Abstract
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are popular alternative to the traditional handwashing with soap and water in both healthcare and community settings. Although some people use to carry small sanitizer bottles with them during travel; its utilization by common people come into picture during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of sudden requirement of those products within a short time, there was even shortage during the initial days. Once nationwide lockdown was declared in India, to prevent community spread; all the shops were closed including wine shops. During this tough time, many alcohol withdrawal cases were reported from different regions. Some people started taking hand sanitizers as a replacement for potable alcohol. Because of high alcoholic content and adulteration with methanol or any other substances, most of the people became ill and they were hospitalized. Deaths were also reported from different states following its consumption. Addiction to hand sanitizers is now considered as one of the overlooked problems globally. It is very difficult to erase the problem, especially among teenagers. Multi-task approach involving different populations at different levels are required to handle this problem.
Highlights
Hand sanitizers were initially manufactured for use in hospitals to minimize the spread of infection among patients and health care workers
Some common people carry small sanitizer bottles with them, especially during traveling; its major role came into picture in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Stevens and Hix described a female patient admitted in hospital with underlying psychiatric illness who was later shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) in a critical condition after consuming hand sanitizer containing IPA along with some other unknown intoxicants [23]
Summary
Hand sanitizers were initially manufactured for use in hospitals to minimize the spread of infection among patients and health care workers. Most of the incidences are reported amongst patients with a history of mental illness who use ABHS as a replacement whenever potable alcohol not easy available or accessible [14]. The United States poison control centers received more than 100,000 calls of children exposed to hand sanitizer within a period of 5 years (2011–2016) [37,38].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
