You're At Greater Coronavirus Infection Risk If You Use Too Much Hand Sanitizer

Coronavirus continues to grip many nations with panic as shortages of alcohol, hand sanitizers, and medical masks become widespread. Fear continues to haunt people living in areas where there are verified infections. This is made even worse by reports of new verified infections, such as two new patients in England being found positive for coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases in the UK to 15.

With the virus starting to encroach on UK territory, health guidelines have been issued by the government to prevent the virus from spreading further. Health bodies like the World Health Organization have also provided their own guidelines. A healthy body is also urging people to observe good hygienic practices.

Among the advice given by health agencies in many countries around the globe is observing good hygiene. This is because the virus spreads in a fashion very similar to common flu or cold. Washing of hands frequently is highly recommended, and in case water is unavailable, use alcohol or hand sanitizer instead. While using hand sanitizer in the absence of water or alcohol is good, it should be noted that using too much may also increase your risk of coronavirus infection.

Using Too Much Sanitizer Is Not Good

A spokesperson for a hand sanitizer manufacturer recently revealed that overusing the product can increase the risk of coronavirus infection. As the spokesperson elaborated, normal bacterial flora coating the skin that defends against pathogens is removed when there is you use alcohol-based hand sanitizers excessively.

The spokesperson also said that while washing hands and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers may reduce the risk of transmission, overdoing it is not good. One of the major risks of using too much alcohol-based disinfectant is that it can remove natural oil and water on your skin. Dry and damaged skin is an attractive surface for disease bacteria and also allows easy access for various types of viruses through unseen cuts in the skin.

Using Enough Sanitizer

With this new revelation, the question of how much is too much comes to mind. According to the spokesperson of a hand sanitizer manufacturer, using soap moderately for over 30 seconds when washing your hands is very effective. In fact, she said that it accords you more protection than washing your hands many times a day.

She also said to use hand sanitizers sparingly. Pouring a dollop on your finger and spreading it on your hands after washing them with soap and water is more than enough.