Hand Sanitizer or Soap, Which is Most Effective in Killing Corona Virus?

Good Doctor – Apart from masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are now also the most sought-after health items. The price of both has jumped dramatically. Then is hand sanitizer really effective in killing the coronavirus?

Alcohol hand sanitizers have been widely used as disinfectants compared to hand washing with soap and water. Easy availability, no water required and effectiveness in reducing the number of bacteria are the reasons people prefer using hand sanitizers.

What are the ingredients in hand sanitizer?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, foam or gel, and antiseptics used for surgery. WHO states that alcohol-containing materials are designed to suppress bacterial growth for a period of time. Their use is limited to hands only.

This hand sanitizer can also reduce the number of bacteria quickly under certain conditions, but it does not kill all types of germs.  Using a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer can prevent the spread of bacteria to others. 

Which is more effective at killing viruses, hand sanitizer or soap with water?

Although hand sanitizers can reduce the number of bacteria quickly, the fact is that the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands with soap and water at any time. This is because it can reduce the amount of bacteria and chemicals on the hands.  

Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizer at killing germs such as Cryptosporidium, norovirus and Clostridium difficile. These germs are the cause of diarrhea.

According to the CDC, hand sanitizer can effectively inactivate most types of microbes when used appropriately, but people may not be using enough hand sanitizer to get the most out of it.

For example, when hands are oily from handling food, playing football, working in the garden, going fishing or camping, hand sanitizer cannot work properly. In these conditions it is more advisable to wash your hands using soap.

When is the right time to use hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer is used before and after visiting a hospitalized friend or relative, preferably with soap and water.

Avoid touching unnecessary objects and pay attention to objects touched such as door handles and support poles in the bus. Also avoid touching your face with your hands.  

When handwashing with soap and water, keep these things in mind!

Viruses need a host to reproduce, so you should avoid touching your eyes, mouth or wounds if your hands are not clean.

If you choose to use soap instead of hand sanitizer, here are the guidelines for proper hand washing.

1. Wet hands with water, wash both hands thoroughly, between the fingers and nails on one hand followed by the other. 
2. Washing both hands thoroughly under running water for 20 seconds is one way to kill the virus. 
3. Dry both hands with a disposable towel and then use the towel to turn off the water tap before throwing it in the trash. 

To date, there is no cure for COVID-19.

A proven effective way to prevent COVID-19 transmission is to avoid touching your face before washing your hands.

Wash your hands with soap and running water for 20 seconds to remove germs or viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, that are exposed on your hands.

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