With the global panic associated with the coronavirus pandemic, these past weeks have recorded an increasing number of fears, panics and uncertainties as to "THE WAY FORWARD". Well, thank goodness that our health professionals and the World Health Organisation are working relentlessly to curb this menace while sensitizing the people. Interestingly, WHO has recommended several tips that will help to stop the spread of Covid-19, which includes; staying at home, regular hand washing, social distancing, avoid touching the (face, eyes, mouth and nose), covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, covering your cough and sneeze with the bend of your elbow, always disinfecting the surfaces you use regularly and the use of hand sanitizers. This post addresses the latter, which is "the use of HAND SANITIZERS". To curb the spread of Covid-19, hand sanitizers are strongly recommended for use in the absence of handwashing. The good news is that it can quickly kill any microorganism on your hands, hand sanitizers can hinder bacterial counts on hands and it does not encourage antimicrobial resistance.With the on-going pandemonium as a result of the swift spread of the novel Covid-19, many suppliers and retailers cannot keep abreast with the massive demand for hand sanitizer. Unless you have a huge reserve of hand sanitizer, you will most likely find it difficult to purchase any from your local shop now. Of course, you cannot move around with soap and water but you can conveniently move around with a hand sanitizer, ready to disinfect when the need arises. WHO recommends that a potent hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol. Once you purchase the right ingredients, then you can comfortably produce your own version of hand sanitizer from the comfort of your home.
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Here is the World Health Organisation Guidelines on how to make a hand sanitizer:
INGREDIENTS FOR 10-LITRE PREPARATIONS
These formulations can be produced in a 10-litre glass or plastic bottles with screw-threaded stoppers.
FORMULATION 1
1) Ethanol 96%: 8333 ml
2) Hydrogen peroxide 3%: 417 ml
3) Glycerol 98%: 145 ml
FORMULATION 2
1) Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%: 7515 ml
2) Hydrogen peroxide 3%: 417 ml
3) Glycerol 98%: 145 ml
Preparatory Steps
Step 1. Pour the alcohol into a large bottle or tank.
Step 2. Add the hydrogen peroxide into the alcohol.
Step 3. Add the glycerol into the mixture. Note that glycerol has a sticky consistency, thus you should rinse the container with either sterile cold boiled water or distilled water and then empty it into the mixture.
Step 4. Top up the 10-litre mark mixing bottle or tank with cold boiled water or sterile distilled water.
Step 5. Cover the bottle or tank immediately post-preparation to prevent evaporation.
Step 6. Then gently shake the solution or use a paddle to mix.
Step 7. Divide the solution into smaller plastic bottles labelled hand sanitizer, quarantine the bottles for at least 3 days before use. This will give time for the destruction of any spores found in the alcohol or the used bottles.
Any effective hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol. Glycerol is also a key ingredient for making hand sanitizers as it prevents the alcohol from drying out your hands. In the absence of glycerol, use the rest of the ingredients to prepare the hand sanitizer but endeavour to moisturize your hands immediately after using the sanitizer.
Feel free to add a few drops of tea tree oil simply to add scent to the hand sanitizer.
PRECAUTIONS
Notwithstanding the importance of hand sanitizers, some medical professionals have shown concerns about their components, as well as how these products are used. Up until now, many people are oblivious of what a hand sanitizer is, the contents of a hand sanitizer and the right way to use it. A layman who has just been informed to "regularly use a hand sanitizer" would do so without understanding the right way to use it and the risks therein. In a bid to avoid contacting the coronavirus, someone can empty a bottle of hand sanitizer into his/her hands without implementing the right method of use. It might interest you to know that the alcohol-based versions of hand sanitizers basically contain some combination of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropyl alcohol or n-propanol. Of course, alcohol gel can catch fire if used wrongly due to its flammable alcohol components. If you ignite a small amount of sanitizer, it can burn very quickly, which can cause a skin burn, injury or property damage.
- To reduce the risk of fire, rub your hands until dry. By so doing, the flammable alcohol would have evaporated.
- To prevent a fire hazard, do not use alcohol-based hand sanitizer close to an open flame or a heat source.
- Use a hand sanitizer only when it is difficult for you to wash your hands with water and soap.
- Always use the hand sanitizers with care or don't use it at all.
Bear in mind that COVID-19 is here to wreak havoc - don't aggravate it!
"Be in the know" - to avoid moving from the frying pan to fire.
DISCLAIMER This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
World Health Organisation Guide to Local Production of WHO-recommended Handrub Formulations
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