How clean are your hands?
Handwashing may not be a vital part of the regular health regimen of some. The question is how often should we wash our hands on a single day? The Global Hygiene Council says we need to wash hands at least six times a day. For many, this seems too many. But imagine how many times we use the washroom, touch lift buttons, railings, sneeze, and just be in public places.
Handwashing done right
Having access to soap and running water is not enough. Most importantly, we must make sure that we are doing it the correct way. This is important in order to stay away from various diseases.
Follow this guide:
- First, wet the hands
- Thoroughly apply soap on both hands with
- Need to scrub hands for 20 seconds
- Must ensure to scrub palms and back of the hands, between the fingers and under the fingernails.
- Rinse hands well
- Dry them using a clean towel or hand dryer
When using any type of hand sanitizer, we must make sure to cover every surface of the hands at least for 30 seconds, that is before it dries.
Soap is not a must
It is a popular misconception that soap is essential when it comes to proper and effective handwashing. It has been found that many around the globe do not have access to soap. Washing hands even with just clean water can significantly reduce the risk of having diarrhoea.
Among low-income segments, even when soap is available, it is not used for handwashing, due to the cost factor. In such households, most often, soap is used when it comes to washing dishes, doing laundry and bathing.
Soapy water is the obvious low-cost solution to the lack of access to soap on a regular basis. Also, just like our ancestor did before the invention and development of soap, we can use alternatives such as ash to keep bacteria away from our hands.
Handwashing works
There is a misconception that you need hot water, in order to effectively clean your hands. Coldwater can clean hands as well as hot water, as long as we stick to proper handwashing techniques.
FDA clearly specifies the guidelines on proper handwashing techniques.
Clean hands keep away flu
Colds and flu are common illnesses. According to research, regular handwashing can effectively keep these illnesses at bay. But the secret is the frequency of washing hands and using the correct method to wash hands.
We must also remember to keep a quality hand sanitizer with us, especially in case there is no water available to wash hands. But, then again, hand sanitizers are only effective if you use them properly.
If you already have the flu, you can stop the spread of the infection by using a hand sanitizer. Every time you sneeze, remember to sanitize your hands. This will help others who are vulnerable to this illness to be safe.
Even if you are not suffering from the flu, it is vital to wash hands at least seven times a day!
Dirty public spaces
A person who uses public transport is highly likely to come in contact with germs. The railings and the seats are full of germs. It is highly advisable to wash your hands immediately after getting off the bus or subway.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) is another germ-infested zones. To be frank, the keypads are quite dirty. This is why it is wise to keep hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Another place that is swarming with germs is your office keyboard and desk. In general, office spaces are dirty. They are full of harmful micro-organisms. According to the Global Hygiene Council, a person who works in an office is twice as likely to get sick than a person who works from home.
Handwashing works to keep diseases at bay. It can even safeguard us from life-threatening illnesses. All we have to know is, how to do it right.