Washing hands with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds is the best way for children to get rid of germs, including the virus that causes COVID-19. However, use it with care around children, since swallowing hand sanitizer can cause poisoning.
Types of Alcohol in Hand Sanitizers
Many hand sanitizers are made with alcohol or rubbing alcohol
- Alcohol poisoning symptoms include loss of balance, sleepiness, low blood sugar, seizures and coma, and it can be fatal
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued recalls for products containing methanol, which is toxic if swallowed or after repeated use on skin
About Dr. Osterhoudt
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor.
Hand sanitizer poisonings during the COVID-19 pandemic
Many are for children ages 5 years and younger, mostly in children
- Health experts recommend that hand sanitizers be made of 60% to 95% alcohol to kill the virus, while drinking alcohol is 5% to 40% alcohol
Check the label
Make sure it has a label that lists the ingredients, warnings, and precautions.
- Check for bitter ingredients such as denatonium benzoate, sucrose octaacetate, or butanol
- Be especially careful with hand sanitizers made with isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)
