Washing hands for 30 seconds kills most germs

December 30, 2007 at 2:00a.m.

Q. My wife washes her hands like she is going to do surgery. She says it takes 30 seconds to get rid of germs. I wash my hands for about three seconds. I don’t see any advantage in wasting a lot more time. What do you think?

A. Your wife is right. It takes about 30 seconds of vigorous scrubbing and rinsing to wash off most germs. If everyone followed your wife’s good example, there’d be fewer colds passed around each year.

Q. My doctor prescribed Toprol-XL several years ago, and it worked well. Last week, my pharmacist refilled my prescription with generic metoprolol succinate. Two days later, my blood pressure shot sky-high to 190/100.

Luckily, I found some leftover pills of the brand name Toprol-XL. My blood pressure came down to 140/90 — high but OK.

Is there a problem with this new generic? This has never happened to me before.

A. Toprol-XL (metoprolol) is a slow-release beta blocker prescribed to control high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. Many other readers have reported rapid heart rate and higher blood pressure after switching to some generic forms of metoprolol succinate.

One patient experienced pounding headaches with blood pressure of 225/125 after one week on metoprolol. Another wrote, “I have bouts of ultra-fast heartbeats, atrial fibrillation and severe premature ventricular contractions which have been controlled with Toprol-XL for years. On the generic, it is as if I’m not taking anything.”

We urge anyone having a problem with a generic drug to discuss the problem with the prescriber. The Food and Drug Administration insists that all generic drugs are equivalent, but our readers describe varied reactions. To read their reports visit www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I enjoy using my outdoor hot tub in the winter, but I get an itchy rash on my legs. I think it is eczema. How can I continue to enjoy my spa?

A. You may have “hot tub folliculitis.” This rash may be caused by pseudomonas bacteria that grow in hot tubs that are not properly maintained (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, October 2007). Check with your dermatologist to see whether you need an antibiotic.

Q. What do you know about compounded testosterone cream? I am a 64-year-old woman with a very low libido.

A friend of a friend uses this cream before sex, applying it to the inner thighs. She has great results with desire and orgasms, but my gynecologist says it is not FDA-approved and won’t prescribe it.

A. Low testosterone levels in men or women are associated with diminished sexual interest, arousal and enjoyment. Some small studies suggest that testosterone therapy may boost libido, even in women (Menopause, May-June 2006). Too much of this male hormone can cause facial-hair growth, acne, deepening of the voice and clitoral enlargement.

Your doctor is correct that the FDA has not approved testosterone for improving women’s sex drive. Nevertheless, a physician who specializes in sexual medicine may be able to assist you.

We are sending you our Guides to Female Sexuality and Treating Sexual Dysfunction for more information on the benefits and risks of testosterone to counter low libido.

X In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.