Parents Beware, Children are getting Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitizer ...

In the last month, three cases of children and infants were treated in the ophthalmology department at Shaare Zedek Hospital due to the use of alcohol gel hand sanitizer, one mild, the second moderate and the last severe.

YS is a 4-year-old boy who was seriously injured after a large amount of hand sanitizer was sprayed into his left eye while he was in daycare. He was rushed to the emergency room at Shaare Zedek, where a severe injury to the cornea was identified, which almost led to blindness. The child was anesthetized for thorough rinsing and cleaning of the eye. After 10 days he was released and is now under surveillance. Fortunately, his vision is not impaired.

"The alcohol in household disinfectants kills viruses in the same manner that it destroys other cells," says Dr. Yishai Weil, a senior ophthalmologist in the corneal unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. "When the substance hits the outside of the eye, it destructs proteins and cells, and as a result of severe inflammation in the eye or infection, the damage can lead to blindness. In addition, damage to the corneal stem cells can cause blood vessel growth and severe damage to vision."

It's important to note that when we place hand sanitizer at home at a comfortable height for washing an adult's hands, it is more or less at the height of the child's head. Therefore, when a child goes to disinfect his hands he risks spilling the sanitizing agent over himself and especially in his eyes. The risk to the eye in such a direct injury is extremely great.

In order to avoid this type of injury, it is necessary to increase awareness among parents that hand sanitizers should be kept out of the reach of children to the same extent that detergents are kept away from them. Dr. Weil advises parents, "Purchase hand sanitizer with a mouth that faces down-ward. This way, even if the alcohol gel spills, it will reach hit the floor and not the child's face."

Prompt and correct management of chemical damage to the eyes in general, can make the difference between a child who recovers unharmed and a patient who loses vision. Dr. Weil recommends that if a child near you is exposed to a chemical in his eyes, rinse them thoroughly with tap water for at least 20 minutes, before evacuating to the emergency room.

©ShemeshOnline
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