Hand Sanitizer

The outbreak of the deadly CoronaVirus has necessitated extensive use of hand sanitizer globally. A new report by reports and data shows that the hand sanitizer market is anticipated to attain approximately USD 7.32 Billion by 2027. The increasing demand for hand sanitizer began in March when it was declared a global pandemic. Supermarkets and pharmacy disinfectant shelves had nothing but clear space.

It reached a point where there was a limit of the number of hand sanitizer an individual could buy. It was not only happening in the US but also across other affected countries in the world. It is due to the essential use of hand sanitizer to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, causing diseases that it got so popular. Along with the benefits of Palm+, cleaning hands by the use of soap and water is also vital.

A hand sanitizer being a hand antiseptic that is either in liquid, foam, or gel form. It is convenient to use and easy to carry along. It is an alternative in situations where you have no soap and water; it contains elements that prevent skin irritation, making it a better option. According to scientists' research, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended as one of the sanitizers to apply to fight the spread of germs. Even the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends one to buy at least a 60.0% alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a way to ensure personal hygiene is maintained. Although that is the case, many health officials acknowledge using alcohol-based hand sanitizer but encourage people to use soap and water whenever they have access to it.

With so much going on, employers and school owners have been encouraged to install hand sanitizers to decrease the rate of absenteeism whenever one falls sick due to flu or gastrointestinal infection. Additional awareness of the importance of proper personal hygiene and well-being is increasingly growing as individuals are using hand sanitizers to stop the spread of germs and disease.

History of Hand Sanitizer

The history of hand sanitizer dates back to the 1900s, and this may take two or three directions to understand its origin. Still, the fact remains a hand sanitizer was first invented to be used in situations where soap and water were not available. One of the directions dates back to 1966 in California, where a nursing scholar (Lupe Hernandez) in Bakersfield combined gel and alcohol to help doctors clean their hands before treating patients whenever soap and water were inaccessible.

Joyce Bedi, a historian, decided to follow Lupe's invention history by finding out whether there is any US patent under his name during the same period, but none was found. Also, Hartmann, a German firm, claims to be the 1st to invent alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with a 75% alcohol) in 1965. Still trying to trace its invention, back to 1946, Goldie and Jerry Lippmann first revealed a waterless hand cleanser. Their Gojo product (a combination of their names) was invented to help rubber operators get rid of carbon black and graphite from their hands.

They first began using 5% alcohol, mineral oil, and petroleum gel to make the Gojo. In 1988, Gojo invented a new hand gel Purell that consisted of 70% alcohol. To date, Purell is one of the most selling hand gels, especially in the US and its neighboring countries.

Does it Work?

Yes, alcohol-based hand sanitiser natural works. In 2009, WHO-the World Health Organization, acknowledged using alcohol-based hand sanitizer to stop the spread of viruses causing illness.

After Doctor Didier Pittet, a Swiss epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert, had written requesting WHO to implement new health guidelines to promote alcohol-based hand sanitizer use. The aim was to help people in developing countries with limited access to clean water to use it as an alternative to soap and water.

On that same note, many health professionals and researchers have since researched to determine if alcohol-based hand sanitizer works. Thus, it is recommended to use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Even with all this evidence, most health officials still urge the continuous use of soap and water to fight germs. The CDC also advises healthcare centers, providers, administrators, and everyone working in our health centers to install alcohol-based hand sanitizers and inform patients to use them per the CDC instructions.

Using a hand sanitizer from a reputable manufacturer will ensure you are free of germs and using a useful product. If you are not convinced, you can do research, and you will find out.