What Is the Best Substance for Hand Washing?

In most cases, follow these steps to properly wash your hands.

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply enough soap to cover wet hands.
• For at least 20 seconds, scrub all surfaces of the hand, including back of the hand, between the fingers, and under the nails.
• Rinse hands under running water.
• Dry hands thoroughly.
• If you don't have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it in your hands for at least 20 seconds.

If performed correctly, handwashing with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer will destroy the majority of germs andviruses. You can wash your hands with either warm or room temperature water.

There is no set frequency on how many times you must wash your hands. It is usually determined by your day-to-day activities such as:

• Before eating or cooking
• After using the restroom
• Before and after contact with someone who is ill
• Before injection or venipuncture
• Before and after routine use of gloves
• After handling any instrument or piece of equipment that has been soiled with blood or bodily fluids

Some people wash their hands excessively, which may pose a problem. Our hands are not intended to be sterile at all times. Some amount of bacteria on the skin is natural, and experts say it is probably healthy, protecting your skin folds and skin surface fromfungal infections. Unless you're a surgeon preparing for surgery, use general hand washing guidelines.

Excessive hand washing, even with light soap, can cause skin damage, resulting in worsened wounds and cracks that can harbor bacteria. Skin that is dry and damaged can spread germs more easily because it flakes off and carries germs.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causesCOVID-19and other respiratory viruses, is easily transmitted through droplets frombreathing,coughing, andsneezing. Because our hands come into contact with so many different surfaces, they can pick up microbes, including viruses. Pathogens can then infect the body by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated hands.

SARS-CoV-2 has an envelope made of a fat-like substance that is insoluble in water. Hand washing with running water and soap is usually the first line of defense against its spread.

There are two methods for reducing the number of microbes on your hands:

• The first one is using soap and running water and properly scrubbing all surfaces of your hands, including the gaps between the fingers, near the nail beds, and the tip of all fingers for at least 20 seconds.
• The second strategy is using alcohol-based sanitizers and rubbing them properly over all the surfaces mentioned above. Allow the alcohol to evaporate on its own.

Thorough handwashing with soap is always more desirable than using alcohol-based sanitizers.