Do you believe these myths about germs? (Myths about Germs)

We're all more concerned about germs now than ever before, aren't we? Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, washing our hands and using sanitizers has become a part of our lives. But are some of the things we do every day, or think are right, really right? Today, let's find out for sure whether some of the beliefs that are prevalent in society about killing germs are true or false. Test your knowledge and see if you also believe these misconceptions .

Misconception 1: Using hand sanitizer is the same as washing your hands.

This is something that many people think about. Having a hand sanitizer that you can apply to your hands when there is no water is a great thing. It's much better than doing nothing. But it can never be compared to washing your hands with soap and water.

Imagine that your hands are covered in dirt, dust, or some kind of chemical, such as pesticides from gardening. In such a situation, using a sanitizer will not remove the dirt, dust, or chemical from your hands. Sanitizer only kills some of the germs on the surface of your hands. Also, sanitizers cannot kill all types of germs.

But, when you wash your hands with soap and rub them together for at least 20 seconds , every bit of dirt, dust, chemicals, and all kinds of germs on your hands come off. Then, when you rinse with water, it all washes away.

Misconception 2: Hand dryers are cleaner than paper towels

When you go to a washroom in a public place like a shopping mall or a cinema hall, the two options for washing and drying your hands are paper towels and hand dryers. Many people think that air drying without touching your hands is cleaner. But the truth is the opposite.

Research has found that drying your hands with a paper towel is healthier than using a hand dryer. There are several reasons for this:

• Speed: Paper towels dry hands very quickly. Germs grow quickly on wet hands.
• Spreading germs: Some hand dryers quickly blow the germ-laden air from the washroom onto your freshly washed, clean hands, which can re-contaminate your hands with germs.
• Friction: The friction that occurs when you dry your hands with a paper towel can also help remove any remaining bacteria that wasn't removed by washing your hands.

So, if you have both options for drying your hands in a public place, don't think twice about choosing paper towels.

Misconception 3: Antibacterial soap is much better than regular soap.

"Kills 99.9% of germs!" - How many of us see advertisements like this on TV and in newspapers? This is why many people are tempted to buy antibacterial or antiseptic soaps instead of regular soap. These types of soaps contain special chemicals that are not found in regular soaps.

But what's surprising is that even major health agencies around the world, such as the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , say that there is no scientific evidence to prove that using these special soaps can prevent diseases more than using regular soap and water.

That means there is no big difference between the results you get from that special soap you pay for and from a regular bar of soap. The most important thing when washing your hands is not the type of soap you use, but how you rub your hands properly and for a sufficient amount of time. Also, there is a belief that the continued unnecessary use of these antibacterial products can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in some bacteria. Therefore, a regular bar of soap is more than enough.

Misconception 4: Cleaning and Disinfecting are the same thing

We often say, "I cleaned the house thoroughly, and now there are no germs." But 'cleaning' and 'disinfecting' are two different processes. It is very important to understand the difference between the two.

Both processes need to be followed for complete hygiene. Imagine you need to disinfect your kitchen counter top. First, you need to clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt and food particles. Then you need to disinfect it . Otherwise, spraying disinfectant on a dirty surface won't kill the germs properly.

Misconception 5: Sanitizer bottles in public places spread diseases

This is also something that some people fear. Since the pump on the sanitizer bottle that is available when you enter a place like a supermarket or a bank can hold hundreds of people, some people think that if they touch it and take the sanitizer, their germs will come to our hands.

But the logic behind it is very simple. Imagine you touched the pump of that sanitizer bottle. Let's say some germs got on your hand. But the next second, what do you pick up? Alcohol-based sanitizer that kills germs. When you rub it on your hand, all the germs on your hand, including the germs that came out of the pump, are destroyed.

In fact, if everyone uses sanitizer in public places like this, the amount of germs on those common items (door handles, shopping cart handles) will decrease, creating a safer environment for everyone. So, don't be afraid to use sanitizer in public places. It's a good habit that will protect you and others.

If you have any further questions about this, you can talk to your family doctor or doctor for more information.