One of the incredible ways to prevent coronavirus infection is to wash your hands properly utilising soap and water. But when these aren’t available, health experts recommend the use of hospital-grade hand sanitiser.
However, you may be wondering just how effective these products are when it comes to getting rid of dangerous pathogens. The following are several things you should know about hand sanitisers.
Hand sanitisers have the capacity to kill germs, but it doesn’t clean your hands.
Soap and water remain unbeatable when it comes to controlling the infection. However, believe it or not, soap and water do not kill germs, but they remove them. The effectiveness of soap and water comes from the process of handwashing.
The rubbing and scrubbing motion after applying soap causes friction which can break down bacteria’s structure and eradicates germs from your skin. When you rub your hands with water, you wash away those germs until they are sucked down the drain.
In contrast, alcohol-based sanitisers have the ability to kill germs on the skin (a majority of the germs anyway). Hand sanitisers are incredibly efficient at killing numerous bacteria, a majority of which cause diarrhea. In addition to that hand, sanitisers are able to kill the coronavirus as well.
But keep in mind that hand sanitisers do not work optimally if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy. It may not help eradicate harmful chemicals such as pesticides as well as metals.
Hand Sanitisers Are Superior to Soap and Water in Certain Conditions
When done correctly, handwashing is better at getting rid of germs and dirt. Hand sanitisers for the majority should be utilised as a backup to water and soap. The best time to use hand sanitisers is when you do not have access to a sink and some clean water, and a clean towel. Experts recommend that you use hand sanitisers as the first option in situations such as visiting a friend or loved one in a hospital.
A small squirt of hand sanitiser mitigates your likelihood of introducing a dangerous pathogen into your system or leaving with one. It is also an excellent idea to utilise hand sanitisers regularly when you interact with people who have compromised immune systems.
Not Every Hand Sanitiser Is Equal
To eradicate most disease-causing germs, experts recommend utilising hospital-grade hand sanitiser infused with at least 60% alcohol. Anything less than that may not work optimally in stopping a majority of germs; it merely reduces the growth of germs rather than eliminates them outright.
You may come across hand sanitisers that are chloride-based instead of alcohol-based. Keep in mind that experts do not recommend these products. It has less reliability against certain bacteria and viruses compared to alcohol-based sanitisers.
You must utilise hand sanitisers when you don’t have ready access to soap and water. It has the same effect and can get rid of germs in your hands, thus protecting your health. Hand sanitisers are also handy and can be placed in your bag, especially when you are in public areas and need to touch items and materials that may have bacteria and viruses on them.