Hand sanitizer pregnancy safe
Alcohol Hand Rubs Pose No Risk to Pregnant HCWs |…
<p>Pregnant and breast-feeding healthcare workers appear to be well within safe exposure limits and can use alcohol-based hand rubs without risk to fetus or baby, a researcher reported recently.</p>
September 1, 2017
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Pregnant and breast-feeding healthcare workers appear to be well within safe exposure limits and can use alcohol-based hand rubs without risk to fetus or baby, a researcher reported recently in Portland, OR, at the annual meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
“The internal doses of ethanol associated with frequent use of hand sanitizers and scrubs are hundreds of times lower than the concentration that might be related to [reproductive] developmental effects,” said Andrew Maier, PhD, CIH, DABT, associate professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati. “That is good news. Based on this, there is no significant risk of developmental reproductive [effects] from repeated use of these types of materials. The exposure that one can get from using these products is way below the concentrations that cause these kinds of effects.”
The FDA requested information in 2015 on the safety of active ingredients in healthcare antiseptics, saying solutions and products are being used in the absence of data on long-term effects to healthcare workers. Alcohol-based healthcare antiseptics are not only ubiquitous and used frequently throughout the day in healthcare settings, they are essentially a standard of care, given their recommendation by the CDC. Though some have noted there is no established safety threshold for fetal alcohol syndrome, the FDA would have to find compelling evidence to limit the use of alcohol rubs in hospitals. An unintended consequence could be an increase in healthcare-associated infections that already kill tens of thousands of patients annually.
Studies undertaken by researchers and industry are expected to demonstrate adequate safety data to the FDA, which has recommended continuing to use the alcohol rubs while the review is in process.
The FDA requested that “maximal use” trials be conducted to ensure the safety of frequent use of alcohol-based hand rubs by healthcare workers.
“This is the new thinking from FDA and they are doing this with all drugs now,” said David Macinga, PhD, director of regulatory affairs and clinical science at GOJO Industries, Inc., in Akron, OH. “We used to see studies under typical use, and now FDA is saying we want to see safety studies done under what’s called ‘maximum’ use conditions. If you think about these alcohol hand rubs, they want to see studies done at the maximum number of uses that may be done in a single day by a single person.”
Breaking Down Data
A recently published study2 used a retrospective review of the literature and analysis of two other studies that utilized hand hygiene electronic compliance monitoring (ECM) systems.
The researchers found the greatest use of alcohol rubs was recorded by an ECM system in a medical ICU.
“In 95% of nursing shifts, individual nurses used alcohol-based hand rubs 141 times or less per shift, and 15 times or less per hour,” the authors reported.
Maier reviewed that study and other data involving alcohol exposures in animals and its presence in common products in a review of the issue at APIC. Maier disclosed receipt of grant funding and research support from GOJO Industries, which manufactures hand cleaners and other healthcare products.
“We’re really focusing our assessments on developmental effects — reproductive developmental toxicity,” Maier said. “The key question is making sure the exposure level is well below the concentrations where the effect might be caused. That is the margin of safety assessment.”
Evaluating data that included some 250 published studies on the reproductive effects of alcohol consumption, Maier predictably found that the majority of those involved consumption of alcoholic drinks.
“They show that binge drinking or ingestion of high levels of alcohol do cause developmental effects,” he said. “That’s no surprise to most folks in occupational health, but the question is what happens at smaller, very low levels of exposure?”
That is a much harder question to answer, but Maier pointed out at the onset that the tracking systems in place by FDA and other bodies have not identified any link between alcohol hand rubs used in healthcare and reproductive effects in workers. Maier also looked at animal toxicology studies on alcohol and reproductive effects.
“Two big findings came out of our evaluation of the animal toxicology data,” he said. “One is that it is the peak drug concentration that is really the driver for these developmental effects. It’s not the average, low-dose exposure you might have — it is high-dose peaks that are driving these types of responses.”
