Are hand sanitizers as effective as hand washing?

Are hand sanitizers as effective as hand washing?

Which is preferable: hand sanitizers or hand washing?

Long before scientists recognized the presence of germs, doctors in the mid-nineteenth century began to emphasize the need of hand washing, according to History. However, the extraordinary turn of events in 2020, which saw the introduction of the COVID-19 virus, resulted in additional rigorous health and safety laws, according to Queensland Health.

According to UNICEF, one of the most crucial laws was to routinely cleanse one's hands due to the nature of the virus and how it might enter the human system through mucus and bodily fluids. This created a bit of a quandary in that folks were unable to transport soap and water. To get around this, people began to rely primarily on hand sanitizers, which were the nearest option, according to Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Hand sanitizers have been used by health care professionals for years, and the general population has used them much before 2020. According to CNBC, one illustration of this is the consumer rush for hand sanitizer during the 2009 H1N1 swine flu outbreak. But, do these hand sanitizers do the same function as washing your hands?

Which is preferable: hand sanitizers or hand washing?

As an alternative to hand washing, hand sanitizers were developed. They were designed to destroy viruses due to their high alcohol level, according to Live Science. This does not, however, imply that it can totally replace the importance of hand washing in hygiene. According to Chemical & Engineering News, it was intended to be used just as a stopgap remedy, not as a permanent replacement for soap and water.

Even though the most effective hand sanitizers contain 60 percent alcohol, the CDC nevertheless emphasizes the need of hand washing since there are germs and bacteria that are eradicated faster by soap and water. Some are also resistant to hand sanitizer. Furthermore, according to Purdue News, some feel that the alcohol in hand sanitizers might strip the human skin of its natural barrier against infection.

Hand sanitizers can help remove germs and may even make the skin feel less dusty; but, a tube of hand sanitizer will not remove grease, oil, or other stains. According to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, this is a task for soap and water. Hand sanitizers might also be ineffective if not used correctly. According to UCI Health, this happens when too little alcohol is applied or when it is washed off before the alcohol entirely dries. Finally, while washing your hands isn't always an option, if you have access to soap and clean water, hand washing is preferable than using hand sanitizer.

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