ABUJA – Dr Olanrewaju Falodu, a dermatologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, on Friday advised against inappropriate use of hand sanitisers.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Falodu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that wrong use of the sanitisers can be detrimental to the health of individuals.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
He explained that there were side effects to the use of hand sanitisers if individuals do not adhere to the various needs of their skin.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
“Hand sanitiser is a colourless gel and a solution that can be used to clean the hands in the absence of water to control germs.
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“Sanitisers can cause skin irritation because it has active components which are alcoholic based, and some producers apply this in excess.
“They base their claims on the fact that when the proportion of alcohol in a sanitiser is high, it can be very effective in the killing of germs.
“The percentage can be as high as 50 per cent and above, which some skin might get irritated and develop allergy,’’ he said.
He stressed that alcohol-based sanitisers can cause some potential irritation and side effect in those who use them excessively or who are prone to a reaction.
“For many people, the irritation is limited to their skin becoming dried out, those who are sensitive to sanitisers may experience dizziness, flushing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, depression and such extreme conditions as coma,’’ he noted.
The expert said that some of the ingredients used in producing some sanitisers included isopropyl alcohol and triclosan.
He said that the combination of some of these components can be toxic to the skin which can cause allergy.
When the active ingredient, isopropyl alcohol, mixes with triclosan, the combination can be lethal.
The dermatologist also pointed out that those hand sanitisers with low content of alcohol can increase the bacterial count on our hands instead of reducing it.
He also noted that high alcohol based hand sanitisers can be inflammable and contribute to fire hazards.
The doctor identified that some individuals react to these components and it would be of interest for each individual to recognise the one that best soothes the skin.
“If an individual gets acquainted with a sanitiser he reacts to, it is always better to try another product,’’ Falodu advised.
Falodu also said that the use of soap and water to clean the hands was the most reliable means of controlling germs. (NAN)
Inappropriate use of hand sanitisers can be harmful: Dermatologist
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