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level where developmental effects begin to occur in the animal data is 150 mg per 100 mls of blood, he said.
“Above that concentration in the blood, you start to see effects in animal toxicology studies,” Maier said. “Below that concentration, you don’t see effects. We are starting to see this boundary for the onset of effects. So, obviously, we want to make sure that the [human] exposures are maintained well below those types of concentrations.”
Scenarios Tested
A variety of different scenarios were evaluated that reflected topical application of the alcohol hand rubs under conditions representative of average use, high use, and maximal use for two different products. Maier looked at the BAC that would be predicted for the various scenarios and compared that to the threshold for safety in the animal toxicity studies.
“For example, for average use, basically the amount of exposure is 380 [times] lower than the concentration that would potentially cause adverse effects,” he said. “We have a margin of safety there of around 380-fold, which is a pretty large margin.
”
High use resulted in a BAC of 0.75, 200-fold less than the threshold for reproductive effects. Maximum use estimates of a BAC of 0.94 still fell within a wide margin of safety, 160 times less than the threshold of concern. Overall, the various scenarios of hand hygiene with alcohol rubs was 160 to 680 times lower than the threshold for developmental effects, he said.
Maier then contrasted those levels with ethanol alcohol in various fruits, noting that the average use of hand rubs over a healthcare shift resulted in an alcohol exposure equivalent to eating a ripe banana. In addition, the FDA defines drinks with no more than 0.5% of alcohol as nonalcoholic beverages, Maier said. The maximum use of alcohol rubs resulting in a BAC of 0.94 compares to one nonalcoholic beverage with a BAC of 1.20.
“The amount of ethanol blood concentration for hand sanitizers is pretty much similar to the low-dose exposures you would get from fruits,” he said. “In both cases, the margin between those BACs and the amount of concentration that might be associated with onset of developmental effects is quite large.
These can be considered safe by traditional FDA standards. Ethanol sanitizers are safe for their intended use as [hand] hygiene products.”
REFERENCES
- Food and Drug Administration. Safety and Effectiveness of Health Care Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Proposed Amendment of the Tentative Final Monograph; Reopening of Administrative Record. Fed Reg May 1, 2015: http://1.usa.gov/1SDshKy.
- Boyce JM, Polgreen PM, Monsalve M, et al. Frequency of Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs by Nurses: A Systematic Review. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:189–195.
Pregnant and breast-feeding healthcare workers appear to be well within safe exposure limits and can use alcohol-based hand rubs without risk to fetus or baby, a researcher reported recently.
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How to Wash Your Hands
Effective hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.
Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations.
If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,
- Sanitizers do notget rid of all types of germs.
- Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
- Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
How to use hand sanitizer:
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Want to Know More?
COVID-19 Pandemic: Stay Healthy While Pregnant
Flu During Pregnancy
8 Things About Household Cleaning During Pregnancy.
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House Cleaning During Pregnancy: Pros and Cons
It is not possible to give up household chores completely for nine months. From the point of view of doctors, cleaning during pregnancy plays a positive role. Moderate physical activity benefits the mother and fetus: improves blood circulation, helps keep muscles in good shape, reduce swelling and not gain extra pounds.
Home hygiene helps prevent bacterial and viral diseases. Carrying heavy buckets or climbing on window sills to clean windows is still not worth it. It is better to delegate these tasks to other family members or call a professional cleaner.
A woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy. Each trimester has its own characteristics. They should be taken into account when distributing loads during the cleaning process.
There are also a number of activities that are strictly prohibited for pregnant women:
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Climbing a ladder, stool, window sill and other “high-altitude” objects;
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Lift weights over 5 kg, especially in the early stages;
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Use prohibited household chemicals1;
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Clean up the litter box and garden because of the risk of toxoplasmosis;
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Make sudden movements: tilts, turns, squats;
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Exposing the body to physical stress for a long time, denying yourself rest.
Is it safe to use household chemicals
Cleaning products should be chosen carefully during pregnancy. It is better to give preference to natural cleaners: citric acid, soda, vinegar. However, household chemicals and pregnancy are also quite compatible things. The enhanced composition of store detergents allows you to get rid of germs, bacteria and mold. All household chemicals on the Russian market are subject to examination in terms of sanitary-chemical and toxicological indicators. If a drug has the potential to cause harm to a pregnant woman or unborn child, a warning label is displayed on the label.
During the first trimester, the baby's vital systems and organs are formed. To protect the fetus from the action of various toxins, the female body produces a special hormone - gonadotropin. Thanks to him, cleaning in early pregnancy can be accompanied by hypersensitivity to odors and toxicosis. To avoid "side" effects, gynecologists recommend using fragrance-free detergents.
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To combat pathogenic biofilm in the bathroom and toilet, powerful antibacterial agents like Domestos are indispensable. Sodium hypochlorite in its composition effectively kills germs and mold, keeping plumbing clean. All work must be carried out with rubber gloves and a respirator, and the premises themselves must be well ventilated;
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Even with the right organization of the entrance area, dirt and microbes brought on shoes from the street spread throughout the apartment. Glorix disinfectant will get rid of potentially dangerous microorganisms, dust and other contaminants. Washing floors should also be done with protective gloves;
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The kitchen seems to be one of the cleanest places in the house. However, high temperature, humidity, microdrops of fat and bacteria brought on the products create all the conditions for the growth of harmful microorganisms. Work surfaces should be cleaned regularly with Cif cleaning gels or sprays, and sponges and kitchen towels should be changed every couple of weeks;
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Lime scale, grease stains and other dirt can be removed with folk remedies.
Apply a slurry of soda powder to the surface and after a while wash it off with a solution of vinegar; -
Test on an inconspicuous area before applying detergent;
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Carefully read the instructions, precautions and contraindications on the cleaning agent bottle. Follow the indicated dosage;
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Never mix household chemicals. This can cause a reaction with the release of volatile chlorine - the strongest of household poisons;
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If your general condition worsens after cleaning, dizziness or nausea occurs during pregnancy, immediately inform your family and, if possible, consult a doctor.
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Replace your regular mop with a modern model with a longer handle and wringer;
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Water bucket on wheels makes cleaning a lot easier;
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Avoid bending over and putting pressure on your stomach. If you need to lean forward, bend your knees and gently stretch in the desired direction;
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Vacuuming should be carried out with slow, smooth movements, after opening the windows for ventilation;
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Many pregnant women find it easier to clean the floor by hand, gently kneeling or squatting;
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If you have frequent low back pain, ask your doctor for a special abdominal support bandage.
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It is forbidden to climb ladders, chairs and other high objects to avoid the risk of falling;
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It is strictly forbidden to lean out of the windows - entrust the washing of external surfaces to household members;
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Do not raise your hands above your head - for cleaning remote areas, you can purchase a special scraper or mini window mop with a long handle;
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Instead of aerosol detergents, it is better to use a citric acid solution.
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It is better to replace ordinary washing powder with a sulfate-free detergent without fragrances - this will reduce the risk of allergic reactions;
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Wet laundry becomes heavier - it is better to entrust it to your spouse;
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Remove clothes from the washer in small batches and leave to dry at height.
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Is it possible to wash floors during pregnancy
Washing floors and vacuuming during pregnancy is definitely possible.
However, there is no universal instruction for this type of cleaning - doctors recommend proceeding from well-being and working in the most comfortable position for no more than half an hour, after which take a 15-minute break.
The successful course of pregnancy and childbirth is the merit of progesterone. The same hormone weakens the natural immune barrier, makes ligaments and joints more mobile. Along with the growth of the abdomen, the center of gravity shifts - this creates an additional load on the back.
Is it possible to wash windows during pregnancy
Clean windows not only please the eye, but also provide the necessary insolation. Windows should be washed as they get dirty. On the first floors, dust settles on the glass faster. The same applies to houses adjacent to highways and industrial zones.
