You might be using hand sanitizers incorrectly. Here's how to use it effectively

As coronavirus cases increase exponentially in India, it is high time people should tick all the right safety boxes to prevent themselves from getting infected of covid-19.

US CDC, United States federal agency for disease control and prevention, has charted how and when to correctly apply the hand sanitizers.

Washing hands frequently is effective in reducing the germs and chemicals on hand. CDC recommends using soap and water to wash hands. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol could help.

According to a report by thehealthsite.com, if you are using soap and water to disinfect your hands, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds is must. If you’re using a hand sanitizer, you must rub for longer time, at least for 30 seconds.

A study by CDC published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases says that rubbing for exactly 30 seconds can kill coronavirus, but doing less than this amount of time could leave traces of active virus, making you vulnerable to infection.

Steps to follow while using a hand sanitizer:

Apply a generous amount of the liquid all over your hands

Make sure you’re applying it between the fingers, on the backs of your hands and under your nails.

Keep rubbing your hands for at least 30 seconds.

Do not rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it’s dry. If you do so, it may not work as well against germs.