Hand Sanitizers???

[karenbaco]

Does anyone know if it is safe for my 2 year old who sucks his fingers to use those purell hand sanitizers? I'm a germ freak and want to avoid any illness while we're at Disney if at all possible but he sucks his fingers constantly. Do you think its safe for him to be sucking the sanitizer right off his hands?
Thanks
Karen

 

[2poohbears]

I find the purell and other "liquid" sanitizers are kind of strong smelling and messy, so I use antibacterial wipes. I found some really small, pocket sized packs at WalMart in the section with other travel sized items (near the hand lotions/pharmacy area at our WalMart)...I find those work better with young children (I have 2 1/2 year old twins).

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I think I would just use baby wipes. No anti-bacterial efect but they clean well and are made to be safe for little ones. I would also wash his hands every time anyone goes into a rest room and perhaps start trying to work on keeping his hands out of his mouth. It does seem that kids that suck thier thumbs and such are sick a lot more that other kids.

Good luck!!!

JOrdans' mom

 

[Huntava]

I also have toddler twins, and my DS (thanks to a bad habit his father has) bites his nails. I use the hand sanitizer, if we are not somewhere he can wash his hands with soap and water, and he has never exhibited any problems with it.

 

[krismom]

The ingredient that kills the bacteria is an actual pesticide. I read an article (I will try to find link) that if you use an antibacterial wipe on a shopping cart handle and then your child licks or sucks on the handle it is like feeding them a pesticide. I say good old soap and water- and in a pinch, just use regular wipes.

Just my $ .02

 

[Adrienne]

i thought that the active ingredient (that kills germs) in most hand sanitisers was alcohol, so the worst that you would get would be a slightly tipsy toddler....

Adrienne

 

[Schmeck]

I know you were just kidding, but it's the wrong (toxic) kind of alcohol in the wipes...

 

[DazedandConfused]

I use hand sanitizers with my 2 kids. I have used them for the last few years. I have one who still puts his hands in his mouth and I am not too nervous about it because when we can we use just plain soap and water. Places like Disney we definately carry the hand sanitizers with us but I get them at Bath and Body Works. They make them for kids in all kinds of great scents like grape, banana, etc. They smell great and come in foam and wipes. My kids never mind using them. I am a medical professional and use hand sanitizers and think the risk of dry skin and a little alcohol on kids hands definately outweighs the germs on handrails, doorknobs, & floors (my son is always bending over and putting his hands all over the floor...Uggh). Try not to let your child put their hands near their eyes or mouth right after using when they are still wet and in my opinion, it will be fine for use during your vacation but definately wash hands whenever a sink is available. Have a great vacation!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

If you can't wash with soap and water, the best thing according to my pediatrician is Wet Ones antibacterial wipes. They dry really quickly and I've used them on my DD for years with no ill effects. My ped. says that it's better to use them than to expose her to some of the germs out there, esp. on changing tables & in bathrooms. You can get them in canisters, individual packets, or travel packs of 15 at Target. I already have mine for our trip next week. Good luck & have fun!

Allison

 

[maya44]

t definately wash hands whenever a sink is available. Have a great vacation!

Actually did you see the most recent study in the journal Pediatrics? It said the sanitizers were BETTER than soap and water especially when combined with aloe (to allieviate dryness).

I never use a sink in places like WDW. The water is usually lukewarm, makes a mess and its hard to scrub for long ennough to kill germs effetively. Alcohol based sanitizers kill the germs instanatly and dissipate so there is really not anything there to bother kids after about 30 seconds.

 

[OceanAnnie]

If you can't wash with soap and water, the best thing according to my pediatrician is Wet Ones antibacterial wipes. They dry really quickly and I've used them on my DD for years with no ill effects. My ped. says that it's better to use them than to expose her to some of the germs out there, esp. on changing tables & in bathrooms. You can get them in canisters, individual packets, or travel packs of 15 at Target. I already have mine for our trip next week. Good luck & have fun!

Allison

Thanks for the tip! I'll get some of those.

I've been using the bath and body antibx foaming soap. It can be expensive when I don't catch it on sale. I like the foaming soap, but I'll try the Wet Ones antibx wipes too.

 

[2poohbears]

I use those travel size packets of wet ones (walmart sells them as well, but they are near hand soaps in our walmart, not near the baby section of the store) all the time as my travel wipes for my boys. The packet is pretty small, so you would think the sheets would be as well, but they are about the same size as regular wipes and are thick.

My boys were preemies and I had to use the antibacterial wipes whenever we went out when they were babies. This was on doctor's advice, so I would think you should be okay using the wipes for your trip. Check with your pediatrician if you are concerned about it, though.

 

[Schmeck]

Just had it on the news about how we're overusing the antibacterial stuff, and we're killing the good microbes along with the bad.

Don't believe everything that your doctor tells you - my MIL was told by her ob/gyn to start smoking again when she was pregnant, because when she quit she gained too much weight...

All this antibacterial stuff is still pretty new - who knows what it's messing up. Just remember the overuse of antibiotics has led to resistant strains.

 

[maya44]

Just had it on the news about how we're overusing the antibacterial stuff, and we're killing the good microbes along with the bad.

Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not "anti-bacterials" though. They don't pose the even potential problems that an anti-bacterial might.

 

[JustineMarie]

I put in another vote for Wet Ones. My daughter is a thumbsucker and these are great. When her hands dry after using one and she sucks her thumb she doesn't complain that it tastes bad like she does when I use the Purell. Plus, our doctor said that Wet Ones are made for kids and are a good choice.

 

[cheerbop]

Don't believe everything that your doctor tells you - my MIL was told by her ob/gyn to start smoking again when she was pregnant, because when she quit she gained too much weight...

I can NOT believe tha a DR would tell their patient to START smoking! WHAT!?

That is very scary!

I use baby wipes on everything but I will have to try the Wet Ones...

 

[maya44]

I can NOT believe tha a DR would tell their patient to START smoking! WHAT!?

That is very scary!

I think she means back in the 1950's-60's when doctors did indeed give this advice.

 

[cheerbop]

I think she means back in the 1950's-60's when doctors did indeed give this advice.

OK..that makes me feel better! I couldn'tbelieve that I actually read that!

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[fran99999]

ver batuim from the back of my Sanitizer. "FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY(HANDS)........In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assitance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately." (I am sure this is prior to the drying process) "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. For children under 6, use only under adult supervision. NOT recomended for infants."

Now I have a 6 year old and I use it on him. He does not put his fingers in his mouth however. So for your childs sake I did it--- I used the sanitizer and then when dry put my fingers in my mouth YUCK!!!!! This could cure your child of this habit.


Have a great vacation. YUCK!!! This is a nasty taste I have to go brush my teeth.

 

[mill4023]

ver batuim from the back of my Sanitizer. "FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY(HANDS)........In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assitance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately." (I am sure this is prior to the drying process) "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. For children under 6, use only under adult supervision. NOT recomended for infants."

Now I have a 6 year old and I use it on him. He does not put his fingers in his mouth however. So for your childs sake I did it--- I used the sanitizer and then when dry put my fingers in my mouth YUCK!!!!! This could cure your child of this habit.


Have a great vacation. YUCK!!! This is a nasty taste I have to go brush my teeth.

I'm pretty sure the reason for that warning is that the active ingredient in most hand sanitizers is isopropyl alcohol, which is toxic. But it also evaporates so quickly that once the hands are dry, there won't be any left to ingest. I'm not sure what other trace ingredients may be present and left on the skin though.

http://www.purell.com/faq.aspx