Effectiveness of hand sanitizers in the prevention of COVID-19 and related public health concerns: A review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a severe threat to public health, resulting in high levels of mortality and morbidity. In response, there has been a significant usage of hand sanitizers in homes, public places, and healthcare systems. In the global panic, the market has a variety of products, and there are serious concerns about the safety and the potential of hand sanitization as the blue bullet for COVID-19. Therefore, this article presents a critical review of types of hand sanitizers available on the market, their active ingredients coupled with their mode of action in the wake of antiviral efficacies. In addition, the adoption of a culture of hand sanitization by society could raise the demand for hand sanitizers for an extended period. The continuous use of hand sanitizers might pose some safety concerns. Consequently, the review articulates potential dangers associated with hand sanitizer used to equip suppliers and manufacturers with knowledge on the safety of different ingredients and formulations, hence safeguarding the final users.Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.