Choosing an Effective Hand Sanitizer
Hand hygiene is an important response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water. If those aren’t available, using a hand sanitizer can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs.
Americans are having a hard time tracking hand sanitizer
down; however, the CDC doesn’t recommend that people make their own product, as
there’s a chance it could be ineffective or cause skin burns.
You may be tempted to buy whatever bottle you can get your hands on, but not all sanitizers are created equal. As an additional 1,500 companies are now making hand sanitizer, it’s important to know what to look for and be cautious about. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several hand sanitizers due to the potential presence of methanol, which is toxic when absorbed through skin or ingested. And as alcohol distillers have responded to the shortage by manufacturing sanitizer, be careful. There have been many reports of people drinking the product since it smells like drinking alcohol and is contained in beverage bottles.
When you’re browsing the store
shelves or searching online, pay attention to product labels for the following
signs of an effective hand sanitizer:
·
Most importantly, use a hand sanitizer that
contains at least 60% alcohol. If
possible, clean your hands first, as alcohol-based sanitizers are most
effective on hands that are not visibly dirty or greasy. Even rinsing hands with
water first will help the sanitizer do its job.
·
Check the ingredient list for denatured alcohol, which tastes
terrible compared to drinking alcohol. The taste is used to help deter
unintentional or intentional ingestion. The most common calls to poison control
calls are related to unintentional exposures in children 5 years old and
younger.
·
Likewise, choose fragrance-free or unscented because fragrances may be used to cover
the chemical smell.
Try to steer clear of hand
sanitizers that claim to help prevent COVID-19, as that hasn’t been proven yet.
When you’ve found a hand sanitizer that meets those standards, apply a dime-sized amount to dry, clean hands and rub your hands together until completely dry again.
Did you know that the foods you eat can affect your overall
stress? When left unchecked, chronic stress can increase your risk for
conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and anxiety. To make matters worse, when you’re stressed,
you may eat poorly, which can lead to a damaging cycle.
Consume a
magnesium-rich diet or take a supplement, if needed. Additionally, here are
some healthy, low-stress food options to consider:
·
Potassium-rich foods
·
Foods rich in vitamin C
·
Leafy-green vegetables
·
Whole-grain carbohydrates
· Fatty fish including salmon and tuna
·
Nuts such as pistachios, walnuts and almonds
If you’re thirsty, reach for water or milk instead of
caffeinated drinks. A warm cup of chamomile tea can also get those feel-good
hormones flowing.
How to Make Better Decisions
When Feeling Anxious
According to the American Psychological Association, 59% of
Americans reported that the coronavirus is seriously impacting their day-to-day
lives. When you have a lot of anxiety, it becomes tough to make reasonable
choices. That’s concerning, as many families are faced with high-stake
decisions during the pandemic—decisions involving health, livelihoods and
employment.
If you’re
feeling anxious, consider these techniques to make sound decisions:
·
Engage in a calming activity that makes you feel
good.
·
Charge up by eating healthy, sleeping enough and
exercising often.
·
Determine what you can (and can’t) control.
At the end of the day, everyone is making the best decisions
possible with the information at hand during the pandemic. Go easy on yourself.
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