Are public restroom hand dryers a breeding ground for bacteria?
The Doctors discuss a viral post which claims a slew of bacteria and fungi grew in a petri dish after only minutes of having someone's hands in the dryer.
ER physician Dr. Travis Stork says he does not use hand dryers as he worries about their cleanliness.
Dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra feels the important thing to remember in this story is more about how people wash their hands. She recommends to always wash yours hands after using the restroom and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. She notes that it is important to get under the nails and also wash the back of the hands. She says that if hands are washed properly then how the hands are dried is less important.
Dr. Travis questions if the person before him in the bathroom is washing properly, which he says then would negate how well he washes his hands. To cut down on his exposure to germs, he explains that he uses a paper towel to dry his hands and also to turn off the faucet. He says he also uses the same towel to open the bathroom door.
