Hand Sanitizer Or Disinfectant
The sanitizer has become a common word in recent times. This product, which in the past was mostly used only in hospital operating theaters, has become an indispensable thing among the general public due to the current covid-19 condition.
There are several forms of Hand sanitizers .some are foam, gel, or liquid form. The main purpose of using hand sanitizer is to remove pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
Hand Sanitizer can be divided into two categories depending on the active ingredient. It is alcohol-based and alcohol-free. Alcohol-based products contain between 60% – 95% of alcohol usually in the form of ethanol, ethyl alcohol, isopropanol, or 2-propanol. The other one is based on Benzalkonium Chloride or triclosan.
Disinfectants are Chemical substances or procedures used on nonliving objects to destroy microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria. They should not use on the skin. Alcohol, Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde, Quaternary ammonium compounds, Phenolics are some chemicals included in chemical disinfectants.
There are some other procedures that help to kill germs such as Ultraviolet radiation, other germicides, Pasteurization.
Let’s see how do hand sanitizers and disinfectants work? Sanitizer and disinfectant break down the cell wall and lipid membranes of bacteria and the envelope of the viruses. Then the intracellular content is released and inactivates the virus and bacteria.
Proper use of hand sanitizer helps you to protect yourself from diseases caused by microorganisms. You should apply the proper amount of sanitizer on the palm of one hand .then rub the tips of each hand with the palm of the other hand and rub between the fingers, back of the hand. You should rub your hands together until they get dry. However, hand sanitizer may be less effective on greasy hands.
In the case of covid-19, Sanitizer, disinfectant, mask, and distance are important. So many brands of hand sanitizer are pop up with this situation. These all are not of good quality. So you should know that how to select good sanitizer. Hand sanitizer and disinfectants that maintain good quality can inactivate the covid-19 virus as well as other viruses and bacteria.
Your sanitizer must be an alcohol-based sanitizer. And it should contain more than 75% alcohol concentration.
Expiry date and manufactured date are also important because alcohol evaporates slowly with time. So you should read the label thoroughly before you buy sanitizer.
Stay safe and healthy.
Aticle By Dr. Udari
