Washing hands vs. Hand sanitizer?

[Vacation Lover]

My son and daughter said that their teachers told their classes to use hand sanitizer after using the bathroom, instead of washing their hands.(!) They said that the reason is because it's quicker to use the hand sanitizer. I always thought that washing your hands was the better way to kill germs, etc. and that hand sanitizer was something to be used when you couldn't get to a sink. Am I just behind the times and sanitizer is as effective? It just seems yucky to me to use the bathroom and not use soap and water afterwards! What do you think?

 

[scorpad99]

there should be soap in the bathrooms! I would call the school and question it! I could see if it were b4 lunch and 30 kids all had to go wash hands b4 lunch, but if they r already in the bathroom, y not use soap and water?
It dont sound right!

 

[dfarner]

UGH!! Good old fashioned hand washing with soap and water is the best way to kill germs. I have never heard of a teacher (I'm a teacher) telling kids to NOT wash their hands w/ soap and H2O. I have actually taken time to show my students HOW to wash their hands. I would clarify w/ your kids that she didn't say in addition to washing w/ soap and H2O. We do use hand sanitizer on the way to lunch, but we always hand wash after using the restroom and several other times a during the day.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I think you are correct. I am sure someone more knowledgeable will come along with facts, but I know at our Cub Scout overnight, one of the moms (a nurse) was adamant that we have the boys wash with soap and water. There are a couple of reasons you should not rely on sanitizer, but I can't remember them. Soap, water and scrubbing is the best! I think you can build up an immunity to sanitizer.

 

[Whosemom]

My kid just did some sort of science experiment in class, and the sanitizer did not do anywhere near as well as warm water and soap. I realize that's not a huge scientific survey, but still...

 

[Stephres]

At our school the teachers use hand santizer and squirt everyone before lunch but they use soap and water after using the bathroom. I would not be comfortable with them not washing with soap and water after using the restroom.

 

[emma'smom]

My DH and I have this discussion all the time. My argument is that one needs to wash their hands with soap and hot water after using the restroom because (especially children) there may be..ahem..more than just germs to wash off...and hand sanitizer can't remove actual dirt (or anything else for that matter).

 

[2poohbears]

My twins were preemies, and we had to be very careful about people coming around them when they were less than 2 years old because of germs/rsv, etc. The doctors and nurses all told us to use soap and water - not hand sanitizers - because soap and water is better. We were told only to use the hand sanitizers when soap and water were not available.

 

[mommy2savannah]

My dd4 is in pre-k and her teachers also want them to use hand sanitizer after using the bathroom instead of soap and water. I found this to be very strange and when I asked the teacher the reason for this, she told me they do not want the preschoolers opening the hot water b/c they can get burned. As soon as she gets home from school I take her right to the bathroom and lather and scrub her hands as best as I can to get rid of all the germs!

 

[CastleCreations]

I'm a nurse and a HUGE advocate of hand sanitizer, if used correctly.
Soap and water kill germs through the antimicrobial agent in the soap, and also the soap makes the germs slippery, and with good friction, you loosten the germs and wash them away.
Sanitizer just kills surface germs, which for the most part is fine.
When I'm in a public restroom, in addition to the "foot flush", I use the cleanest sink, and when I'm completely out of the restroom, then I use the sanitizer.
One germ that sanitizer will not kill, is one that causes C Diff. It stands for Clostridium difficile, and believe me...you don't want this...just think "explosive diarrhea", that's uncontrollable.... I make my children use both, but unfortunately, the world is full of wonderful germs.....I will just have to turn them into bubble children, and wrap them in plastic wrap...

 

[SarahKate]

I work in a large hospital and there are hand sanitizer bottles outside each patient room, outside the cafeteria and other key places. With that said, the sanitizer is NOT meant to replace good ol' handwashing. It's just to be used as a supplement.

I would definitely question why they aren't washing their hands. That is not a good habit to get into, just relying on the hand sanitizer. It sounds to me like it is out of convenience. And for the pre-K where the teachers are afraid they'll turn on hot water - they need to teach them the RIGHT way.....turn the cold on first. At a preschool, the water should not be so hot to where it could cause them severe burns anyway.

 

[Aristomommy]

I also second (or third) handwashing as a preferred method if available. Some germs (spores) are not killed by hand sanitizers, but handwashing will if done properly. I would ask the reason why hand sanitizer is the preferred method especially after using restrooms.

 

[teresajoy]

I'm a nurse and a HUGE advocate of hand sanitizer, if used correctly.
Soap and water kill germs through the antimicrobial agent in the soap, and also the soap makes the germs slippery, and with good friction, you loosten the germs and wash them away.
Sanitizer just kills surface germs, which for the most part is fine.
When I'm in a public restroom, in addition to the "foot flush", I use the cleanest sink, and when I'm completely out of the restroom, then I use the sanitizer.
One germ that sanitizer will not kill, is one that causes C Diff. It stands for Clostridium difficile, and believe me...you don't want this...just think "explosive diarrhea", that's uncontrollable.... I make my children use both, but unfortunately, the world is full of wonderful germs.....I will just have to turn them into bubble children, and wrap them in plastic wrap...

Thanks for your that information Lisa! It bothers me that my daughter's school doesn't let them wash their hands before eating lunch, they just squirt sanitizer on everyone. Last year, my daughter had recess before she had lunch, so I KNOW her hands must have been fairly dirty as well.

 

[livndisney]

One germ that sanitizer will not kill, is one that causes C Diff. It stands for Clostridium difficile, and believe me...you don't want this...just think "explosive diarrhea", that's uncontrollable.... I make my children use both, but unfortunately, the world is full of wonderful germs.....I will just have to turn them into bubble children, and wrap them in plastic wrap...

Lisa,

would that be "boutique" plastic wrap? Just think bubble wrap petti skirts.........

I think I need to go to bed

 

[CastleCreations]

Lisa,

would that be "boutique" plastic wrap? Just think bubble wrap petti skirts.........

I think I need to go to bed

Of course boutique...and not just any boutique...custom in every size and color....hand made by me of course.....only 130 yards of the best cling wrap in every skirt, all hand sewn by my own 2 little hands....

 

[livndisney]

Of course boutique...and not just any boutique...custom in every size and color....hand made by me of course.....only 130 yards of the best cling wrap in every skirt, all hand sewn by my own 2 little hands....

With matching hairbows right?

 

[teresajoy]

With matching hairbows right?

Do we need to send you to the corner again Cindee??

 

[livndisney]

who me? no it was that OTHER kid!


of course you could send me to the corner in the Magic Kingdom

 

[teresajoy]

who me? no it was that OTHER kid!


of course you could send me to the corner in the Magic Kingdom

You know, I think we should ALL go to bed!

 

[*love*2*shop]

our school does this too..i asked why....its quicker they say.....
great, so quickness over sanitary...........

I also second (or third) handwashing as a preferred method if available. Some germs (spores) are not killed by hand sanitizers, but handwashing will if done properly. I would ask the reason why hand sanitizer is the preferred method especially after using restrooms.