Antibacterial Gels: Risks, Safety & Potential Hazards

Question
Hi,
I hope I'm finding you in the best of health.
I saw places like Crabtree&Evelyn sell antibacterial gels that you can use
without water. You just put it on your hands on rub it in. It says on the bottle
if the gel goes in your mouth, contact poison center immediately. My question
is:If it's poisonous for the mouth, then once you apply it to your skin and eat
something, you still have it on your hands and may eat some of it[why would the
gel be leaving anywhere.It would stay on your hands].Why isn't it poisonous
now(after you apply it to your skin)?Is this type of product safe?How does it
work?Thank you.
Also, may I ask you questions concerning medical school?

Answer
Hi Jeff and thanks for writing,

I have not researched this, but it seems to me that the message is that if a significant amount of the gel was swallowed then it could pose a potential health risk which is why they put the warning label on the bottle; but you'd probably need to swallow almost a whole bottle to be at risk, and the tiny amount you could absorb off your hands is not considered dangerous (or they wouldn't sell it as a waterless hand soap).

I hope this helps,

Margot