Alcohol hand sanitiser is an essential tools for maintaining hand hygiene, especially in situations where soap and water are not readily available. These sanitisers typically contain either ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or isopropyl alcohol as their active ingredient, with concentrations of at least 60% to ensure effectiveness
Using hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol to effectively kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses. Ethanol works by breaking down the structure of proteins in bacteria, while isopropyl alcohol is slightly more effective against certain bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both types of alcohol are effective against many viruses, including influenza and rhinovirus
While alcohol hand sanitisers are highly effective at reducing the number of germs on hands, they do have limitations. They may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, and they might not remove harmful chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals
In such cases, washing hands with soap and water is preferable. Additionally, frequent use of alcohol-based sanitizers can cause skin irritation or dryness, so it’s important to use moisturizers to maintain skin health.
Despite these limitations, alcohol hand sanitiser remains a convenient and effective option for maintaining hand hygiene, especially in public places, healthcare settings, and situations where access to soap and water is limited
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