The Fast Facts
- A lot of individuals practically have a bottle of hand sanitizer with them at all times and they can use it when they are in need to give their hands a quick disinfection in case they are unable to use and clean their hands with soap and water.
- In the times we live in hand sanitizer is a necessity in everyday life and in times that hygiene is most important.
- The pain is usually the sharp choking pain that resembles the burning feeling and it is quite uncomfortable but a sign that the sanitizer is working.
In the times we live in hand sanitizer is a necessity in everyday life and in times that hygiene is most important. A lot of individuals practically have a bottle of hand sanitizer with them at all times and they can use it when they are in need to give their hands a quick disinfection in case they are unable to use and clean their hands with soap and water. However, what will you do when you cut yourself by mistake and unconsciously touch your bottle of hand sanitizer? Can we put hand sanitizer on a cut or can it be harmful? So, let us take a closer look at this area.
What is Hand Sanitizer?
Soaps and hand wash are products used to remove germs on the body. They are in gel, foam or liquid form and mostly contain alcohol (ethanol / isopropanol) as the active ingredient. Hand sanitizers tend to contain alcohol at the level of 60-95% that is effective at destroying the majority of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. To make such hand sanitizers more amiable to use, some hand sanitizers are also mood-conditioned with moisturizers and fragrance.
How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?
The mechanism of action of hand sanitizers is destruction of the outer-membrane of viruses and bacteria which kills the bacteria and viruses. The alcohol is also a strong damaging agent that can considerably decrease the level of germs on your hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that alcohol-based hand sanitizers have the potential of reducing the amount of germs by a significant number provided that they are used properly.
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Is it Safe to Use Hand Sanitizer on a Cut?
Immediate Pain and Discomfort.
The first thing that you are likely to experience even after applying hand sanitizer on a cut is the burning sensation and the pain. This is due to the fact that alcohol has the ability to cause irritation to the protruding nerve endings of a cut. The pain is usually the sharp choking pain that resembles the burning feeling and it is quite uncomfortable but a sign that the sanitizer is working.
Potential Benefits.
Even though it hurts initially there can be certain advantages of applying hand sanitizer to a cut:
- Convenience: On the road situations when you realize that you have incurred a minor cut, hand sanitizers are convenient as they can be carried around and used easily.
- Disinfection: Sanitizers containing alcohol as an active ingredient are active against bacteria and viruses that can be used to decrease the chance of becoming infected with a fresh cut. It can come in handy, in particular, where there is no access to clean water and soap.
Potential Risks.
Nevertheless, a number of risks can be brought up concerning the use of hand sanitizer on a cut:
- Interference with Natural Healing: With a cut on the skin the body forms a scab on the wound. This can be interfered by alcohol and therefore may cause problems.
- Dry and Irritative: Alcohol may be a great drying and irritating agent on the skin. Putting it on an incision might result in additional irritation, which will prolong the healing process.
- Chemical Burns: In even rarer circumstances, alcohol contains in hand sanitizers may give rise to a chemical burn, particularly when used on a substantial or greater injury.
Expert Opinions.
| 💡 Expert Interview: Dr. Lisa Thompson, Nutritionist. In order to understand this issue in a better light, we have interviewed Dr. Emily Stevens, a dermatologist who has worked in the field and has more than 15 years of experience, and Dr. Robert Harris, an emergency medicine physician. Dr Emily Stevens: It is not advisable to apply hand sanitizer on a cut. In as much as, the alcohol will aid in the disinfection of the wound, it will also be found to be highly irritable as well as slowing down the process of healing. Mild antiseptic or salty solution is preferable to soap and water, in case you have to wash a cut and do not have it, at hand.” Dr Robert Harris: The hand sanitizer may be better than nothing in a situation where someone finds oneself but has no other alternatives but to treat the wound. It must be reserved, however, it is not a first choice treatment. It is noteworthy that, it is worth cleaning the wound using water and applying an adequate antiseptic where possible. |
Scientific Evidence.
The nature of alcohol-based sanitizers on skin and wound has been investigated in a number of studies. One study in the Journal of Hospital Infection revealed that alcohol-based disinfectants did reduce the microbial load on intact skin and once applied on a breach in skin (in the form of a cut), results in irritation and healing.(1) Still another study performed in the American Journal of Infection Control pointed out that alcohol has the ability to denature proteins and destroy cell membranes, and this is harmful wound healing.(2)
Alternatives to Hand Sanitizer for Cuts.
Soap and Water.
Mild washing and water are the most effective and proper way to wash off a cut. This is a comfortable way of removing dirts and debris. It also heals naturally and is not harsh to the skin.
Antiseptic Solutions.
Antiseptic solutions, such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine, are specifically designed to disinfect wounds. They are generally more suitable for cuts than hand sanitizers because they are formulated to be less irritating.
Saline Solution.
An anti septic solution (like Hydrogen peroxide or Iodine) is a liquid which is specifically designed to disinfect wounds. They are not as irritating as the sanitizers so they can be used more often in cuts.
Antibiotic Ointments.
After cleaning the cut, applying an antibiotic ointment, e.g. Neosporin, may prevent an infection and speed up the healing. These ointments form protective barrier and they keep the wound moist and this helps in healing.
Bottom Line.
Although hand sanitizer is comprehendible and a strong instrument in cleaning hands, it cannot be used on wounds. The content alcohol may inflict severe pain, inflammation as well as slow down the healing process. Rather, cutting wounds should be washed with clean water and soap, antiseptic solution, or saline should be used to reduce the possibility of infection and encourage healing.
The hand sanitizers are meant to be used on intact skin. When it comes to the wound treatment it is essential to follow the first aid steps. When you are not sure of what to do about a cut, consult a medical expert. The correct actions will be able to guarantee the fast and easy healing of your wound.
+2 Sources
Freaktofit has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, educational research institutes, and medical organizations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy.
- National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England; https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/s0195-6701(13)60012-2/fulltext
- Evaluation of a benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer in reducing transient Staphylococcus aureus bacterial skin contamination in health care workers; https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(19)30811-9/pdf
