my question is whether it is permissible to use a hand sanitizer which has ethyl alcohol in it? My doctor recomends that I use it. (However it is not a necessity.)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

It is permissible for one to use hand sanitizer which contains ethyl alcohol. 

(Ahsan ul-Fatawa, 8/ 483-490, Saeed)

(Fatawa Mahmoodiya, 18/ 183, Farooqiyah)

And Allah knows best

Wassalaamu `alaykum

Ml. Sajid bin Shabbir,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa