The more often we disinfect our hands, the better? Not necessarily

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Hand washing is one of the main ways to reduce the spread of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. However, is frequent hand disinfection advisable? When might it not be fully effective? When can we give up disinfection, and when is it better not to, and why? We explain.

1. Hand washing is the simplest and one of the most effective methods of reducing the risk of many diseases, including COVID-19
2. We only use disinfectants when we cannot wash our hands with warm water and soap
3. It is advisable to disinfect your hands every time you touch the surface. “If we do not touch anything in a given store, we do not have to use the disinfectant again” – explains Dr. Dzie citkowski
4. If we are unable to wash or disinfect our hands, let us refrain from touching our face
5. You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page

Washing and disinfecting hands reduces the risk of coronavirus infection?

Washing hands is the simplest and one of the most effective methods of preventing SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, but also food poisoning, influenza and parasitic diseases.

One of the main principles by which we can protect ourselves and others against COVID-19 infection, the World Health Organization mentions hand hygiene: regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based agent kills viruses that may be on the hands, says WHO .

«The best way to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the risk of it is by washing your hands with plain soap and water. It is essential to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent. alcohol »- we read in the US Food and Drug Administration’s guide on hand hygiene in the era of the coronavirus epidemic.

So remember, we only use disinfectants when we cannot wash our hands with warm water and soap.

Can frequent hand disinfection be harmful?

However, when protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection, we must not go to extremes. Disinfecting your hands too often can harm them. When exposed to frequent effects of drying alcohol, the delicate skin of the hands may crack and become irritated, which may result in an infection. There may also be a burning sensation or itching.

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– Hand sanitization is best done with soap and water, because while disinfectants work perfectly, they contain 60 – 70 percent. alcohol that has a drying effect on the skin. If the skin is not moisturized after such treatment, it may crack, irritation and a feeling of burning or itching may appear – confirms the virologist Tomasz Dzieścitkowski. – Therefore, it is most advisable to use soapy water – the soap will inactivate the potential coronavirus but will not irritate the skin – he explains, adding: – The problem is also that many stores offer lotions without glycerol, which has a moisturizing effect on the skin.

Therefore, it is worth remembering that after washing or disinfecting hands, use a moisturizing cream if possible – it will protect the water-lipid coat of the hand skin, which has a protective function.

When is hand disinfection not necessary?

When we go to a shopping mall, for example, many of us have probably wondered if we should sanitize our hands every time we enter the next store? After all, there is a container with disinfectant liquid at every entrance. We asked dr. Tomasz Dzieciątowski. His answer is: it is not necessary. Why?

— If we don’t touch anything in a given store, we don’t have to re-use the disinfectant. Hand disinfection is primarily for our safety – the point is not to transfer it to the mouth, nose or eyes after touching the surface on which the coronavirus could theoretically be located – explains the expert.

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Remember – hand disinfection is recommended every time we touch the surface.

On the other hand, what we touch is also important. “ If we go to a clothing store and change there in shirts, it’s unlikely that someone will cough up enough coronavirus to make it dangerous. So let’s use common sense. If, for example, we do not touch anything in the store, there is no need for disinfection – says Dr. Dzie citkowski.

It is worth reminding at this point that if we are unable to wash or disinfect our hands, let us refrain from simply touching our face.

The biggest mistake when washing / disinfecting hands

Not everyone pays attention to this, but to ensure protection against SARS-CoV-2, it is important to wash / disinfect your hands in an appropriate manner and for a long time. Meanwhile, hand hygiene is often too short for us.

— If you wash your hands with soap and water, it should take at least 30 seconds. We should also thoroughly brush the spaces between the fingers. The same applies to disinfectants: we have to take the amount of the preparation so that it moistens all hands, then rub it thoroughly into the skin and wait for it to dry – reminds the expert.

How to wash your hands properly? See the infographic below.

You may be interested in:

1. Seven atypical symptoms of COVID-19 that we don’t take into account
2. What to do to reduce the number of coronavirus infections in schools? The latest advice from American scientists
3. Six ways to protect yourself from coronavirus infection that are not worthwhile. Scientists debunk myths

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