Hand Sanitizers – Your Germ Protector
Hand washing is an important part of staying healthy, free of germs, and maintaining proper hygiene. However, with today's fast-paced lifestyle, washing hands with just water and liquid hand soap may not be viable without a sink nearby. That is precisely why hand sanitizers are necessary. When you're not near a sink, hand sanitizers are an "excellent" way to clean your hands, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), because:
- hand sanitizers work effectively.
- Hand Sanitizers stop bacteria from growing on your hands.
- When compared to soaps, Hand Sanitizers are gentler on the skin.
Let's take a closer look at each of the points raised above.
Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers
Hand sanitizers are found to clean your hands more efficiently than soap and water while also reducing the bacterial burden. According to studies, when you clean your hands with a hand sanitizer, they stay cleaner for longer than when you clean them with soap and water. The sanitizer also prevents bacteria from spreading from one person to another.
Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel
One myth regarding hand sanitizers that still circulates today is that using them will make bacteria resistant to treatment. However, because the process in which hand sanitizers function is dependent on the breakdown of cell membranes induced by the chemicals in the sanitizers, the bacteria cannot develop resistance to them. This has no negative effects on your health and keeps your hands clean.
Gentler than Soap
Soaps are created from chemicals that, if used excessively, can be harsh on the skin. The basic recipe for hand sanitizers, on the other hand, is better for the skin and much gentler than soap. People who used hand sanitizer had better skin than those who used soap or liquid hand wash and water, according to numerous studies conducted throughout the world.
Proper Usage to stay Healthy and Hygienic
While there are numerous advantages to using hand sanitizers, it is critical that you use them properly. When using a hand sanitizer , keep the following points in mind:
- Make sure your hands aren't covered with visible dirt before using the hand sanitizer.
- Apply the product to your entire palm and rub it in for 20–30 seconds.
- Apply the product between your fingers, beneath your nails, on your jewellery, along your wrists, and on the back of your hands while rubbing it in.
- After that, let your hands dry.
- You're ready to go after they've dried.
Here are a couple of don'ts to remember while using a hand sanitizer:
- After usage, do not wash your hands.
- Do not use a paper towel or a cotton towel to dry your palms.
This will contradict the hand sanitizer's effect by introducing bacteria from the tap or towels to your germ-free palms.
