Dry Or Wipe? Scientists Answered The Question Of What To Do With Hands After Washing

Dry or wipe? Scientists answered the question of what to do with hands after washing

During the pandemic, many have learned how to properly wash their hands. However, not everyone wondered whether to dry them with a towel or use a dryer. And, as it turns out, in vain.

Santeri Viinamäki

How clean our hands are from viruses depends not only on how we wash them, but also on how we dry them. Scientists reported this at the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, which was held virtually. Forbes told about the new scientific work.

In a new study, researchers compared the effects of paper towels and air dryers. To simulate viral contamination, the experiment used bacteriophages - viruses that can infect bacteria, but are harmless to humans.

Participants in the study contaminated hands with bacteriophages. They had to wash their hands poorly, dry them with paper towels, or air dry them. They were then asked to touch various surfaces, including doorknobs, railings, telephones, chair handles, and to wipe their hands on their clothes. Next, scientists checked all these surfaces for viruses.

11 surfaces were contaminated, which were touched by people who dried their hands with warm air, and six - after touching with hands wiped with paper towels. The concentration on surfaces of viruses was 10 times higher after using hand dryers.

"There is a clear difference in residual microbial contamination of hands and body with different methods of hand drying," Forbes quotes the scientists.

The study authors believe their findings may be spreading to the new coronavirus.

In Russia and the world, the coronavirus pandemic, which has already killed many people. Remember simple safety rules and stay healthy

If you go to a pharmacy and a store, take precautions

Wash your hands correctly and use an antiseptic

If you sneeze and cough, do it right, as shown in the infographic.

If you are sick, wear a mask

If someone gets sick in your home, follow these rules.

And be sure to observe the self-isolation regime