How to Wash Hands Properly: The Key to Protecting Yourself and Others from Germs
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when you touch your face, prepare or eat food with unwashed hands, touch contaminated surfaces, and come into contact with respiratory and diarrheal infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important to wash your hands at key times such as before touching your face, after leaving a public place, and after touching frequently touched objects.
Follow the five steps of handwashing: wet your hands, apply soap, lather and scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizers are effective but may not eliminate all types of germs and are less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Key Takeaways:
- Washing your hands properly is crucial for protecting yourself and others from germs.
- Germs can be spread through person-to-person contact and contaminated surfaces.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to wash your hands at key times.
- Follow the five steps of handwashing: wet, soap, lather, rinse, and dry.
- If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The Importance of Handwashing for Health and Hygiene
Handwashing is an easy and effective way to protect yourself and others from illnesses like food poisoning, flu, and COVID-19. Proper hand hygiene can lower the rates of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections by up to 23% and 48% respectively.
Washing hands removes dirt, viruses, and bacteria, preventing them from spreading to other people and objects. It is recommended to wash your hands after using the toilet, before and after handling food, after blowing your nose or coughing, before and after treating a cut or wound, and after touching animals or their waste.
The Role of Handwashing in Preventing the Spread of Diseases
Respiratory infections, such as the flu, and gastrointestinal infections, like food poisoning, can be prevented by practicing good hand hygiene. When you wash your hands, you eliminate germs that may have been picked up from contaminated surfaces or transmitted by touching your face.
By practicing good hand hygiene, you can help stop the spread of infections not only in your community but also in healthcare settings. Healthcare-associated infections can be reduced significantly when healthcare workers and patients adhere to proper handwashing protocols.
| Respiratory Infections | Gastrointestinal Infections |
|---|---|
| Lower rates by up to 23% | Lower rates by up to 48% |
| Flu, colds, COVID-19 | Food poisoning, norovirus |
When to Wash Your Hands
To ensure effective handwashing, it’s essential to know when to wash your hands. You should wash your hands:
- After using the toilet
- Before and after handling food
- After blowing your nose or coughing
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After touching animals or their waste
By following these guidelines, you can keep yourself and those around you safe and healthy by preventing the spread of diseases through hand transmission.
How to Wash Your Hands Correctly: Steps to Follow
Proper handwashing technique is crucial in preventing the spread of germs and keeping yourself and others safe. Follow these seven steps recommended by the CDC and WHO to ensure you wash your hands correctly:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water.
- Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands.
- Lather and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub all surfaces, including your palms, back of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.
- Use a towel to turn off the faucet to avoid recontamination.
It’s important to remember that proper handwashing goes beyond a quick rinse. Thoroughly clean all surfaces of your hands, fingers, and wrists to ensure you remove dirt, viruses, and bacteria effectively.
When it comes to choosing soap, regular soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap. There is no evidence to suggest that water temperature affects the quality of handwashing, so you can use cool or lukewarm water. And don’t forget to wash your hands in situations where you’re more likely to acquire or transmit germs, such as before and after handling food, after coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom, and before entering healthcare settings.
Handwashing Steps in Action
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Wet your hands with clean, running water. |
| Step 2 | Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands. |
| Step 3 | Lather and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub all surfaces, including your palms, back of hands, between fingers, and under nails. |
| Step 4 | Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water. |
| Step 5 | Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them. |
| Step 6 | Use a towel to turn off the faucet to avoid recontamination. |
By following these handwashing steps and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can help reduce the spread of germs, protect yourself and others, and contribute to a healthier community.
Hand Sanitizer as an Alternative to Soap and Water
When soap and water are not readily available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used as an alternative. Hand sanitizers quickly reduce the number of germs on hands, but they may not eliminate all types of germs, especially when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
The steps to using hand sanitizer are simple: apply the gel product to one hand, rub hands together, rub the gel over all surfaces until dry (around 20 seconds). It is important to note that hand sanitizers should contain skin conditioners to prevent dryness, and swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning.
Hand sanitizers are effective against various pathogens, including the flu virus, HIV, hepatitis B and C, MRSA, and E.coli.
| Pathogen | Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizer |
|---|---|
| Flu Virus | Highly effective |
| HIV | Highly effective |
| Hepatitis B and C | Highly effective |
| MRSA | Highly effective |
| E.coli | Highly effective |
By having a portable and convenient option like hand sanitizer, you can maintain good hand hygiene even when soap and water are not accessible. However, it is essential to note that hand sanitizers should not completely replace handwashing with soap and water, especially in situations where hands are visibly dirty or after using the restroom.
Maintaining Healthy Skin while Practicing Good Hand Hygiene
Frequent handwashing is essential for protecting yourself and others from germs, but it can take a toll on your skin. To keep your skin healthy while practicing good hand hygiene, follow these skin care tips:
1. Use moisturizing soap: Opt for a gentle, moisturizing soap when washing your hands. This will help prevent your skin from drying out and becoming damaged. Look for soaps that contain ingredients like glycerin or shea butter, as they can help retain moisture.
2. Wash with cool or lukewarm water: Avoid using hot water when washing your hands, as it can strip away natural oils and cause further dryness. Instead, use cool or lukewarm water to cleanse your hands. This will help maintain the natural moisture balance of your skin.
3. Choose alcohol-based hand sanitizers with skin conditioners: If you need to use hand sanitizer, opt for alcohol-based ones that contain skin conditioners. These additives help prevent dryness and keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Remember, plain soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap, so there’s no need to use older bottles of antibacterial soap that have been banned by the FDA. Stick to regular liquid or bar soap and follow proper hand drying techniques to maintain healthy skin while practicing good hand hygiene.
FAQ
How long should I wash my hands for?
It is recommended to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
When should I wash my hands?
You should wash your hands before and after touching your face, after leaving a public place, and after touching frequently touched objects.
Can hand sanitizers replace handwashing?
Hand sanitizers can be used when soap and water are not available, but they are less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Can hot water be used for handwashing?
It is recommended to use cool or lukewarm water for handwashing, as hot water can be drying to the skin.
Is regular soap as effective as antibacterial soap?
Yes, regular soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap in removing dirt, viruses, and bacteria from your hands.
Are alcohol-based hand sanitizers effective against viruses?
Yes, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol are effective against various pathogens, including the flu virus and hepatitis B and C.
How can I prevent dry skin from frequent handwashing?
Use moisturizing soap, wash with cool or lukewarm water, and apply moisturizers with occlusive, humectant, and emollient ingredients.
Should I use older bottles of antibacterial soap?
No, there is no need to use older bottles of antibacterial soap that have been banned by the FDA. Regular liquid or bar soap is just as effective.
