What is best means to wash hands?

Washing hands is one of the simplest ways to prevent the spread of illnesses. And the most common among these illnesses are acute intestinal infections, respiratory diseases, and flu.

Today there are many means: antiseptics, ordinary soap, antibacterial soap, liquid soap, alcohol, and so on.

But ordinary soap remains the best way to fight germs, TASS reports. It consists of soluble salts of saturated fatty acids. When the composition enters into a reaction with water, a chemical reaction takes place, during which the specific micellar molecules are formed; they catch the pollution on the skin by washing under water.

This method of skin cleaning is simple and effective. Just 20 seconds is enough to wash your hands to get rid of harmful microbes—heavy metals, pesticides.

One of the disadvantages of this method, however, is the risk that germs from the previous user will remain on the soap, as well as the impossibility of using soap without running water.

Liquid soap is considered to be more hygienic than bar soap because usually no microbes remain on its surface from the previous user. Variety is also an advantage, equipped with care components. Thanks to this, the skin of the hand does not dry out, remaining soft and pleasant to the touch. Experts recommend using liquid soap in public places.

The main difference between antibacterial soap and ordinary soap is the presence of antimicrobial components in its composition. Their addition helps prevent the risk of bacterial infections. However, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this soap has no proven advantages compared to classic analogues. Some data even indicate that antibacterial components can cause damage to human health. For example, removing beneficial bacteria from the skin, misleading users with a false sense of cleanliness, and this can lead to a reduction in the number of regular hygienic actions.

Antibacterial soap can be effective in medical facilities, but its use without a doctor's advice and specific means—the composition should remain on the skin for less than 2 minutes—is not recommended. Ordinary soap is cheaper and has the same effect, but without additional risks.

Antiseptics are common disinfectants that are often presented as substitutes for soap. Antiseptics are really convenient, as there is no need to look for a bathroom to wash your hands, and the hygienic action can be performed simply in progress.

Most experts, however, believe that antiseptics cannot replace soap. The reason is that a disinfectant is a good alternative only if it contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Otherwise, the microbes will remain on the skin.

Doctors recommend to use antiseptics when the hands are not very dirty or greasy. And they should be used especially carefully after eating, as proteins and fats in food reduce the antibacterial effect of alcohol.

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