Handwashing?

[Raven01]

You are likely right. Just remember you are talking to a guy that won't use newspaper due to the chems in the ink.
Never mind that thousands of others do so safely.

On the whether or not it is effective thing, just check the label and make sure the isopropyl alcohol is above 60%. Otherwise it is useless. And the alcohol despite being pretty toxic does evaporate pretty quickly so, if your hands aren't damp you critters should be 100% safe.

I tend to be critical in my thinking and had no intention of suggesting you are likely to harm your animals. I was just thinking of younger kids with new BP's and an excitement level that hard for us to reach, grabbing snakes with hands still covered in the stuff.

[Burzurk]

I always just use hand sanitizer before and after I handle my snakes

[Daybreaker]

I wouldn't trust hand sanitizer at all.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/...er-recall.html

If it is being recalled for being contaminated with bacteria how effective can it be at killing bacteria?
Also, the residual alcohol means you have to wait for your hands to completely dry so you do not expose your herp's to isopropyl alcohol.

I don't use that kind (I use Germ-X brand here in the US) and always make sure the sanitizer drys before handling any snakes. Haven't had any problems.

[Marrissa]

I'm no germophobe. I will wash my hands before I eat and will wash them before handling Allure if I've been out or have been cleaning with chemicals or something. Other than that I don't run to wash my hands after handling him. He's probably a lot cleaner than horses since they roll in dirt and poo and such. I used to be a germophobe but got over that quick with horses. When at shows, helping with lessons, doing camps, etc you muck poo, get covered in dirt and dust, inhale dust, get covered in horse hair and sweat. When you're at shows and riding or helping out you gotta eat on the go.

I could definitely see sanitizing between handling different snakes though. I would also think that soap kills just as many good bacteria on our skin as bad. We naturally have a lot of bacteria on us at all times. You're actually supposed to get rid of your shower sponges/scrubs weekly because of all the bacteria on us. I'm definetly an advocate of washing your hands before you eat. That is what I'm particular about. I find it interesting that people are so particular about handwashing after snakes but not dogs/cats/fish, etc.

[AngelOtter]

I wash my hands between each animal, not because of salmonella, but just so I don't transfer anything animal to animal.

[Dracoluna]

Honestly, I only sanitize after cleaning a tub or handling any quarantined animals. Other than that, I don't worry about it. My stepdaughters on the other hand wash and sanitize after handling anyone from my snakes to my beardie.Kids are more susceptible to salmonella than adults are and I'm not going to take chances where they are concerned.

[SylverTears]

I wash my hands EVERYTIME I handle any snake, lizard, etc, before I eat ANYTHING, after I go to the bathroom, even after touching something that has been in a snake's cage. I am kind of a germophoic though. Well maybe more then kinda..

[Rob]

(i use germ-x brand here in the us).

x 2

[kitedemon]

I usually wash my hands before and after handling often use a hand sanitizer product (usually F10 hand gel) between each snake as well, much of this is to keep them safer rather than myself.

A side thought on hand sanitizers, like most most disenfecting prioducts, they are often used incorrectly. Your hands must be clean before use. To be effective your hands must be wet with the product for 30 seconds. It often requires one pump and then a second before the first dries. I have worked shows and most people get a blob and run shaking dry in under 10 seconds. Never even coming close to 30, this is pointless.


http://www.ext.colostate.edu/safefoo...r/v8n3s06.html
http://www.cambridgemontessori.org/s...dsanitizer.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy732

OP I am not fanitical about hand washing unless there is poo/pee involved. The only time I am is actually with dogs, you have a higher chance of contacting fecal material in a dogs fur than a snake.

[33rpm]

Before & after handling. Before & after cage maintenance. Soap, water, Purell hand sanitizer.