Beware of Hand Sanitizers

In this period that will be forever known as the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, two items were and still remain the most purchased and stocked in every household. The first is, obviously, toilet paper, an item that sent the whole nation on a hoarding frenzy. The second is hand sanitizer, an extremely important part of pandemic life, especially for front-line workers, but also for anyone having to leave their home.

However, further research has shown that hand sanitizers must be selected carefully. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recently released a list of hand sanitizers from various brands that are to be recalled due to their potential dangers. So what makes a hand sanitizer unsafe and how can you determine if yours is viable for use? 

What Makes Hand Sanitizer Unsafe? 

The most notable cause for the FDA recalling numerous brands of hand sanitizers is the presence of methanol. Methanol is a wood alcohol commonly found in fuel and anti-freeze, both of which are notably poisonous substances. According to a statement made by the FDA, methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers as it can be extremely toxic, especially in the case of repeated and regular use, which is commonplace now. 

Prolonged use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain methanol can cause blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and even seizures. In case you experience any of these symptoms, it may be the result of methanol poisoning and treatment should be sought immediately. Ingestion of hand sanitizers that contain methanol, which occurs accidentally on a frequent basis, can cause loss of sight, severe illness, and even death.