The best way to prevent a coronavirus infection is to wash your hands with soap and water. When detergent and water are not available, public health experts say alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the best alternative.
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1. Hand Sanitizer Kills Germs but does not Clean Hands
Soap and water are the undisputed victors when it comes to controlling infections, but, oddly enough. They do not kill bacteria but kill them. The effectiveness of this duo is due to the handwashing mechanism. The action of rubbing and rubbing between the palms of the hands and creates fingers friction that breaks.
The structure of bacteria and loosens germs from your skin. So when you rinse your hands under running water, bugs go down the drain. On the other hand, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do kill germs on the skin, or at least almost all bacteria.
It is less effective at killing the germs. However, scientists suspect that the hand sanitizer does kill the coronavirus. Also, hand sanitizers don’t work as well if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy. They may not remove dangerous chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals like lead.
2. The Disinfectant is more Effective than Soap and Water in Certain Situations
Since handwashing — when done correctly — removes germs and dirt better, the hand sanitizer should, in most cases, uses as a backup for soap and water. The time to use the hand sanitizer is when you don’t have a clean water sink and towel at hand. However, using hand sanitizer as a first choice in this condition.
A little disinfectant when entering and leaving the room reduces the probability. It will introduce a dangerous virus or contract. It’s also an upright idea to use hand sanitizer when dealing with people who have a weakened immune system.
3. Not all Hand Sanitizer is Create
To kill most disease-causing germs. The recommends using it that contains at least 60% alcohol. If you use a lower percentage, it may not be as effective at killing many types of germs. So could slow down the development of bacteria rather than killing them directly.
When comparing products, you may find hand sanitizers that contain benzalkonium chloride instead of alcohol. The available evidence indicates that benzalkonium chloride is less effective against certain bacteria and viruses. Compared to alcohol-based disinfectants.
4. The Disinfection Technique is Important
It works best when used correctly. Apply the recommended amount in the palm of your hand and distribute the disinfectant evenly, particular attention to the fingertip. It is the part that touches more things.
Continue rubbing your hands with the disinfectant until your skin is dehydrated, which should take around 20 seconds. Alcohol is effective in killing viruses and most bacteria. But the problem we found is that people don’t use the right amount for the time required.
5. Cleaning Products are not a Thing for Hand Sanitizer
Disinfecting sprays and antibacterial wipes should not use as a substitute for hand sanitizer. Despite this, some people are using them for this purpose. A report released in early June revealed that about a third of adults participating in a recent survey performed. Cleaning products to try to avoid becoming infected with the coronavirus.
These practices include using bleach in food products, applying household cleansers, and disinfectants to the skin. Inhaling or ingesting cleaning products and disinfectants, all of which are dangerous practices.
6. Hand Sanitizer can be Dangerous
It can be toxic if swallowed, especially for children. Also, it can irritate the throat and cause gastrointestinal problems. And “intake even a small quantity” can cause alcohol poisoning in children, according to the FDA.
If you or your child swallows it, call the poison control center or a medical professional immediately. The hand sanitizer is also flammable. Also, the prevalence of fires caused by alcohol-based hand sanitizers is “very low.
They advise hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities to store it safely and away from ignition. The US Postal Service also imposes restrictions on shipments of alcohol-based hand sanitizer due to the risk of flammability.
7. Homemade Hand Sanitizer may be Ineffective
In this era of the pandemic, recipes for homemade hand sanitizer abound on the internet. Which regulates it, and it’s best to leave the production of germ-killing gels to professionals. If produced incorrectly, then it may be ineffective.
Skin burns caused by it. Also, adding alcohol to a bottle of alcohol-free hand sanitizer will not increase the potency of the sanitizer. The result is unlikely to be a useful product.