# Hand sanitizers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2000, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340 "2000-06-23T17:23:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2000, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/1 "2000-06-23T17:23:52Z")
I understand the logic behind concern about certain antibacterial products (i.e., selecting for stronger bacteria). However, I seem to recall that some products (like chlorine)are okay in this regard because they are strong enough to kill most or all of the critters. My question is: Do “hand sanitizers” fall into the “safe” category? I don’t mean antibacterial lotions. I mean the alcohol-based “waterless” things that smell like a vodka martini. My husband is addicted to them and keeps them stashed in cars and backpacks, etc. (He also washes with soap and water a lot, so it’s probably okay). So, anyone have any opinions on this? ---
**Author:** ![light\_strand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@light\_strand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/light_strand)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2000, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/2 "2000-06-23T18:44:24Z")
I had to look this up because I don’t have any in my house. Most antibalterial hand soaps use triclosan which is a “targeted” antibacterial agent. > [@](#): > > \*\* > These findings are important because it has been widely reported that triclosan acts as a non-specific agent that attacks bacterial membranes and kills indiscriminately – much like a bomb. If triclosan works in this way, then it is unlikely that bacteria could devise a way to develop resistance. On the contrary, the St. Jude study shows that triclosan interferes with a specific biochemical process inside bacteria. Thus, bacteria can and do find a way to develop resistance. > > Rock reported in a paper published in September that it was possible for E. coli bacteria to develop a resistance to triclosan. Rock showed that triclosan inhibited an enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis produced by a gene called fabI, and that mutations in the fabI gene caused resistance to triclosan. In this latest paper, the St. Jude team explains how this resistance occurs. The researchers pinpointed that the formation of a specific complex (FabI-NAD±triclosan) accounts for the effectiveness of triclosan as an antibacterial agent. If the formation of this complex is prevented, bacteria can become resistant to triclosan. Rock’s group has identified a specific mutation in the fabI gene that prevents the formation of this complex and thus, creates resistance to triclosan > > [http://www.stjude.org/news/99archive/nrbbrockrelease990409.htm](http://www.stjude.org/news/99archive/nrbbrockrelease990409.htm) > \*\* This is important because if a anticaterial agent is “targeted” than a bacterium can mutate resistance. However, there are some VERY effective “non-targeted” antibiotics. Among these is bleach which killes bacteria by oxidation. Other strong oxidizing agents are used as well; Hydrogen peroxide and Ozone. Alcohol is an antibacterial by dissolving the cellular membrane. So if the hand wipes don’t have Triclosan or some other unfamiliar active agent, it should be fine:) ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2000, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/3 "2000-06-23T21:46:27Z")
Those gel type sanitizers are just alcohol with moisturizers. I don’t know the long term affects if any of constantly rubbing alcohol into your skin. I love them, count me in as another addicted to them. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2000, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/4 "2000-06-23T23:37:54Z")
I can’t say they do much. They are anti bacterial, yes, but not anti-virus. ---
**Author:** ![eggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@eggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eggo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2000, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/5 "2000-06-24T17:58:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Alcohol is an antibacterial by dissolving the cellular membrane. so why doesn’t heavy drinking stop infections? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2000, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/6 "2000-06-24T21:06:57Z")
\>\> so why doesn’t heavy drinking stop infections? Actually it does. Once you are dead and buried you don’t have to worry about infections. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2000, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/7 "2000-06-24T23:13:00Z")
Legally drunk is what, about .1% alcohol in the blood? It’d probably hurt the immune system more than the bacteria. ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2000, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/8 "2000-06-24T23:20:20Z")
Hey, sailor, thanks for the first smile I’ve had in over a week, it’s much appreciate, thanks!! ‘…once you’re dead and buried…’ 😃 Count me as another who keeps Purell EVERYWHERE! It’s on every floor of my house, plus in my pocketbook and velcroed inside my car! I was at a grocery store a few weeks ago (I had 'purelled BEFORE going in, and I purell once I get in the car again!) The cashier sniffed at me…then leaned over the counter and asked could she use a drop of my Purell! BOY! SHE must be addicted or something! …yeah, I let the addict have a few drops, but I was there to monitor her usage. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizers/23340/9 "2000-06-25T15:34:40Z")
I guess they are okay if you want to use them. You still have all the bacteria & viruses on your hands until you wash them. It’s extrememly rare to ever catch something just because you got it on your hands! Its what you do with you hands later that gets you infected.