Thousands of kids hospitalized for drinking hand sanitizer

A new CDC report warns 70,000 kids were reported to health officials after drinking hand sanitizer between 2011 and 2014
The worst reactions were seen in 8,000 kids aged five and under
Five children were comatose, three had seizures, two stopped breathing
Many more had eye irritation, vomiting, and skin rashes, the report warns

Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

Published:
10:20 EST, 6 March 2017

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Updated:
10:50 EST, 6 March 2017

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You may think hand sanitizers are essential to have in the house to keep your children germ-free.

But an alarming new report reveals a dangerous side: the last few years have seen thousands of under-12s hospitalized after drinking the toxic product.

More than 70,000 children were treated for injuries related to the alcohol-based gel between 2011 and 2014, according to new figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cases ranged from eye irritation and stomach pain to vomiting and comas.

A new CDC report warns 70,000 children were reported to health officials after drinking hand sanitizer between 2011 and 2014 (file image)

The report comes just months after a damning FDA ruling concluded hand sanitizers are no more useful than soap – and some of the alcohol-based ingredients could even be damaging for your skin.

Analyzing the new figures, CDC officials in the health and hazards department said the majority of children did not display adverse symptoms after drinking sanitizer.

However, 8,000 had to be treated for debilitating reactions.

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More than 90 percent of these severely affected children were under five years old.

Five children were sent into a coma, three had seizures, and two temporarily stopped breathing.

The report warns this should not be seen as a reason to stop using the product, since it does prevent germ-spread.

However, the authors caution parents to be vigilant about handing a whole bottle to their child.

‘Hand sanitizers are effective and inexpensive products that can reduce microorganisms on the skin, but ingestion or improper use can be associated with health risks,’ the authors write.

‘Many hand sanitizers contain up to 60 percent–95 percent ethanol or isopropyl alcohol by volume, and are often combined with scents that might be appealing to young children.’

They add: ‘Hand washing with plain soap and water is safe and effective and does not carry these associated risks.’