Does hand sanitizer kill viruses?

Hand washing has always been an important defense against bacteria and viruses. Bacteria and viruses can spread to us through things we touch. Now, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important to wash your hands with hand sanitizer regularly. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can survive on different surfaces for several hours or even days from a trusted source (depending on the material). The proper use of hand sanitizer to wash your hands can protect you from introducing various viruses into the respiratory tract by touching the contaminated surface and then touching your face.

This passage is going to talk about the following questions of hand sanitizer:

(1)Does hand sanitizer kill viruses?

(2)Hand sanitizer use and related

(3)How to wash your hands?

 

(1)Does hand sanitizer kill viruses?

CDC recommends washing hands with soap and hand sanitizer as much as possible, because washing hands will reduce the amount of various bacteria and chemicals on your hands. However, if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading bacteria to others. Based on data from many studies, guidelines have been developed for effective hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer in a community environment.

In some cases, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can quickly reduce the number of microorganisms on your hands, but hand sanitizer cannot eliminate all types of bacteria.

Therefore, the sterilization effect of hand sanitizer combined with soap is better.

 

(2)Hand sanitizer use and related

Bacteria are everywhere! They may encounter hands and objects in daily activities that make us feel uncomfortable. At critical moments, cleaning your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading bacteria to people around you.

There is an important difference between washing your hands with soap and water and using hand sanitizer. Soap and water can remove all kinds of bacteria on the hands, while disinfectants can kill some bacteria on the skin. Although alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of bacteria in many situations, they should be used under the right conditions. Compared with soap and water, soap and water are more effective in removing certain bacteria (such as Norovirus, Cryptosporidium and Clostridium difficile) and chemicals.

Hand sanitizer may not remove harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and heavy metals such as lead.

Hand sanitizer can reduce the content of various bacteria, pesticides and metals on the hands. Knowing when to clean your hands and which method to use will give you the best chance of preventing disease.

 

(3) How to wash your hands?

How to wash hands with soap and water?

Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold water), turn off the tap, and then apply soap.

Rub your hands with soap and soap to foam your hands. Make foam on the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Do you need a timer? Hummed the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Finally, rinse your hands with clean tap water. Dry naturally.

How to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash hands?

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%. Supervise young children's use of hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and nurseries. Put enough disinfectant on your hands to cover all surfaces. Rub your hands until you feel dry (this takes about 20 seconds). Do not rinse or wipe the hand sanitizer before it dries. If it is too fast, it may not be able to resist bacteria well.