IndexWhen is hand sanitizer useful?Can it kill all germs?Hand Sanitizer vs Hand WashingConclusionHand Sanitizers are consumed as a sterilizing substance under form of liquid, gel or foam that fights infectious bacteria on the hand. They make up 60% denatured alcohol which kills germs on the surface of the skin. They are a good substitute for soaps and hand washing. But is hand sanitizer enough to kill all germs and is it as beneficial to your health as you assume? The answer is obviously no and they are not a true substitute for hand washing, although they can kill most viruses and bacteria if they contain 60 to 95% alcohol, but there are some germs that are immune to alcohol and they still remain inside. our skin, which doesn't make it a reliable choice when it comes to strengthening your hygiene. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay However, there are some advantages to using a disinfectant: Disinfectants are useful if water is not easily accessible; They can kill most bacteria on hands and reduce the spread of infections; Many disinfectants are also useful for improving skin conditions; They are portable so anyone can sanitize their hands anywhere, anytime. When are hand sanitizers useful? They are practical because they are portable and keep hands tidy if someone is on holiday or working where water is not accessible. Microorganisms prevail everywhere, so disinfectants can prevent diseases by destroying most of the germs that each of us gets while remaining intact with surrounding surfaces. It is a practical help when we don't have soap and water at hand. Can it kill all germs? Hand sanitizers must be more than 60% alcohol based, otherwise they will not work. Although it can kill most microbes, but not all, those that can be harmful to health such as: Cryptosporidium infections that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory problems; Clostridium difficile which disturbs the intestine and causes inflammation; Norovirus causes diarrhea; Giardia parasite which can cause diarrheal infections. .Hand Sanitizer vs Hand Washing Soap and water are a useful option to maintain hygiene rather than relying on hand sanitizers alone, as all professionals suggest washing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Water can eliminate germs from our skin while using hand sanitizers can kill them but cannot eliminate them from our hands. Disinfectants can only fight germs but cannot fight dirt and grease, which soaps or hand washing can do much better because they can thoroughly clean oil and microbes without letting them stay on the skin. Soaps are a better solution than sanitizers and there is no difference between using a plain soap or an antibacterial soap as they are equally effective at keeping germs off our hands as sanitizers. Please note: this is just an example. Request a custom paper product now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Research has shown that sanitizers cannot eradicate all germs, but they can improve protection from many diseases when we cannot wash our hands. However, it is not 100% protection, which is why we must wash our hands as soon as we find soap and water.