The Benefits of Hand Sanitizers During a Pandemic

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Today, the world is in shambles over the COVID-19 pandemic as it has cost thousands of lives across the globe. But there are ways you can protect yourself from the coronavirus. Proper hygiene is one of the best methods to protect yourself from getting infected. Aside from hand washing, hand sanitizers can help clean your hands. Let’s learn why hand sanitizers are important during this pandemic.

Benefits of Hand Sanitizers
Handwashing is important to reduce germ transmission. But there are moments when we cannot find access to soap and water. With the effectiveness of hand sanitizers to disinfect ourselves, they are now found in the entrances of establishments.

Reduces the Risk of Transmission
According to statistics, 1 out of 5 people does not regularly wash their hands. 3 of those who wash their hands do not use soap. Thus, the presence of hand sanitizers in key areas, like airports, public bathrooms, and offices, can help people clean their hands and kill harmful bacteria.

There are several studies conducted that claim that hand sanitizers have decreased the risk of spreading diseases. It has mostly helped those families who suffer from gastrointestinal infection and respiratory infection. Moreover, schools have presented their data. It shows that classrooms with hand sanitizers reduce student absenteeism.

Moisturizes the Skin
The routine of handwashing removes oils on our skin leading to dryness. Hand sanitizers are commercially prepared and have ingredients that help with skin dryness while fighting off germs. They have antioxidant and organic-formulated ingredients to soothe the skin cells.

Portability
Sometimes, we want to do things quickly which is why we do not practice good hand hygiene. Hand sanitizers are convenient to use as they are easy to use and portable. You can bring them anywhere to sanitize your hands. They are convenient, especially when you are outside the house without water and soap available for handwashing.

Reduces Waste
Some people use extra precaution by using paper towels or gloves to groceries, opening doors or touching something unsterile. More so, when these precautions are not properly used, this will lead to cross-contamination. Thus, using hand sanitizers after work, groceries, and doing chores will not only help reduce the chances of getting infected but also help in controlling waste.

When to sanitize your hands?
In the context of preventive measures for COVID-19, it is important to wash your hands and use hand sanitizers during the following situations:

• Before and after you eat a meal.
• Before, during, and after you nurse a sick person.
• After you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose.
• After you visit a public place.
• After touching surfaces outside the house.

For us to avoid catching the coronavirus, sanitization is the best prevention. If you cough or sneeze with people nearby, practice cough etiquette, and wash or sanitize your hands with hand sanitizers.

When you get home from grocery shopping, sanitize the clothes and shoes you use. Disinfect your home from time to time, as your movements from the outside will bring microorganisms to your home.

How much sanitizer should you use?
When using hand sanitizers, it is advised to only use a small amount. Thus, to effectively apply the hand sanitizer, only pour a thumb-sized amount on the palm of your hands and rub them thoroughly. Do not forget to include nail beds. You will know if you used enough sanitizer as it will take more than 15 seconds to dry on your hands.

However, before you use or purchase a hand sanitizer, make sure to check its active ingredients. The type of alcohol content should be isopropanol, ethyl alcohol, or ethanol. More so, be attentive to the alcohol concentration, it should be between 60 percent to 95 percent. Alcohol content that is less than 60 percent is not effective for killing microorganisms.

Handwashing vs. Hand Sanitizers

Source: Pixabay

The body parts that most in contact with surfaces, people, and ourselves are our hands. We need to keep them clean to prevent the spread of disease-carrying germs. With handwashing and hand sanitizers, we are already limiting the transmission of germs.

Hand sanitizers are stapled in bags and purses making them always accessible. You can immediately sanitize your hands in the absence of water and soap.

Most hand sanitizers are effective in neutralizing viruses and bacteria, but not all. Also, some have residues making them uncomfortable. Hand sanitizers are more expensive than hand soap. That us why it is best to check the quality of the hand sanitizer first.

Meanwhile, hand washing effectively kills and removes viruses from your hands. It can thoroughly remove debris and dirt on the skin by physically rubbing and rinsing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  As much as possible, washing hands with water and soap is recommended to ensure that all areas of the hands and wrists are clean.

When correctly used, handwashing and hand sanitizers are both good hand hygiene practices. They are both effective at killing pathogens, bacteria, and germs. But, when it is not convenient to wash your hands, such as in public places like grocery stores and banks, having a hand sanitizer is the most convenient option.

Final Thought

The COVID-19 pandemic has given stress to every aspect of our lives. Regular hand washing and hand sanitizers have a great role in preventing coronavirus. Proper hand hygiene with a hand sanitizer has several benefits - it reduces transmission, moisturizes the skin, and you can bring it anywhere. Keep yourself protected!

This is a guest blog entry.