Hot or Cold Water: Which Kills More Germs When Washing Hands?

Washing hands with soap and water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of infections. But when you turn on the tap, does warm water clean hands better than cold?

Washing hands with soap and water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the transmission of infections. But when you turn on the faucet, does hot water clean your hands better than cold water?

According to the selection report and quoted by Enlii My Health; Many people think that hot water kills more germs and cold water has less cleaning power. But the fact is that the temperature of the water does not have much effect on the rate of removal of microbes. What is more important is the use of soap, the thorough rubbing of hands and the duration of washing. Of course, the temperature of the water can affect the feeling of comfort when washing hands and the health of the skin.

Does hot water kill more germs than cold water?

Not necessarily. Hot water may seem like a more effective cleaner at first, but hot water alone does not kill germs.

Professor Dr. SM Fayyaz, senior specialist and head of internal diseases department of KIMS hospitals in Mahadevpura district, says: "Water whose temperature is tolerable for the skin is not by itself an effective factor in killing germs."

Reputable public health centers, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have also emphasized that water temperature does not play a decisive role in hand hygiene. Using soap, rubbing hands, and washing time are more important. The best water temperature is the temperature at which you can wash your hands for 20 seconds without feeling uncomfortable.

According to the CDC, washing hands with hot and cold water, when both are used with soap, removes germs from the skin about the same.

Water alone is not a suitable material for sterilization. To kill germs using heat, the temperature of the water must be high enough to create a risk of skin burns.

In a laboratory study published in the Journal of Food Protection in 2017, researchers investigated the effects of water temperature, amount of soap, and duration of foaming. The results showed that in washing with 15°C and 38°C water, there is no difference in the amount of bacteria removal.

Although this research was conducted several years ago, its results are still consistent with the current recommendations of public health professionals.

Why is soap more important than water temperature?

Soap helps to remove dirt, grease and germs from the surface of the skin. Rubbing the hands causes these substances to separate from the surface of the skin and the running water washes them away.

Therefore, washing hands thoroughly with cool water can be more effective than a quick wash with warm water; Because the duration of washing and how to clean all parts of the hand is very important.

* Wet your hands under running water. * Apply enough soap to cover all parts of both hands. * Rub your palms, the backs of your hands, and the space between your fingers. * Don't forget to wash your thumbs, fingertips, and under your nails. * Rub your hands together well for at least 20 seconds. * At the end, rinse and dry your hands completely.

For daily hand washing, ordinary household soap is enough, and you don't need to always use antibacterial soaps.

Can hot water damage the skin of the hand?

yes Especially if the water is too hot or you wash your hands too often.

Frequent contact with water and heat can damage the skin's protective barrier. This natural barrier helps to maintain the skin's moisture and prevents the entry of irritants.

In a study published in 2022 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers investigated the effect of water contact on the skin's protective barrier in 50 healthy volunteers. The results showed that long-term exposure of the skin in water can increase the loss of water through the skin and cause redness. Some skin indices also changed under the influence of cold water, but hot water caused more changes in some indices.

Of course, this study was conducted under controlled conditions, and it does not mean that washing hands with hot water every time will harm the skin. However, its results show that it is better to avoid excessive heat, especially in people with dry or sensitive skin.

Water that is too hot may cause the skin to feel stretched, dry or itchy. The continuation of this irritation can lead to cracking of the skin and skin inflammation of the hand.

Also, very hot water is a risk of burns; Especially for children and people who have decreased sense of touch in their hands.

Is there an advantage to using hot water?

Warm water can make hand washing easier, especially on colder days of the year. This sense of comfort may help people to allocate enough time to wash their hands and not finish the task prematurely.

Warm water also helps to remove grease, such as grease left over from food. However, this feature does not mean that hot water has more power to kill germs; Provided that cold or cool water is also used with soap and in the correct way.

Using mild warm water can be a good choice in the following situations:

* On cold days, washing your hands with cold water is uncomfortable for you. * You want to remove the fat and oily food residue from your hands. * You are more comfortable with warm water and you can wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

However, do not set the water tap to too high a temperature. Water with a temperature that is comfortable and tolerable for the skin is enough.

Is cold water better for sensitive skin?

For people with dry skin, eczema, or skin inflammation, using cool or lukewarm water is usually a good choice; Because it prevents unnecessary irritation of the skin due to high heat.

Of course, cold water is not necessarily better for everyone. Very cold water may be uncomfortable and cause a person to wash their hands for a shorter time. Therefore, the main priority is that the water temperature is suitable enough for you to clean your hands properly.

People who wash their hands frequently because of their jobs should pay more attention to skin care. Healthcare workers, food handlers, and patient caregivers may wash their hands many times throughout the day.

To protect the skin of the hands, following a few simple tips can be useful:

* Use mild detergents.* Avoid washing hands with very hot water.* Dry hands gently and thoroughly after washing.* After washing hands, use a fragrance-free moisturizer.* Consult a doctor if skin redness, painful cracks, or rashes persist.

What water temperature should we choose to wash our hands?

For most people, lukewarm water is the right choice; Because it creates a feeling of comfort and does not expose the skin to excessive heat. Of course, cold milk water can be equally effective if it is used together with soap and proper hand rubbing.

Some people should be more careful when choosing water temperature:

Children: It is better to use warm and tolerable water and be careful when opening the hot water tap.

People with eczema or dry skin: cool or lukewarm water is a better choice. Using a moisturizer after washing is also important.