Hand Gel

[sillywitch]

Does anyone know if hand gels are really effective?

I use one when I remember especially if I've been to the hospital, butr i,m finding the smell affects my chest, so is it worth me continuing???

Thank you

Karen

[Hidden]

I got one in the car,and one in the kitchen.they smell of coconut which is a lovely smell.pound land.guess how much ???? Yep you got it xx

[scrobbitty]

I use Cuticura 8 hour antiseptic gel Karen. It's marvellous stuff, a bit sticky but it eventually blends in - smells of melon and it's lovely. Not too expensive - got a deal at Sainsbugs.

[Hidden]

Yes I always use them since I have had lung disease. I especially use them when I Visit the hospital, and often sit and people watch too see how many do use it sadly most people do not Our GP surgery is very hot on people using it especially when the norovirus is about in winter.I often use the handwipes too if i cannot get the gel. I use the same one as scrobbity but marks and spencers wipes as they are light hope this helps xxxx Julie xxx

[Hidden]

At home soap and water is just if not more effective than gels. I order my wipes from the internet and they are fragrance free and just as good as the gel. They were the same ones that my hospital used, I even washed my hair with them!

[Hidden]

My neighbour is a micro-biologist & she reckons they are very effective providing you use them often.

I use them all the time e.g. after I have come out of a public toilet, because even though I always wash my hands how often do you see people who don't? They then use the same exit door that you use so their bacteria is all over the door handle! Has that same person just used the same shopping trolley that you are now using? When you have returned the trolley cleanse your hands before you get in your car.

I am not suggesting that you become obsessive about this but lots of people do seem to think that "if you can't see it it isn't there" and personally I want to avoid infection whenever possible.

Unusual supplier - our local builders merchant sells large (unscented) containers of the stuff very cheaply so may be worth checking yours.

[libby7827]

I have a downstairs loo that has no sink, so it means going into the kitchen to wash my hands. Some days I just haven't got the breath to get to the kitchen so I have both antiseptic wipes in the loo and gel in the lounge. Wouldn't be without them. Libby

[sillywitch]

It,s the smell with the one I,ve been using that made me wonder if there were scent free ones & now I know!!!

Thank you all for taking the time to help

Love

Karen

xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sillywitch]

Me too, never knew they did a scent free, my lungs don't like the smell, but my Dad caught MRSA, and it was awful for him, he died having that bug, so I do use the gel. Almost bathe in the stuff at the hospital, where my dad caught it, and have a bottle in every bag I own, but would like some scent free, the smelly stuff also ruins your food, changes the taste aswell as making your lungs feel solid full.

[copdber]

I didn't know about the fragerence free ones I'm using the Tesco own brand and it's ok I do find them a bit hard on my hands and when ever I can remember I use a hand cream.

[peege in reply to copdber]

There's a new one out that moisturises as well as antibac. I'll have a look in the morning &try to remember to let you know P xx

[James48]

Yes, use it a lot and hope you can find scent free. I cannot understand why it's not compulsory for staff and vistors in hospitals?

[Gidge]

Hand gel is usually alcohol based (no, don't drink it !) and good for killing most germs, but C Difficile (the nasty hospital diarrhoea bug, not the Norovirus winter vomiting bug) is not killed by it - the most effective prevention for that is hand washing. My husband thinks I am mad when we are out,I don't let him touch lift buttons, handrails in lifts etc. - I push them with my elbow or knuckle - may get funny looks but hopefully not the bugs ! I try to remember to have a really good hand wash when we get home - I also wipe all the door handles with antiseptic wipes every so often,and the loo handle, not forgetting the computer keyboard - but try not to get too obsessive about it.

[Hidden]

Oh I know what you mean about things like that affecting breathing. I get asthma from cleaning products.

I keep packs of baby wipes in a lot of rooms around the house, the sort for sensitive skin and without any smell or scent. I use them all the time to wipe my hands or kitchen surfaces etc