Soap VS Hand Sanitizer: Which One Is Better?

Cleansing your hands is one of the best methods to stop the transmission of the coronavirus, which is the cause of COVID-19. It also helps to protect yourself from colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. It also helps to prevent foodborne diseases (such like salmonella) during cooking.

A study found that the average person touches their face an average of 23 times per hour.1 Hands come into contact with numerous germs as well, when touching your face you increase the chance of being sick. Cleaning your hands will help you and your loved ones remain well.

Lather Up the Right Way

Although hand washing may seem to be a simple task, there’s actually an appropriate way to go about it. Here are tips to wash your hands in a safe and effective manner:

Step 1. 

Clean your hands and wash them by running clean water.

Step 2.

Add soap and use your hands to make soap lather. Make sure you massage your hands, the backs of your hands between your fingers as well as under your fingernails.

Step 3. 

Hands should be washed for a minimum of 20 minutes. To have fun you can sing along while washing. You can sing the ABC song or do “Happy Birthday” twice or select your preferred song. *

Step 4. 

Wash your hands clean with water that is running.

Step 5. 

Dry your hands with an unclean towel. You can also dry them using air when you don’t have towels available. Do not rub them against your clothes, or you might make them dirty.

Step 6. 

Switch off the faucet using your elbow or the help of a paper towel.

A black-light experiment, as shown in the following video, demonstrates how effective hand washing is.

Washing your hands is also important.

Be sure to wash your hands after:

• After you have used the bathroom,
• Prior to eating, it is important to
• In the process of making food
• After taking care of an individual who is sick
• After changing the diaper of a child
• After cleaning or handling trash, it is time to dispose of it
• Following blowing out your nose, coughing, or sneezing, you may be able to feel
• After touching frequent objects, this includes computers and phones, particularly in public spaces

Choose the Right-Hand Sanitizer

If you’re unable to clean the hands of your children, then aerosol hand sanitizers are the next best thing to use for you if you choose the right type. 

Hand sanitizers must have the perfect mix of alcohol and force. Choose a hand sanitizer that contains:

• At minimum 60% ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) or
• At minimum 70% isopropyl Alcohol (isopropanol)

Hand Sanitizer Warnings and Recalls

Avoid hand sanitizers containing 1-propanol or Methanol (a dangerous kind that is a form of alcohol made from wood). 1-propanol and 1-propanol should never be used on the skin. 

A variety of toxic hand sanitizers are on the market in response to the increased demand created by the coronavirus outbreak. It is reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a cautionary statement regarding several brands of dangerous hand soaps. 

Certain products have been discovered to contain 1-propanol and methanol however, they are labeled with the word “ethanol. Certain products are subject to recall from the companies that manufacture them. 

The FDA website contains an alert list of hand sanitizers that you should avoid.

Methanol may cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting blurred vision seizures. 1-propanol is known to cause confusion, confusion, and a slowing of breathing or pulse. It is important to report any response to FDA.

Other Safety Tips for Hand Sanitizer Use

• Be sure to keep in mind these other security tips:
• Watch children closely when they are using hand soap.
• All hand sanitizers are dangerous if consumed.
• Do not store hand sanitizer at high temperatures (like in your vehicle).
• Avoid using wipes that contain surface disinfectants to wash your hands or any other area or body part. They can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Cleanse your hands after you use them to clean your surfaces.

Protect Your Skin

Hand-washing and sanitizing may cause damage to your hands, particularly when you suffer from Atopic Dermatitis (eczema). Avoid using harsh antiseptic soaps. When you have cleaned your hands, rub dry. Do not rub your skin. Apply a moisturizer to your hands. Use gloves while cleaning your hands to guard them against harmful chemicals.

Hand washing is a good practice for stopping the spread of coronavirus virus and other infections. But it’s not enough. Combining it together with the physical (social) distancing, and wearing a mask to limit the spread of this new coronavirus.