Hand hygiene is important: Here are a few tips to do it correctly!
The importance of proper hand hygiene
“Wash your hands before eating!” Many of us heard that from our parents as children. We may have grumbled, but from an early age we learned how important it is to wash our hands. What we may not have learned, however, is why hand hygiene is so important.
“Hand hygiene” means removing and/or killing microorganisms (germs) on the hands. Proper handwashing is the most effective measure to prevent the spread of disease and to stay healthy. You can use either soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to effectively remove germs.
In healthcare settings, hand hygiene is required for everyone who works there or is present there to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses and to protect the health of patients and staff.
Why is handwashing so important?
Simply put: to help keep you and the people around you healthier, frequent handwashing or hand disinfection is essential. Washing hands with soap removes germs from the hands and helps prevent infections.
People often touch their faces — eyes, nose, mouth — without realizing it. By touching the face, germs can easily enter the body, so it’s important to have clean hands.
Germs that live on unwashed hands can be transferred to food and drinks during eating or cooking. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), some of these germs can multiply in certain types of food or drinks and make people ill.
Germs on your unwashed hands can be transferred to surfaces, for example to your children’s toys, handrails, or door handles.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing a particularly difficult time, and handwashing is more important than ever as we all try to stay healthy.
What is the proper technique for handwashing?
Thorough handwashing is essential to stay healthy. Fortunately, the correct technique for hand hygiene is fairly simple to learn. Follow these five simple steps to ensure your hands stay clean:
Remove any jewelry from your hands or arms. Wet your hands under running warm water.
Apply soap to your hands and rub them together to create a soapy lather. Do this for about 20 seconds (sing the song „Happy Birthday“!) and make sure the lather and soap solution remain in motion. Make sure to clean both the palms and the backs of your hands as well as between the fingers.
Rinse your hands under running warm water.
Dry your hands with a paper towel. Use the same towel to turn off the faucet.
What if I don’t have access to soap and water?
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the preferred method for cleaning hands when soap and water are not available. Make sure to use a sanitizer that contains more than 60% alcohol. These are widely used in healthcare settings – you will find them in the corridors of hospitals and other care facilities. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available in most grocery stores, supermarkets, and department stores.
When should I wash my hands?
You should practice handwashing every day. In general, you should wash your hands:
– when they are visibly dirty
– before and after preparing and handling food
– after using the toilet
– after contact with contaminated surfaces, e.g., trash bins, the subway, or other high-traffic areas
– after touching animals
– after blowing your nose or wiping your mouth
– before and after medical care or caring for a loved one
– before inserting your contact lenses
– before preparing medications
– when you return home from being in public (e.g., after shopping at the supermarket).
When should soap and water be used?
The mechanical action of washing, rinsing, and drying removes transient bacteria present on the hands. Handwashing with soap and running water should always be performed when the hands are visibly soiled.
Any type of soap is suitable – you do not need a special antibacterial soap (although that works too!) to wash your hands properly. If you share your home with others, you should use liquid soap.
Will I damage my skin if I wash my hands frequently?
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense when it comes to keeping it healthy. Therefore it is important to ensure that it is intact and free from wounds. To avoid dry, red, and cracked hands from frequent handwashing, you should wet your hands before applying the soap. Pat your hands dry instead of rubbing them on the (paper) towel used to dry them. Apply hand lotion frequently – you can also do this after washing if your hands need additional moisture.
Many alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain emollients to reduce skin irritation. Common mistakes in hand hygiene Handwashing is fairly simple, but there are still some things you should pay attention to to ensure you do it correctly and leave no room for viruses and bacteria on your hands. Remove any hand and wrist jewelry before washing.
-DO NOT use a single damp cloth to wash and dry your hands – disposable towels or paper towels are preferable for drying hands after washing.
-DO NOT use standing water to rinse your hands – running water is essential. -DO NOT use sponges or disposable cleaning wipes on your hands and leave it at that.
Children also need clean hands
Help your children stay healthy by encouraging them to wash their hands frequently. Wash your hands together with your child to show them how it’s done. To avoid rushing, suggest washing for as long as it takes to sing „Happy Birthday“ twice. If your child cannot reach the sink alone, keep a step stool ready.
Ensure small children are supervised when using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can lead to alcohol poisoning. Store the container securely after use.
Conclusion on hand hygiene
Germs thrive on moist surfaces, so use running water and soap or an alcohol-based disinfectant to do the job properly. Handwashing is a simple and effective way to remove germs and reduce the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Make sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially after leaving the house, handling food, or touching outdoor surfaces such as door handles, underpasses and railings.