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Scientists found that hand sanitizers may do more harm than good. They also found that the alcohol-based, scented product may tempt young children to swallow the substance, which may lead to serious consequences such as stomach pains, nausea and coma. In their report it showed that children tend to put hand sanitizer into their mouths, nose, eyes, and other places hand sanitizer isn't supposed to go.

A team of researchers from the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) have found evidence of hand sanitizer's serious consequences. It included apnea, acidosis and coma ina young children who swallowed the substance.

The researchers used data reported by the National Poison Data System, which includes reports from poison centers among children in the US aged 12-years-old during 2011 to 2014. They have analyzed and characterized pediatric alcohol hand sanitizer exposures. The study found that majority of intentional exposures to alcohol hand sanitizers occurred in more than 15,000 children aging 6 to 12-years-old every year according to Forbes.

In 2011-2014, a total of 70,669 were reported to have had hand sanitizer exposures aged 12 years, wherein 65,293 or 92 percent were alcohol exposures of kids under 6 years of age and 5,376 or 8 percent were non-alcohol exposures.

Data also showed that exposures occur less during summer months. Researchers said that the reason for this seasonal trend is unknown but possibility may be associated with flu season or more ready access to hand sanitizers during the school year according to The Economic Times.

Researchers strongly recommend hand washing with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizers. They hope to increase awareness of the potential dangers associated with intentional or unintentional ingestion of alcohol hand sanitizers in children.

The researchers also strongly suggest that caregivers and health care providers need and should be aware of the potential risks and dangers associated with improper use of hand sanitizer products among children. There is a strong need to use proper safety precautions to protect children.