Hyderabad:The medical shops and stores across the country are running short of face masks and hand sanitizers, thanks to panic-buying of these items amid the coronavirus scare. Pathologists opine that the virus spread can be contained with frequent use of hand sanitizers. But sanitizers that soothe the palms can cause flames too. Wonder how? Industry experts attribute this to the presence of alcohol in sanitizers. They warn that though these sanitizers can help prevent the virus spread, they may put housewives and children at risk. A report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prominently mentioned these risks.
Healthcare personnel recommended that people should wash their hands frequently, even if they are staying indoors. People preferred sanitizers to soaps, which need water to lather and rinse. The alcohol content in hand sanitizers is anywhere between 60 per cent and 90 per cent. Lighting a gas stove or matchstick immediately after using these alcohol-based hand sanitizers may burn one's hands. The risk of burns is directly proportional to the percentage of alcohol in the hand sanitizer.
The CDC report revealed that these sanitizers can also put kids in danger. The report classified children into two age groups; 0-5 years and 6-10 years. It identified children belonging to the 0-5 years category as the most vulnerable to such accidents. They were the victims in 91 per cent of the accidents. There is a risk of skin and throat ailments in children above 5 years of age. Sometimes, children accidentally put hands in their mouth after using the sanitizers. Consequently, they may suffer from vomiting, sore throat, lower abdomen pain, and diarrhoea.