Do you know How to Wash Your Hands Accurately? Washing your hands is one of the simplest ways in which to avoid illness and forestall the transmission of germs, as well as the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.
Laundry hands totally with soap and clean water is commonly a very important defense against diseases that unfold simply from person to person and keep you, your idolized ones, and thus the community healthy as a result. A how-to Wash Your Hands in general.
However, hand washing is only effective when done correctly and consistently.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
Hands should be washed often. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following are key times when handwashing is especially important to help prevent the spread of germs and viruses:
01. Before, during, and after food preparation
02. Before eating food
03. Before and after coming into contact with a sick person who has vomiting or diarrhea
04. Before and after treating a cut or wound
05. After using the bathroom
06. After changing a diaper
07. After cleaning a child who has used the bathroom
08. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
09. After coming in contact with an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
10. After touching pet food or pet treats
11. After handling garbage
If you do not have immediate access to soap and water in these circumstances, you ought to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
How to Properly Wash Your Hands
Turn on the Water: Clean, running water is more important than temperature. Turn on the water and get your hands wet. You can turn the water off or leave it running, counting on your preference.
Turning it off saves water, but it will increase the number of times you touch the faucet, which will expose you to germs that are on the faucet handles.
Lather Up: Soap is important. It helps lift the germs and microbes off your skin while you wash your hands and make the entire process simpler.
Studies have shown that it’s no better to use antibacterial soap than regular soap, and therefore the overuse of triclosan, a commonly used ingredient in antibacterial soap, could actually contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Scrub for at least 20 Seconds: Most people don’t scrub their hands nearly long enough. Twenty seconds doesn’t sound like a long time but it is much longer than you would imagine. How does one confirm you’re washing the right amount of time? Sing the Happy Birthday song to yourself twice.
Make sure you’re completely covering your hands with soap and water. Scrub between your fingers, under your nails, everywhere your thumbs, and up your wrists.
There are germs all over your hands, not just on your palms and fingertips. Rinse the Soap (and Germs) Away: Rinsing is ultimately how you get the germs off of your hands, so it’s the most important step.
Again, it’s important to use clean running water. Dipping your hands during a stagnant pool of water (or even standing water within the sink) isn’t equivalent to rinsing the soap off with clean, running water.
If all you have is a pool of water for instance, you are outside and have no access to running water it is better than nothing and certainly preferable to not washing your hands at all.
Many people do not realize that washing your hands doesn’t typically kill germs, it’s simply the foremost effective thanks to getting them off of your hands so you do not spread them to yourself or others.
Rinsing allows you to scrub the germs and microbes away, drastically lowering the probability that you simply will spread the disease.
Dry Your Hands: Using a paper or cloth hand towel, dry your hands completely. If you’re using cloth hand towels, they ought to be washed frequently especially if they’re in a shared household where they might become contaminated easily.
Turn Off the Water: If you want to save water, go ahead and turn the water off after you get your hands wet and then on and off again when you need to rinse them.
According to the CDC, “While some recommendations include employing a towel to show off the tap after hands are rinsed. This practice results in increased use of water and paper towels, and there are not any studies to point out that it improves health.
Use your best judgment here. You also might want to think about using your towel to open the toilet door as you’re leaving if you’re employing a public restroom.
When to Use Hand Sanitizer
To get obviate germs, thoroughly washing your hands is best. However, if soap and clean water aren’t immediately available, employing a hand sanitizer is a suitable backup until you wash your hands.
To be appropriately effective, the hand sanitizer must be alcohol-based and contain at least 60% alcohol. Note that hand sanitizer isn’t a substitute for soap and water for removing germs. It is also not as effective when your hands are visibly soiled or have been exposed to chemicals.
When using hand sanitizer, remember to use a lot enough to completely cover both hands. Then, rub your hands together while still wet, interlacing the fingers frequently, until they’re completely dry.
Does it Matter What Sort of Soap You Use?
Plain soap is simply nearly as good at disinfecting your hands as over-the-counter antibacterial soaps. Research has found that antibacterial soaps aren’t any longer effective at killing germs than regular, everyday soaps.
