Stay Healthy in The New Normal Era, Smart to Choose and Use Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizer is also called antiseptic hand or hand rub, lately it is very popular to be used by the people especially at the beginning of corona (SARS-COV-2) virus's  spread. Even in March 2020 to April 2020 there was a scarcity and a drastic surge in the price of hand sanitizers, vitamins and other medical devices on the market throughout Indonesia, including Bali. 60mL hand sanitizer which is usually sold at a price range of IDR 8,000 up to IDR 11,000 jumped to IDR 50,000. But this does not reduce people's purchasing power.

COVID-19 is actually different from the corona virus, where COVID-19 is a disease caused by corona virus. The Government through the Indonesian Minister of Health issues a rules No. HK.02.01 / MENKES / 335/2020 concerning COVID-19 transmission prevention protocol, where the use of hand sanitizers is one way to maintain hand hygiene besides using masks and limiting physical distance. There are hand sanitizers that alcohol-based (according to the World Health Organization / WHO, hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol) and alcohol-free. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers (which can contain benzalkonium chloride) are also available on the market, where they are non-flammable and relatively non-toxic. Hand sanitizers can be gel, foam or liquid.

According to a journal, hand sanitizers are more popular in the form of gels and foams. Actually the liquid form gives a cleaner, smoother, and more moist taste but is more difficult to use. While foam and gel are stickier, less clean, and slower to dry (Greenaway, RE, et al., 2018).

Germs and viruses can spread when we touch the eyes, nose and mouth; preparing food and drinks; touching people, objects or exposed surfaces without washing hands. Washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer can reduce the spread of disease. Hand sanitizers can be used when there is no soap and water around us. With the existence of a hand sanitizer near us can make us usual to maintaining hand hygiene. The use of the right type of hand sanitizer, the amount of usage and the right method of use, and routine will provide optimal results. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the difference between hand soap and hand sanitizer is that soap can eliminate all types of germs, heavy metals, pesticides, and hazardous chemicals from the hand but hand sanitizer only removes certain germs. Also hand sanitizer is not suitable for use on dirty and oily hands.

Hand sanitizers is Household Health Supplies / PKRT (Permenkes RI No.62 of 2017) which manufacture, import and repackaging must have a marketing authorization from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. To ensure that the distribution permit for the hand sanitizer product can be checked through the website cekbpom.pom.go.id, infoalkes.kemkes.go.id, or through the BPOM Mobile application and BPOM Check. The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and WHO have issued a standard for making hand sanitizers. Communities are allowed to produce hand sanitizers for their own use in accordance with these guidelines.

 The use of excessive soap can cause skin damage and increase the chance of infection. CDC further recommends the use of hand sanitizers that contain alcohol with various moisturizers to reduce skin damage, dryness, and irritation. Long-term use of hand sanitizers rarely causes skin allergies or poisoning to the skin and breathing even though they are often used in normal use. Alcohol only damages proteins and cell membranes of viruses and germs, their repeated use does not cause germs to be resistance to alcohol. The use of hand sanitizers in children is not dangerous as long as it is certain that the alcohol has completely evaporated before they touch the mouth or food.

How to use a good hand sanitizer is pour enough to cover the entire surface of the hand, rub and wait for it to dry about 20 seconds (so that alcohol works optimally). When using a hand sanitizer, see the product label, make sure the product is officially registered, wash hands before and after eating and drinking, touch objects in the public area, touch the eyes, nose, mouth, and other body parts. Knowing the right time and how to wash your hands will prevent transmission of the disease.

Reference:

1. Surat Edaran Nomor HK.02.01/MENKES/335/2020 tentang Protokol Pencegahan Penularan Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) di  Tempat Kerja Sektor Jasa dan Perdagangan (Area Publik) dalam Mendukung Keberlangsungan Usaha

2. Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 62 Tahun 2017 Izin Edar Alat Kesehatan, Alat Kesehatan Diagnostik In Vitro dan Perbekalan Kesehatan Rumah Tangga

3. Greenaway, R.E., K. Ormandy, C. Fellows, and T. Hollowood. 2018. Impact of Hand Sanitizer Format (gel/foam/liquid) and Dose Amount on Its Sensory Properties and Acceptability for Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance. J Hosp Infect.100(2):195-201