responded by replacing these ingredients with other antibacterial chemicals, such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and PCMX. While the standard use of hand sanitizers containing these ingredients is unlikely to pose significant risks, it is still recommended to minimize exposure to these chemicals when possible.
The best way to avoid any potential harm is to wash hands with soap and water, which is more effective at removing germs and is safer for both the mother and the baby. Handwashing with soap and water is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG). If soap and water are not available, it is advisable to use an all-natural hand sanitizer or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. However, it is important to note that hand sanitizer is not as effective as handwashing and should only be used when soap and water are inaccessible.
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Hand sanitizers may contain triclosan, which can affect fetal growth
Hand sanitizers may contain triclosan, a chemical with antibacterial properties that is also found in antibacterial soaps, fluoride toothpaste, and some cosmetic products. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Research, triclosan may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones that are important for fetal growth and development. In particular, it has been associated with lower birth weight and reduced gestational age.
Research from the University of Florida also found that triclosan interferes with estrogen metabolism, which could affect how estrogen is moved through the placenta. It may also impact brain development, gene regulation, and fetal oxygen levels.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously noted that triclosan was found in the urine of 75% of Americans, indicating high exposure. If pregnant people want to avoid it, they can choose a hand sanitizer made without it. Triclosan should be listed on the ingredient label of any product containing it.
In 2016, the FDA banned the sale of consumer antiseptic wash products containing triclosan, including about 40% of all soaps sold. The FDA stated that these products may not be safe and are no more effective than regular soap and water. The FDA's rule does not affect hand sanitizers, which are recommended for use when soap and water are not available.
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Hand sanitizers are not as effective as handwashing
While hand sanitizers are a convenient way to keep your hands clean, they are not as effective as handwashing. Here's why:
Firstly, handwashing with soap and water is the best way to remove dirt, bacteria, and chemicals from your hands. Soap loosens and helps wash away dirt and bacteria, while the friction of rubbing your hands together and rinsing with running water further removes debris. Hand sanitizers, on the other hand, can quickly reduce the number of microbes on your skin, but they don't eliminate all germs, leaving some behind. This means that handwashing provides a more thorough clean and is better at preventing the spread of illness.
Secondly, the effectiveness of hand sanitizers depends on the correct usage and the right formulation. To use hand sanitizer effectively, you need to rub it all over your hands, including between your fingers, the fronts and backs of your hands, your wrists, and under your nails, until your hands are completely dry. Using too little sanitizer or not rubbing it in for long enough can leave your hands inadequately sanitized. Additionally, the CDC recommends using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content. Choosing a sanitizer with a lower alcohol percentage may actually encourage bacterial growth.
Thirdly, hand sanitizers may not be effective against all types of pathogens. For example, most hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus, which is a leading cause of foodborne illness. In food service settings, handwashing with soap and water is crucial to ensuring the safety of both employees and customers. Hand sanitizers can be used as an additional measure after proper handwashing has been performed.
Finally, hand sanitizers have environmental consequences. A recent study compared the environmental impact of handwashing with soap and water to using hand sanitizers containing ethanol or isopropanol. The study found that while hand sanitizers had a lower impact in some areas, such as climate change, handwashing with liquid soap had the lowest impact in 6 out of 16 categories, including freshwater and terrestrial eutrophication. The active ingredient in hand sanitizers, whether ethanol or isopropanol, was the greatest contributing factor to their environmental impact. Therefore, from a sustainability perspective, handwashing may be preferable.
In conclusion, while hand sanitizers are convenient and can be effective at killing bacteria and some viruses, they are not as comprehensive as handwashing in removing dirt, microbes, and chemicals from your hands. Handwashing with soap and water is the best way to ensure thorough cleanliness and prevent the spread of illness. Additionally, hand sanitizers may not be effective against all pathogens and can have a significant environmental impact. Therefore, it is important to prioritize handwashing over hand sanitizers whenever possible.
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Hand sanitizers with <60% alcohol may encourage bacterial growth
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a convenient way to keep your hands clean when you're on the go and don't have access to soap and water. However, it's important to note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content. Using hand sanitizers with less than 60% alcohol may not be as effective at killing germs and can even encourage bacterial growth.
The reason for this is that alcohol has antimicrobial properties, and its effectiveness depends on its concentration. At the right concentration, alcohol can destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi by breaking down their proteins through a process called denaturation. When proteins in the germs' structure break down, the cells lose their membrane protection, dehydrate, and die.
However, when the alcohol concentration falls below 60%, it may not be strong enough to completely kill all the bacteria on your hands. Instead, it might create an environment that allows bacteria to grow. This is because lower concentrations of alcohol can alter the bacterial cell wall, affecting the cell's integrity and ability to recover. In some cases, lower concentrations of alcohol can even increase the expression of certain genes in bacteria, such as the arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway, which is involved in biofilm formation.
For pregnant women, the use of hand sanitizers with less than 60% alcohol could pose additional risks. While there is limited research on the topic, some studies suggest that even a small amount of alcohol can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream when using hand sanitizers. This could potentially impact the health and development of the fetus, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) that "women should avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive."
Therefore, it is essential to use hand sanitizers with the recommended amount of at least 60% alcohol to ensure effective germ-killing and avoid potential health risks, especially during pregnancy. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is still the best way to keep your hands clean and prevent the spread of germs.
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Hand sanitizers may contain methanol or wood alcohol, which can be toxic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers and health professionals about hand sanitizers that contain methanol, also known as wood alcohol. Methanol is dangerous and toxic, and can cause serious side effects when absorbed through the skin. It can also be life-threatening when ingested.
Methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or even death. Young children who accidentally swallow these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol substitute are most at risk.
The FDA has seen an increase in hand sanitizer products that are labelled as containing ethanol but have tested positive for methanol contamination. The agency has recalled numerous hand sanitizers sold in the U.S. that contain wood alcohol or methanol, both of which can be toxic in high doses.
The FDA recommends that consumers immediately stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of the bottles in a hazardous waste container. Do not pour these products down the drain or flush them.
The safety of hand sanitizer during pregnancy is uncertain. While hand sanitizer is dangerous when ingested by children, for pregnant people, some ingredients may be unsafe—although this hasn't been proven definitively. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that "women should avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive."
Few studies have been done to measure blood alcohol concentrations after the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, studies have shown that a small level of alcohol is absorbed and can be found in the user's bloodstream. The amount of alcohol absorbed would increase with multiple uses of the hand sanitizer.
ACOG states that "adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on child behavior at age 6 to 7 years are evident even at low levels of exposure." Therefore, it is recommended that handwashing with soap and water is the preferable way to clean your hands and fight germs during pregnancy. Reserve hand sanitizer use for when water and soap are not accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
The safety of hand sanitizers during pregnancy is uncertain. While standard use of hand sanitizers is unlikely to pose significant concern, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) advises that "women should avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive". Hand sanitizers often contain triclosan, a chemical that may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones that are important for fetal growth and development.
Handwashing with soap and water is the preferable way to clean your hands and fight germs during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no known safe threshold for fetal alcohol exposure. Maternal alcohol ingestion is the leading known cause of developmental and cognitive disabilities in children and a preventable cause of birth defects. Hand sanitizers may also contain chemicals like triclosan, which has been associated with lower birth weight and reduced gestational age.