Reply Re- Hand Sanitiser

[Ash322]

Cannot find any side affect from using alcohol in homemade sanitisers. Doesn't appear to affect the liver. Hand washing is best with soap but not convenient if you are outside somewhere or away from your washing facilities.

[Hidden]

I was going to say that the odd use of hand sanitiser wouldn't be harmful, but upon reflection, I think it might be better to air on the side of caution and avoid using them.

Some Hand Sanitisers can be up to 80% proof. This is the reason why it is now banned for use in prisons. The alcohol can be absorbed through the skin, and enter into the blood system, where it will eventually find it's way to the liver, and the brain. If a liver is struggling due to liver damage, this will become an additional burden.

If someone is trying to kick an alcohol habit or addiction, just a small amount could cause a person to relapse. Also, if a person was on the liver transplant waiting list, any amount of alcohol found in the body may cause a person to be found unsuitable for transplant, and removed from the list.

Better to be safe than sorry, just use soap. From what I understand. The Covid-19 virus is covered with a thin oily substance, which helps it to stick to skin and surfaces. Washing with soap breaks down this oily barrier, and kills the virus.

[alfredthegreat]

Hi Ash

I agree with you that hand washing is not so convenient outside of the house, if you are shopping or going to appointments. Its extremely difficult not to touch objects eg. parking machines, doors, chairs, shelves etc.

I would think that given the seriousness of the Corona virus situation the safer option is to use a hand sanitiser (even if containing alcohol) rather than increase the risks of getting the virus. It's a matter of balance and safety.

I'm sure that if a person were to be called to transplant and a small amount of alcohol was to be found in their system that the transplant team have the intelligence to realise that we are all being asked to use hand sanitisers through this crisis and it's very likely that a prospective transplant patient could have a tiny amount of alcohol in their system through the use of this product.

All the very best to you.

Alf

[CocoChannel in reply to alfredthegreat]

Voice of reason. Hope you’re doing well, Alf.

[alfredthegreat in reply to CocoChannel]

Yes thanks Coco. Keeping occupied. Hope all is well with you and yours

[ThreeSmiles in reply to alfredthegreat]

Took the words out of my mouth - except my message would not have been anywhere near as good and as rationally expressed as that 😀.

Good post, Alf

[Hidden in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Right said Fred. 😜

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Hidden]

Did you see the respect I showed him there feckle 😀 oh I mean Ofeckman 😀

[Hidden in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Spotty 🐕 👍

[Paulwil]

Don't worry about using hand wash. You would ingest far more alcohol when eating a slice of bread than absorbing it through your hands.

Alcohol levels are well below detectable or harmful levels for anyone

[Hidden]

Good afternoon Ash322,

That is an interesting question and one I will raise with the British Liver Trust clinical board in due course.

HOWEVER, in the interim , it is essential to adhere to the governemt guidance of hand washing when at all possible and using hand sanitiser when it is not.

As others have said, the risks from contracting the COVID-19 virus outweigh any perceived risks from hand sanitisers - until suggested otherwise .

Leave it with me !

Trust9

[GrannyDoll61]

I work in a small care home. My husband had a liver transplant 2 years ago. Should I still be working?

[alfredthegreat in reply to GrannyDoll61]

Hi Granny,

I am 19 months post transplant, 70 years old, with mild asthma and some scarring on my lungs so I am in quite a high risk group. My wife is 67 and physically active and well but has decided to self isolate to help to protect me.

It's a bit of a grey area still for the partners of the vulnerable, particularly if under 70, so all we can do is weigh up all the pros and cons and make the most sensible decision. This is obviously harder for you as you are working and a key worker at that!

Very best wishes to you.

Alf

[ThreeSmiles in reply to alfredthegreat]

Hey freddy. My wife and I were discussing this very topic this morning! She is in self isolation too. Then she said oh she can go to Sainsbury’s for their vulnerable shopping time but I’m not sure about that? They are letting vulnerable people and NHS/care people in at the same time - unless that has changed. Any ideas?

[alfredthegreat in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Hi Milo,

At the moment we are ok for supplies and my wife was only going to go out if absolutely necessary.

Prescriptions are now being delivered to us from the local GP surgery.

Our son who lives only 4 miles away said that if there is anything we need he will get it and deliver into our garage.

He won't have any physical contact with us because for the last few weeks he has been working all over the country but has now started working from home.

His son is at nursery 2 days a week and his wife works for MENCAP in a home. So they have all been in touch and are still in touch with a lot of people.

At the moment we have no need to leave the house.

Luckily we have a large garden and plenty to do, so that's fresh air and exercise taken care of.

If we get stir crazy we will probably take the National Trust up on their offer of having their parks and gardens open free for people who want a change of scenery and an amble at a safe distance from others.

I would say only go out in public if you have to through absolute necessity as you are in a very similar position as me.

Hang on in there

Alf

[ThreeSmiles in reply to alfredthegreat]

Thanks freddy!

Well we do have our family “next door” but there’s seven of them and we started to wonder what would happen if one of them got ill 👎.

We are also OK for the moment but not for too long - a week maybe? But anyway Supermarkets are doing some deliveries if you can get a slot. We have next door (he daughter etc) who is currently booking slots for us - I think they are being very cautious about going out too. The five children are going round the bend - no sport to play and no school either 😕👎. But that’s life atm, isn’t it!

Milo

[alfredthegreat in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Yes, we've all just got to be sensible and careful for ourselves and toward others and sit it all out and stay positive.

[ThreeSmiles in reply to alfredthegreat]

That’s the way to do it - said Mr Punch 😀👍

[CocoChannel in reply to alfredthegreat]

You’re right to air on the side of caution, Alf.

[Laura009 in reply to CocoChannel]

Err on the side of caution

[Hidden in reply to Laura009]

Not even a sniff? Errr! 😶

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Laura009]

Laura - as an ex English teacher I think we can safely say Coco had his tongue firmly in his cheek there 😀👍...

Oh I’m not an ex English teacher but Coco was! Lol. Boring ex Engineer me 😀

[Laura009 in reply to ThreeSmiles]

That's probably why he's an EX English teacher !