Can hand sanitizer really intoxicate your child?

With flu season upon us, many parents are relying on hand sanitizer to combat germs. As the use of hand sanitizer mounts, so do stories of children becoming ill after ingesting it.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has confirmed that this is a potential hazard and not a myth. Most hand sanitizers have a concentration of at least 60 percent alcohol. The high level of alcohol is necessary to kill germs, but swallowing a few squirts could bring a child's blood alcohol level to .10.

Since hand sanitizer absorbs quickly once it's applied to skin, the amount a child can lick off his hands will not likely be harmful. According to the Texas Poison Center Network, the average 2-year-old "would have to drink approximately 4-5 teaspoons of the sanitizer to produce toxic effects requiring medical attention." Still, a curious child might be tempted by a colorful gel or scent, and drink directly from the bottle. This has been the cause of poisoning in extremely rare cases.

So what's a concerned parent to do? Washing hands the old-fashioned way - with soap and water - is still the best way to kill germs. However, there's no need to dismiss the benefits of hand sanitizer: It's great on-the-go when hand-washing is not an option, and it helps prevent the spread of germs. As long as you monitor your child's use of hand sanitizer, accidental ingestion can be avoided. Keep hand sanitizer in a secure place that's well out of reach of children.

UPDATE -- Nov. 10: To clarify, the type of alcohol found in hand sanitizer (ethyl alcohol) can affect blood alcohol levels, but won't actually make you drunk like vodka or whiskey would. However, ingesting hand sanitizer can raise your blood alcohol level and make you feel sick. Hand sanitizer does have the ability to "intoxicate" children, in the sense that they can potentially ingest toxins to the point of physical harm.