EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- If you use a lot of hand sanitizers, you're going to want to see this. Scientists now say using them too much could be creating super germs; germs far worse than those you're intentionally trying to kill.
It's common to see hand sanitizers in public buildings, schools and in the workplace. But a researcher I spoke with says as the use of these products goes up, their effectiveness in combating germs goes down.
"The average person touches their face every three to five minutes, in between touching water fountains, door knobs, and each other."
It's a growing fear that's even been made into a recent movie. The threat of a new super virus or bacteria that can't be cured or contained.
"On day one, there were two people, and then four, and then 16. In three months, it's a billion."
They're commonly referred to as "super germs."
"A germ that is resistant to a number of products, both disinfectants and antibiotics."
Dr. Richard Wallace is the chairman of the microbiology department at UT Health Science Center. He says these super germs aren't as futuristic as people might think.
"We've had them ever since we've introduced antiseptics and antibiotics."
And that was in the 40's.
"If we didn't have the pharmaceutical companies constantly turning out these new products, we would be in trouble."
In other words, Dr. Wallace says, we're staying one step ahead of the germs.
"We work hard every year getting new vaccines that catch up with the new strains."
But Dr. Wallace says when it comes to sanitizing products, we may be over doing it.
"It's the use or overuse of both topical disinfectants and antibiotics that contribute to making a super germ."
"I'm a cleaner. I do love to clean and I love all the cleaning products. So, I'm always trying to find the newest best thing that kills the most germs.
Carol Foley has two young children.
She says keeping a clean house is important for her family's safety.
"I do have little gels and things for when the kids may not wash as well as they should. Of course, the soaps are all antibacterial by the sinks."
And her children seem to have picked up on her cleaning habits.
"You've got to wash your hands every time you cough or blow your nose because you can spread germs really easily by touching things."
But Dr. Wallace says overuse of antibacterial products has a negative effect.
"As the use of antibiotics goes up in tons, the resistance of the germs that we're around go up almost equally as high. You stop using those antibiotics and just use them very judiciously, and the resistance in those germs comes down."
Dr. Wallace says it's important to know when to use antibacterial products, and when not to.
"There are circumstances where using a disinfectant like alcohol is important... around beef because it could have E. Coli in it, chicken because it can have what's called salmonella in it."
So, when you prepare your meat on the countertop, you should disinfect everything.
It's the routine in Foley's kitchen.
"Now, we're going to wash again because I've touched the meat."
Dr. Wallace says hand washing, especially with regular soaps, does not have a negative effect and he encourages it.
"It can be helpful. Remember, longer is better."
As for antibacterial products.
"Recognize that there are situations with high risks, basically with meats, and situations where it's low risk. And those should help you decide when to use these disinfectants."
Regarding the use of soaps that aren't antibacterial, Dr. Wallace says most people spend less than 15 seconds washing their hands. But in order to remove any kind of bacteria from them, you have to wash your hands for 30 seconds or longer.
Another suggestion: wearing gloves in the kitchen can help prevent the spreading of germs. But those gloves and towels can also become contaminated, and have to be washed.
