Hot water and bacteria?

Question

I know that it is common to say, "use hot water when washing your hands" or when you've got a cut, "wash your hands with warm water," etc. I was wondering, why is this the case? Since bacteria grow in warm environments, you would think that it might be beneficial for bacteria. Is this just another myth or is this actually true?

Answer 1

It is not a myth and this is backed up by science. Because your hands have natural oils that provide an ideal living environments for bacteria, it is imperative for the oil to be removed. When used with soap, hot water has been demonstrated to remove this oil better than cold water.