In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source banned the use of the antibacterial agents triclosan and triclocarban.
The reasons cited by the FDA for the ban of these agents included:
1. Antibacterial resistance
2. Systemic absorption
3. Endocrine (hormone) disruption
4. Allergic reactions
5. Overall ineffectiveness
So, if you happen to have older bottles of antibacterial soap stocked away, it’s best not to use them. Throw them out, and just use regular soap instead.
Also, there’s no evidence to suggest that the water temperature makes a difference.
According to one study trusted Source, washing your hands in warm water doesn’t seem to get rid of more germs. The bottom line is that it’s safe to use whatever water temperature is right for you, and use any regular liquid or bar soap you have on hand.
How to Prevent Dry or Damaged Skin
Dry, irritated, raw skin from frequent hand washing can raise the risk of infections. Damage to your skin can change the skin flora. This, in turn, can make it easier for germs to live on your hands.
To keep your skin healthy while maintaining good hand hygiene, skin experts suggest the following tips:
Avoid hot water, and use a moisturizing soap. Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water isn’t simpler than warm water, and it tends to be more drying. Opt for liquid (instead of bar) soaps that have a creamy consistency and include humectant ingredients, like glycerin.
Use skin moisturizers. Look for skin creams, ointments, and balms that help keep water from leaving your skin. These include moisturizers with ingredients that are:
Occlusive, such as lanolin acid, caprylic/cupric triglycerides, mineral oil, or squalene
Humectants, such as lactate, glycerin, or honey
Emollients, such as aloe Vera, dimethazone, or isopropyl ministate
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain skin conditioners. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with humectants help ease skin dryness, while emollients replace a number of the water stripped by alcohol.
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(FAQs)
1. Why is handwashing important?
Handwashing is crucial because it helps prevent the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria that can cause illnesses. Proper handwashing reduces the risk of getting sick and also helps protect others around you.
2. When should I wash my hands?
You should wash your hands:
- Before and after preparing or eating food.
- After using the restroom.
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- After touching animals or handling their waste.
- After touching garbage.
- Whenever your hands are visibly dirty.
3. What’s the correct way to wash my hands?
Follow these steps:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water.
- Apply soap and lather well.
- Rub your hands together vigorously, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
- Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.
4. Can I use any soap?
It’s best to use soap specifically designed for handwashing. Antibacterial soap is not necessary; regular soap works effectively in removing germs and dirt.
5. How do I teach proper handwashing to children?
Make handwashing a fun and engaging activity by using songs, timers, or colorful soaps. Teach them the importance of washing all parts of their hands and how it helps keep them healthy.
6. Is hand sanitizer as effective as handwashing?
Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be effective when soap and water are not available. However, handwashing is generally more effective in removing a wider range of germs, including those that cause certain illnesses like norovirus.
7. How often should I use hand sanitizer?
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available, or when you need a quick solution. Still, try to prioritize handwashing when you have access to clean water and soap.
8. Should I use hot water for handwashing?
Warm or cold water is sufficient for effective handwashing. The friction created by rubbing your hands together with soap is more important than water temperature.
9. Can I touch my face after washing my hands?
While washing your hands reduces the number of germs on your hands, it doesn’t make them completely germ-free. It’s still best to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, to further minimize the risk of transferring germs.
10. How can I encourage proper handwashing in a community setting?
You can put up signs in public restrooms, workplaces, and schools to remind people about the importance of handwashing. Educate others about the correct technique and its benefits, especially during flu seasons or outbreaks.
Conclusion
Proper handwashing is a fundamental and effective practice for maintaining good hygiene and preventing the spread of illnesses. By following the recommended steps of wetting, lathering, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying, you can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting germs, viruses, and bacteria to yourself and others.
Handwashing should be done at key moments such as before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and whenever your hands are visibly dirty. While hand sanitizer can be a useful alternative when soap and water are unavailable, handwashing remains the gold standard for cleanliness. By making handwashing a regular part of your routine and promoting its importance in your community, you contribute to a healthier and safer environment for everyone.