How to wash and iron during pregnancy
Doctors advise against hand washing during pregnancy. It is detrimental to the back, besides it takes a lot of strength.
If there is no choice, you should take the most comfortable position. Sit on a chair with a backrest, placing the basin with linen in front of you on a slight elevation.
Most modern materials do not need to be ironed. It is enough to dry things properly, and they can be worn. It is more convenient to align the folds and provide additional disinfection with a steam iron. For supporters of classic irons and ironing boards, doctors recommend doing all the work in a sitting position - this will help reduce the load on the legs and back, avoid swelling and varicose veins, and at the same time be less tired.
Cooking and washing dishes, as well as cleaning during pregnancy, should be done in a simplified manner. Get a comfortable chair to relieve stress on your back. Take frequent breaks and don't overwork yourself. Any household chores can wait - the main thing is your well-being and the health of the baby.
Which home cleaning products are effective against SARS-CoV-2?
April 13, 2022 11:59 Olga Muraya
Common cleaning products have proven effective in fighting virus particles.
As always, the main thing is not to overdo it.
Pictures
Scientists have found out which improvised means are best for removing coronavirus particles from household surfaces. In view of the onset of a new XE substrain, this information may again become extremely relevant.
Australian researchers tested whether common household cleaners can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces. This is one of the first studies to test common cleaning chemicals to decontaminate surfaces.
Experiments have shown that household cleaners, bleach and alcohol are very effective in removing SARS-CoV-2 virus particles from surfaces.
The pandemic has forced people to spend much more time at home than before, and seriously think about how to destroy the virus at home.
But few people know how to disinfect their home to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and do it safely for themselves and others.
To find a scientific way to solve this problem, the research team tested the ability of a number of cheap and readily available household cleaners to neutralize SARS-CoV-2.
Scientists analyzed the effectiveness of vinegar, bleach, dishwashing detergent and ethyl alcohol.
Their results showed that detergent, bleach, and alcohol were very effective at removing SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, while vinegar did not work at all.
Scientists have also determined the minimum concentration of household cleaning agent in water at which it remains effective against SARS-CoV-2.
It turned out that it was enough to simply add the same amount of detergent to water as for washing dishes (2 ml per 1 liter), then wipe the surface potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2 and let it dry.
As for bleach, you can add as little as 5 ml per 1 liter of water, and this solution is ideal for disinfecting surfaces in the bathroom.
Alcohol-based hand or surface disinfectants must contain more than 40% alcohol to be effective.
The study also tested whether products were more effective when mixed and found that there was no benefit.
In combination, some household disinfectants have been shown to reduce each other's effectiveness.
All "recipes" for virucidal solutions for the home are described in a study that was published in the scientific journal Viruses on March 29, 2022.
Recall that recently a new wave of concerns was caused by a hybrid variant of COVID-19, called XE.
XE is a combination of highly contagious (contagious) Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 (stealth Omicron) strains. It was first discovered in the UK in mid-January 2022.
Its spike protein comes from BA.2, which can be considered good news: Stealth Micron already accounts for half of all cases of coronavirus infection in Russia. This means that people who have been infected with it should receive some protection from XE as well.
Around 700 viral genomes have already been assigned to XE worldwide.
Based on current estimates from the UK, XE has a small (5-10%) transmission advantage over stealth omicron, making it the most transmitted omicron substrain identified to date.
Note that each time a new, more infectious strain appears, it has a chance of becoming dominant over time.
XE has not yet been assigned its own Greek letter. It is currently considered a variant of the "omicron" until scientists and physicians identify significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity. So far, researchers do not have such data.
Earlier, we wrote about how stealth-omicron differs from its "big brother", how dangerous hand disinfection during pregnancy, and also about the fact that antibodies do not always protect against re-infection with coronavirus.
More news from the world of science and medicine can be found in the sections "Science" and "Medicine" on the media platform "Looking".
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