Final answer:
Fentanyl can be removed from the skin by thoroughly washing with soap and water, while alcohol swabs and hand sanitizer are not recommended due to their ineffectiveness in the presence of dirt and potential to cause skin irritation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fentanyl can be removed from the skin by using soap and water. The best way to do this is to apply about 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of liquid soap and rub it all over the hands and arms for at least 20 seconds. It is essential to focus on washing the most commonly missed areas such as the thumb, wrist, areas between the fingers, and skin under the fingernails. A nail brush can be very useful to remove any debris or microorganisms that might be present under the fingernails.
While alcohol swabs and hand sanitizer contain alcohols that are effective at killing bacteria, funguses, and some viruses, they are not recommended for removing fentanyl from the skin. This is because alcohols require a clean surface to be effective and will not work well if there is visible dirt. Furthermore, alcohols may also cause skin irritation due to their dehydrating effect on the skin.
Plain water alone is not sufficient for effectively removing fentanyl or other contaminants from the skin, as the use of soap is necessary to properly cleanse and reduce the presence of harmful substances.