Original Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

As coronavirus haunts our lives every second it is very natural for us to use protective measures. One of these protective measures is using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to clean our hands to avoid contamination with coronavirus.

But is your alcohol-based hand sanitizer actually keeping you safe from coronavirus? 

The answer is both yes and no. 

As the demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizers increased many fake products came into the market just to get some share of the profit.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in order to kill coronavirus need to be strictly containing at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol ( Recommended by CDC refer here). Refer to the back of the label to ensure that your sanitizer has these recommended quantities. If the concentration of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol is lower than recommended than your sanitizer won't have any effect on coronavirus.

 But you're still unsafe

Yes, even if your alcohol-based hand sanitizer has recommended the value of alcohol it will still be ineffective if you don't let it dry naturally. Yes, we as humans are always in a hurry and thing of alcohol sanitizers as some magic tools whose one miracle drop will kill coronavirus in a second. Be sure to put on sanitizer on both sides of the hand and let the sanitizer dry itself for about 15-20 seconds. Don't rush the process as alcohol requires time to break the protein envelope of coronavirus. Rushing the process will make using sanitizer ineffective.

If you want to keep yourself safe from fake alcohol-based sanitizers in the market then you should try making your own hand sanitizer. Buy 100% isopropyl alcohol from the pharmacy ( Keep away from children and flammable objects) that comes from a trusted brand or has certifications on the label. To make 100mL of sanitizer add 30mL of distilled water and to 70mL of 100% isopropyl alcohol. This will make a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol which is used by us microbiology students ( Yes, I am studying Microbiology) to disinfect our hands in the lab. Anything above 70% is not recommended. It may not be as fancy as sanitizers from the market but it works the same and also avoid using sanitizers frequently as they can cause skin problems.

Don't try using 100% alcohol thinking that it will give you better results as 100% alcohol has no effect on microorganisms and is ineffective.

It is best recommended to clean the hand with soap and water for 20 seconds. So if you can opt for soap and water as it kills more microbes.

Share with your friends and family.

 Thank you for reading. Have a nice day.