Mastering Hand Hygiene: A 20-Second Habit With Soap And Water Is The Best Shield Against Germs

COURTESY PHOTO

We all know that bacteria and viruses trigger infections that can be serious and even life-threatening. These germs are easily spread when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces, and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes, allowing the malicious microbes to enter your body and make you ill.

Consider all the objects you touch in a typical day. These include doorknobs, elevator buttons, ATMs, touchscreens and cellphones, to name a few. When you touch these objects, any germs on their surfaces are transferred to your hands. Then you touch your face.

Think you don’t? The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology estimates that people touch their face at least 23 times an hour!

Frequent hand-washing is a powerful tool for avoiding getting sick and spreading germs to others. The first full week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to take our parents’ admonitions to heart and revisit the healthy habit of washing our hands.

Hand-washing can protect you from respiratory infections such as pneumonia and gastric infections that cause diarrhea. These conditions can be deadly for some people, including older individuals, those with weakened immune systems, infants and children. In fact, about 1.8 million children younger than 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which are the top two killers of children worldwide.

It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet or changing a baby’s diaper because feces can get on your hands. Studies show that a single gram of human feces, which is about the weight of a paper clip, can contain 1 trillion germs. Other times you should wash your hands include:

• When your hands are visible dirty.
• Before, during and after preparing food.
• Before eating.
• Before and after caring for a sick person.
• Before and after treating a burn or wound.
• Before inserting and removing contact lenses.
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• After touching or feeding your pet, walking your dog and handling animal waste.
• After touching garbage.
• After handling money.

Washing your hands with soap and water has been found to eliminate more germs than washing with water alone. The steps for washing hands effectively include::

1. Rinse your hands under clean running water at a comfortable temperature. Hot water isn’t more effective at killing germs than cold water.
2. Apply the soap of your choice. It doesn’t matter if you use bar soap, liquid or foam. Antibacterial soap is not necessary to use every day outside of health care facilities.
3. Lather up for 20 seconds. Be sure to get in between your fingers, on the back of your hands and wrists, and under your nails, where germs collect
4. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

If you’re using a public restroom, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to turn the door handle when leaving.

When running water and soap are unavailable, you can clean your hands on the go using hand sanitizer. Be sure to choose one that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Ethanol alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are both acceptable.

When using a hand sanitizer, place a generous amount on your hands and vigorously rub it into both hands. Make sure to cover all areas, including your wrists and under your nails. Continue rubbing until your hands air dry.

If frequent handwashing dries your skin, consider using a moisturizing soap, such as glycerin, or a hand cream or lotion after washing to keep your skin smooth and moist.

Washing your hands only takes 20 seconds. It may be the best time you devote to your health, and the health of others.