Scientists from the University of Sheffield have discovered that mild detergents are as effective as antibacterial soaps at killing viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The research was published in the journal Boundaries in Virology.
Scientists tested antibacterial soaps, natural soaps, foaming cleansers, and bathroom cleaners. Participants washed their hands for 20-60 seconds.
Researchers have found that mild hand sanitizers are effective at killing enveloped viruses (SARS-CoV-2) but less effective against non-enveloped viruses (norovirus). However, non-enveloped viruses were resistant to all handwashes tested and were killed only by disinfectant bleach, which is not suitable for handwashing.
Healthcare workers who can wash their hands up to 100 times in a 12-hour shift are more likely to develop contact dermatitis. The incidence and severity of this condition has increased from 20% to 80% among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contact dermatitis not only causes skin inflammation, blistering and cracking, but also increases the transmission of bacteria and viruses and can lead to inadequate hand washing for fears of worsening symptoms. A study by scientists shows for the first time that skin-friendly cleansers can be an alternative to antiseptic soaps.
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