We all use soap in our daily routine to bathe and wash our hands. Could we have ever expected the bar of plain soap that we use to have the power of killing coronavirus? Coronavirus has paralysed the whole world and has enforced social distancing, a concept that was beyond the scope of imagination earlier. Although soap provides you with the essential cleanliness and hygiene, it can destroy the dangerous coronavirus on your hands. In recent times, due to the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have found out that you can kill the coronavirus with soap before it infects your body. Prevention is always better than cure. Learn more about how the bar of soap is saving most of us from the deadly COVID-19 and is much more effective than a liquid hand wash and an alcohol-based sanitizer in many ways.
#1. Powerful and Effective Composition
Soap molecules destroy the virus by breaking the membrane of the lipid bilayer and damaging their proteins. The molecules in a soap contain a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic end. Hydrophobic ends fear water while hydrophilic ends love water. When the lather from the sud is mixed with water, the components of a soap molecule lineup so that the hydrophilic ends are facing out, and the hydrophobic ends are facing inside. When dissolved in water, the ingredients in soap form circular molecules exposing all of the hydrophilic ends outwards. This circular molecule is the thin layer of fat surrounding the protein of a soap. This fat component, known as amphiphiles are essential to break down the virus. Their structure is very similar to the lipids in the virus membrane. Soap dissolves the fat component of the virus that acts as a glue between itself and the skin. It also breaks the interactions between proteins, fats and RNA in the virus.
#2. Safer Compared To An Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
People mostly believe that a hand sanitizer can kill up to 99.99% germs and bacteria on our hands. According to the recent study, although an alcohol-based sanitizer kills the bacteria on the hands, the dead pathogens are still left out. If you do not use water at the end to rinse off the dead germs. It becomes unsafe. Soap is the safest choice since water washes away all the residuals at the end. Although the minute amount of dead pathogens reside on the soap after washing the hands, it does not lead to any significant harm since you use water again to wet it before using it. It rinses away the dead particles again.
#3. Caters To All Corners Of Hands
Just a small amount of soap and little water is enough to rub and wash your entire hand. Rubbing every side of the hand thoroughly for not less than twenty seconds can kill all the bacteria present on your hands. Rub your hands thoroughly for the optimum effect.
Wash your hands daily with a plain bar of soap for about twenty seconds as frequently as you can. Soaps are cheaper than hand sanitizers, and liquid hand wash. They last for a long time and are best suited when your hands are too moist or oily. Do not forget to wash especially before and after eating, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, touching surfaces outside of the home, or while caring for a sick person. Ensuring hygiene after visiting a public space is of paramount importance in this COVID-19 pandemic. Kill or deactivate the coronavirus on your hands and stay safe.
For more information consult to a GP near you. You can also take an appointment at your nearest Life Medical Clinic (Medical Centre in Australia.)
