The pandemic has taken personal hygiene a notch higher. The simplest way one can reduce your risk of catching the contagious disease is: washing your hands. There’s a reason why WHO reiterates basic hygiene; it works. While the broader population is fussing over hoarding masks, WHO and other health organizations suggest the contrary. While a mask might help stop the virus from spewing into the air, direct contact with the contaminated surface can spread the virus.
An average human being touches their face about 52 times a day, meaning your hands are the prime carriers of the virus. Our hands are prey to viruses because they come in contact with various surfaces a countless number of times, so it is essential to wash your hands frequently and correctly to stop the virus’s spread.
How often should you wash your hands?
You can keep you and your family safe by washing your hands as often as possible, particularly in these challenging times. Here are a few instances when you can wash your hands:
- Before and after eating
- After blowing nose or sneezing
- Before and after disposing of garbage
- Before and after removing your lenses or spectacles
- After feeding your pet
- After taking your pet out for a walk
- Before and after looking after a sick person
- After using the restroom
The health organizations suggest that one must wash their hands after two hours.
How can you wash your hands correctly?
Washing hands is the most inexpensive and effective way to stop the spread of a microbe. Clean hands can prevent contamination within your community as well as your home. A few studies in the recent past suggest that most people wash their hands too short to kill germs. Here are five steps one must follow for squeaky clean hands
- Wet your hands with water. Ensure the water is at a comfortable temperature. Close the tap to save water.
- Lather your hands with any soap. An antimicrobial soap provides no significant benefit and contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance.
- Massage the soap on the back of your hands, between the fingers, under the nails.
- Scrub for about 20-30 seconds before you start rinsing. Trust me; it’s longer than you think. Need a timer? Sing ‘happy birthday’ twice in your head.
- Turn the tap back on and rinse, rinse rinse!
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or, if possible, an air dryer. Make sure to dry your hands thoroughly. Wet hands are more susceptible sources of transfer of the virus.
Hand Wash vs. Sanitizers Who is better?
It is suggested that soap and water are the best way to disinfect your hands, you can’t soap everywhere; here’s when sanitizers come into play. Sanitizers are the new way of disinfecting your hands. Ensure to choose a sanitizer with 60% alcohol; you can check the alcohol content by going through the product label.
However, sanitizers
- Are not effective in getting rid of all types of germs
- Are not effective on too greasy or dirty hands
- Do not remove harmful chemicals, pesticides
How do you use a sanitizer?
Sanitizers are a gel-based solution that claims to provide 99.9% germ protection. Here’s how you can use a sanitizer effectively
- Take the required amount of sanitizer onto your palm. Make sure to check the product for the correct amount.
- Spread the gel on your palm thoroughly.
- Rub your hands till the gel dries, which would take about 20 seconds
- Voila! Your hands are now clean.
Washing hands might seem a chore to some, but in dangerous times these it becomes a necessity.
Comment and let us know your go-to hygiene product. Handwash, soaps, or sanitizers?