How long should you wash your hands with hand sanitizer? Why should you wash your hands with hand sanitizer for more than 20 seconds?

We have all used hand sanitizer, and it is very convenient and clean to wash hands with hand sanitizer, but washing hands also requires a certain amount of time, so we need to understand how long we should wash with hand sanitizer? Why do you need to wash your hands with hand sanitizer for more than 20 seconds?

How long should I wash with hand sanitizer?

Rub your hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds. If you rinse them off immediately after spraying disinfectant, it will not have a sterilizing effect. During this process, pay attention to rubbing your fingertips and finger gaps, and allow the foam to cover every part of your hand. Robert Olinstein, an infectious disease research expert at the Mayo Clinic in the United States, said that disinfectants need to have sufficient contact time with pathogens, otherwise salmonella and parasites are likely to survive. Finally, be sure to wipe dry with a clean, dry towel or paper towel. It is best not to dry it in a tumble dryer, because the rapid evaporation of surface water will cause partial water loss from the skin, making the skin dry and rough. It is recommended to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, touching pets, going to the toilet, and before eating. It is best to use warm water, apply soap and rub for at least 20 seconds, rubbing the surface of your hands and every gap, and then rinse them clean.

Why should you wash your hands with hand sanitizer for more than 20 seconds?

The researchers note that particles such as bacteria and viruses can get trapped in the rough surface of the hands, so the water flow must be strong enough to dislodge them. The intensity of the water flow depends on the speed of rubbing the hands. "If one hand moves too gently or too slowly relative to the other, the force generated by the fluid will not be enough to overcome the force holding the particles down and allow the particles to leave the rough surface. Even if the particles can be removed, the process cannot be fast. Models show that about 20 seconds of vigorous movement are needed to remove potential viruses and bacteria. The researchers said: "The model used here to analyze the fluid forces on suspended particles near rigid walls is rough and should be improved to include the effects of the proximity of the wall, as well as fluid inertia and particle Brownian motion. "Understanding the physical mechanisms of particle removal from dirty hands may help researchers formulate more effective and environmentally friendly soaps in the future.

Should I buy antibacterial or bactericidal hand sanitizer?

The hand sanitizers on the market are divided into no-rinse type and rinse-off type. It is generally recommended to use the rinse-off type. The rinse-off type is divided into two categories: one is ordinary hand sanitizer, the health license on its label is "Wei Zhuang Zhun Zi", which mainly plays the role of cleaning and removing dirt; the second is hand sanitizer with anti-(inhibitory) bacterial function, the health license on its label is "Wei Xiao Zheng Zi", which has certain cleaning and antibacterial and antibacterial functions. Bacteriostasis is not bactericidal (antibacterial). Antibacterial means inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Antibacterial hand sanitizer relies on the antibacterial ingredients remaining on the hands to change the suitable living conditions for bacteria, thereby preventing the reproduction of bacteria remaining on the hands. Sterilization is more difficult, and most hand sanitizers claim to have antibacterial effects. In addition, when using hand sanitizer, you need to use it correctly to fully exert its protective effect. Use a reasonable amount according to the product instructions, which is generally exactly the size of a 1 yuan coin (about 24 mm in diameter); rub your hands until they are dry, about 30 seconds; make sure that the spaces between fingers, fingertips and other parts are fully covered.

Do I need to wet my hands before using hand sanitizer?

Yes. First, wet your hands with clean water, take an appropriate amount of hand sanitizer on the palms and rub your hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds. During this process, pay attention to rubbing the fingertips and finger gaps, and allow the foam to cover every part of the hand. Rinse with running water after rubbing. Finally, be sure to wipe dry with a clean dry towel or paper towel. It is best not to dry it in a tumble dryer, because the rapid evaporation of surface water will cause partial water loss from the skin, making the skin dry and rough. Washing hands is a very important thing, and washing hands before meals is even more important, so washing hands every day is a good habit. Being able to wash hands every day can help you reduce the harm of bacteria.