It's something we all know and do several times a day. Washing your hands is. But friends, even though this seems like a very simple thing, today we will talk in detail about how important it is for our health to wash our hands properly and how to do it. Because this small habit can protect you and your family from major illnesses.
Why is hand washing so important?
Simply put, hand washing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of illness. Germs are everywhere around us, from kitchen counters to surfaces we walk on, to doorknobs. While our immune systems can fight off most of these germs, sometimes they win and make us sick. That's where the value of proper hand washing comes into play.
Think of it this way: germs are like little passengers. Our hands are their 'vehicles'. When we unknowingly touch a surface that has germs on it, those passengers get on board our hands. Then, when we touch our eyes, nose, and mouth with those hands, they enter our bodies and cause illness. Research has shown that proper handwashing can prevent a third of stomach ailments like diarrhea and a fifth of respiratory infections.
But what happens when we wash our hands? Germs are sent down the sink with the water, not letting passengers get to their destination. Although some germs try to stick to our hands, if we wash our hands properly, we can remove most of them. So, if you don't get sick, you won't spread germs to others, right?
How long should we wash our hands?
This is also something that many people have a misconception about. You should rub your hands together with soap for at least 20 seconds . Some people think that just rubbing a little soap on your hands and rinsing them with water is enough. But that's not enough. 20 seconds may seem like a short time, but if you look at a clock and check the exact time, you'll realize that it's a little longer than you think.
An easy way is to sing the "Happy Birthday" song slowly twice in your head. This will take about 20 seconds.
After you wash your hands at regular intervals like this, after a while you'll get used to washing your hands at that exact time. That's when the germs are really removed.
What are the correct steps for washing hands?
Think about it, what's the first thing you do when you wash your hands? Do you lather up? That's a bit wrong. The first thing you should do is wet your hands with clean water. Once the water hits, the soap can grab and remove germs and dirt.
Okay, so let's see the steps to follow:
1. Wet your hands: Use clean, running water ( (It doesn't matter if it's cold water or hot water.) Then turn off the water tap, saving water.
2. Apply soap: Apply soap well and rub your hands together. Do this for at least 20 seconds . Don't forget to apply soap well and rub all these areas , including your wrists, the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails . This rubbing is very important. It's what gets rid of germs.
3. Wash your hands: Turn on the water again and rinse your hands thoroughly with running water until all the soap is gone. Only by washing properly can you completely remove all germs, chemicals, and dirt from your hands.
4. Turn off the water tap: Now that your hands are clean, cover the tap with your elbow or a clean paper towel when you turn it off. This will help prevent new germs from getting on your hands.
5. Dry your hands: Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel or a clean cloth towel. Some people like to spread their hands out to dry. However, research shows that germs spread more easily on wet hands than on dry hands. That's why it's important to dry your hands thoroughly.
What are the times we should wash our hands?
We need to wash our hands at many times throughout the day, whether at home, at work, or when we go out. But with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can forget about these times. Let's take a look at the main times when we need to wash our hands.
In matters related to food and drink:
Food goes directly into our mouths. So it's one of the easiest ways for germs to enter our bodies. So make sure to wash your hands at these times:
- Before eating any food, especially food eaten with your hands.
- Before and after preparing food.
- Immediately after handling raw meat and fish (before touching anything else, including the spice jar and the fridge door).
- After touching things like garbage and compost.
- After wiping down areas like kitchen counters (you need to manually remove the chemicals from the cleaning liquid at this point).
After catching animals:
Even our beloved pets can spread germs. So wash your hands at these times:
- After touching pets, especially if you did so while working in the kitchen or preparing food.
- After touching things like animal food and biscuits.
- If you touch another animal that is not in your home.
- After cleaning the animals' cages and living areas.
When serving others:
If you're taking care of a young child, an elderly person, or someone outside the home, it's hard to avoid catching germs from them. To reduce that risk, wash your hands at these times:
- After caring for anyone who is sick.
