Soap and sanitizer will only kill coronavirus if used correctly, says this American expert

A 20 to 30 seconds handwash is a must if you want to prevent coronavirus. Learn how exactly you should wash your hands to beat coronavirus.
washing hands
Washing hands is most important - not just as a safety measure amid the pandemic, but also before you take the home test! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
ANI Updated: 12 May 2021, 00:30 am IST
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Coronavirus scare is rampantly engulfing people around the globe. But thankfully people are not leaving any stone unturned to protect themselves from this deadly virus. Government is also issuing advisories on how people can prevent themselves from COVID-19. 

But amid all this people are also getting confused about what to use and what not. In fact, people are unable to decide whether sanitizer will keep the germs away or the good old soap will do the trick. 

Don’t stress. Just read what experts have to say.
 
Antibacterial soaps are any day better, suggest experts
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, health-specialists have been emphasising upon the importance of keeping your hands germ-free, either through the use of soaps or hand sanitisers.

coronavirus
Washing hands properly is the key when it comes to prevention from coronavirus. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The New York Post talked to Dr Nahid Bhadelia from Boston Medical Center, about the effectiveness, appropriate usage and correct choice of hand cleaning products that provide protection against COVID-19.

Dr Bhadelia said that “from what we know about this coronavirus, it’s similar to SARS and MERS, so it should not be that difficult of a microorganism to kill,” therefore “soap and water, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, can kill it.”

Meticulous hand washing is your best bet to get rid of the grime that clings to the hand, that might harbour nasty pathogens, including the coronavirus.

Clean hands are “also going to protect you from other infectious diseases, too, like the flu and diarrheal diseases,” said Dr Bhadelia to New York Post.

According to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there isn’t enough scientific evidence available to suggest that antibacterial soaps are any better than their normal counterparts for disease prevention.

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The New York Post suggests that, in situations where washing your hands is not possible, wipes and hand sanitizer can prove to be useful in eliminating dangerous microorganisms.

The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hand sanitisers with a minimum of 60% alcohol content are the best choice.

Use soap or sanitizer correctly to remove germs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests using clean running water of any temperature to wet the hands before applying the soap.

The hands then must be thoroughly scrubbed, making sure that the backside, the place between the fingers and the underside of nails are not left out.

The lathering process must be carried out for a span of 20 seconds minimum, after which the hands should be dried out with a clean towel or an air dryer.

Soap or sanitizers are of no use if not used correctly, warned Dr Bhadelia.

So, the bottom line is that you can either pick soap or sanitizer but the trick lies in its usage.

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