Amid the hustle and bustle of our daily life we are more concerned about health and safety than ever before. It is because of the Covid-19 pandemic that has engulfed the whole world with its tentacles. As a result, we even doubt someone’s touch and breath. We hope that the day on which we can smile sans masks is not far away. The best ways of preventing the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), are washing hands with soap and water , wearing masks and maintaining the social distancing and using sanitisers only if there is a lack of soap and water because washing hands with soap and water is more effective than using sanitisers. Therefore, understanding the use of sanitisers is important for everyone. First, it is better to know the function of hand sanitisers. The WHO has recommended alcohol based hand sanitisers. An effective sanitiser should contain 60 percent or 70 percent of alcohol. This is because alcohol is known to kill germs by destroying or breaking up the protective outer proteins of microbes and dissolving the membranes of germs. According to the WHO, the virus can be deactivated within 20 seconds of sanitiser usage.
How to choose the correct hand sanitisers:-
Even though the sanitiser with 60 percent alcohol is recommended by the WHO, there are also menthol based sanitisers in shops. Menthol based substances, according to various studies, are found to be detrimental to the skin because menthol can be toxic when it is rubbed on the skin.
How to apply hand sanitisers :-
The recommendation of the WHO is to apply a coin-sized amount of the substance. It is a must to rub the sanitiser over your hands and fingers thoroughly for about 20 or 30 seconds making sure to cover both sides of the hands and between the fingers. But it is wrong to apply hand sanitisers when your hands are visibly dirty. Therefore, it is better to apply sanitisers after washing your hands with soap and water.
How to store hand sanitisers after use :-
Keep in mind that hand sanitisers are alcohol based substances. Therefore, the consumers must be aware of the fact that hand sanitizers should be stored in a dry, cool location avoiding direct sunlight.
However, unfortunately, while our dedicated healthcare workers and doctors have already geared up y to beat Covid-19 , many people are found applying sanitisers not as a precautionary measure but as a perfume to avoid the body odour and wearing masks even below the chin.
However,to avoid untimely deaths what is best for us to do is to follow medical advice and instructions correctly.