- After changing a baby's diaper.
- If you helped someone clean up after going to the toilet.
After exposure to body fluids:
Bodily fluids are places where germs can accumulate. To avoid them, wash your hands at these times:
- After going to the toilet.
- When you sneeze, when you cough.
- After catching a cold and wiping your nose.
- Vomiting, after cleaning up what has passed through the stomach (yours or someone else's).
- Before and after cleaning a wound (applying medicine, applying a plaster).
Special occasions:
You can't box everything in life like this. Many of the situations mentioned above are important. But there are other times when you should wash your hands, or at least use hand sanitizer if you don't have a sink nearby.
- Before putting in contact lenses (be sure to use soap and water at this time).
- After touching commonly used items at work, such as computer keyboards and other equipment.
- After touching places that are touched by many people, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and handrails.
- Whether you've been to a public place, spent time outdoors, or just come home.
- When your workplace rules require you to wash your hands.
If you have any further questions about this, it is best to consult a doctor.
Do I need to use antibacterial soap?
No. Any regular soap and water will remove germs. There is no evidence that most people use antibacterial soaps more effectively than regular soap and water. However, health care workers sometimes follow different guidelines.
Can body wash be used to wash hands?
Yes, you can. Any type of soap can help remove germs from your hands. But you need to follow the steps above carefully. Some body washes have strong scents, which can linger on your hands even after washing them.
Can I use hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
It depends on the situation. Both of these methods clean hands in slightly different ways. Soap and water remove germs and harmful substances from the hands. Hand sanitizers kill certain types of germs.
It's best to always use soap and water if possible, as it's more effective than hand sanitizers for:
- Eliminate some germs that can make you seriously ill, like ` (Norovirus)` and `(C. diff)` (Clostridium difficile).
- Remove pesticides and heavy metals like lead.
- Remove dirt and grease from your hands from outdoor activities (such as fishing, camping).
However, there are times when hand sanitizer is useful:
- When you visit someone in a hospital or nursing home (in most cases, you should use hand sanitizer before and after visiting. However, if the person you are visiting has a specific infection, such as C. diff, use soap and water).
- When soap and running water are not available (use hand sanitizer and wash your hands in a sink as soon as possible).
- Let young children clean their hands (soap and water is always best for children, especially if their hands are very dirty and sticky. But it takes a while for little ones to get used to washing their hands properly. Hand sanitizers are easy for them to use, especially when you're traveling. But they should be given under adult supervision , as these are very harmful if swallowed. So keep them out of reach of children).
Make sure the hand sanitizer you use contains at least 60% `(Ethyl Alcohol)` or 70% `(Isopropyl Alcohol)`. This is the only way to effectively kill germs, including the Covid-19 `(COVID-19)` virus.
Is it dangerous to wash your hands too much?
It's said that too much of anything is not good. While it's important to wash your hands regularly, here are some things that can happen if you wash your hands too often:
- Our skin loses its natural oils and the good bacteria that help fight germs.
- Hands can become dry, cracked, and rough, making it easier for germs to enter the body.
- Those conditions may be exacerbated in people with skin conditions like eczema.
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis may occur.
If you have to wash your hands frequently due to work or other reasons, using a moisturizer that leaves your skin feeling soft can help keep your hands comfortable. You can also talk to your doctor about ways to keep your skin soft and prevent dryness.
Finally, things to remember
Like brushing our teeth or washing the dishes, washing our hands can be something we do out of habit. We've probably done it a million times and don't even think about how we do it. But every now and then, it's good to look at what we're doing and see if there are any shortcomings or if we could do it better.
When it comes to handwashing, that might mean adding a few extra seconds to your soap and water routine. Or it might mean reminding yourself to dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel. The little time you spend practicing this simple habit will go a long way in keeping you and your family safe from illness and disease. So, let's start taking care of this today, shall we?
` Hand washing, health, germs, health habits, infection prevention, cleanliness, soap
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