Due to COVID-19, hand washing and mask-wearing have become integral to daily routines. However, a concerning trend is emerging: a growing complacency towards these preventive measures. With the increasing list of preventive guidelines, some individuals are beginning to overlook the significance of hand washing, often opting for hand sanitizers when hand washing conditions are not met or when they feel lazy. In this article, we have taken a closer look at the effects of hand washing versus using hand sanitizers and the importance of proper hand washing methods.
You should wash your hands after using the bathroom
Some individuals neglect to wash their hands after urinating in the bathroom because they find it bothersome. Not only is this unhygienic, but it can also pose health risks. While urine is initially sterile as it originates from the kidneys, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria once expelled from the body. Also, many bacteria proliferate in the toilet, so if urine splashes, those bacteria can be transferred to your hands. Even if one doesn’t urinate, hand washing after bathroom use is crucial due to the potential transmission of viruses from contaminated surfaces like handles, mirrors, and faucets.
Why Should You Also Wash Your Hands Repeatedly When Cooking?
Washing raw food in the sink can transfer bacteria. But did you know that if you do not wash your hands between touching food ingredients, you can introduce more bacteria? To maintain food hygiene, it’s essential to wash hands thoroughly and frequently throughout the cooking process, as well as the ingredients.
Hand Sanitizer VS Hand Soap
Hand sanitizer and hand soap serve different purposes due to their distinct ingredients and formulations. Hand sanitizer is a non-prescription drug designed to sterilize and disinfect the skin to prevent infection, while hand soap is a cosmetic designed for hand cleaning and hygiene. Hand sanitizers come in gel or liquid form and can sterilize and disinfect without water. Common antibacterial ingredients in hand sanitizers include ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, which denature bacterial proteins and deform the lipids. On the other hand, hand soap is available in liquid or solid form, which naturally washes away bacteria and viruses attached to the skin by removing the oil layer on the skin.
Reducing Respiratory Diseases by Simply Washing Hands
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that proper hand washing is as effective in preventing respiratory diseases as self-vaccination. People who wash their hands properly have a very low probability of getting infected with colds or viruses compared to those who do not. Can’t you tell the effectiveness just by considering that many people have not caught a cold? They frequently wash their hands and wear masks to reduce the transmission of illnesses.
How to Wash Hands Properly
Rub the palms of your hands together, interlace your fingers, and rub them together. Also, thoroughly scrub the back and palm of your hands, then use your thumbs to rotate and rub the palm of the other hand. After that, interlock your fingers and wash them, and finally, finish by thoroughly cleaning under your fingernails by rubbing your fingers.
What Happens if You Wash Your Hands More Than 6 Times a Day?
Research suggests that washing your hands 6 to 10 times a day can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus. A study divided the participants into three groups: those who washed their hands 0 to 5 times, those who washed 6 to 10 times, and those who washed more than 10 times. The results showed that the risk of contracting the coronavirus decreased by about 36% for those who washed their hands 6 to 10 times. Regular hand washing is a relatively simple yet easy and effective preventive measure against the coronavirus, so the importance of hand washing cannot be overemphasized.
There’s a Part That Doesn’t Wash Well Even if You Wash Properly
Despite its importance, hand washing may sometimes miss certain areas, such as the fingertips, under the nails, and the backs of the hands. To thoroughly wash the unwashed fingertips, under the nails, and the back of the hands, it is good to adhere to the six steps of the proper hand-washing technique mentioned above. In addition, you should get into the habit of washing your hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
Can You Use the Dirty Soap in the Public Bathroom?
When you use a public bathroom, you often see dirty soap. In many cases, you may have washed your hands only with water. While the soap’s appearance may be unappealing, the bacteria on it disappear while you are using it. Thus, soap is more effective than solely rinsing with water, even if the soap appears unclean.
Precautions When Using Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers contain alcohol, about four times stronger than the disinfectant used for surgery in ophthalmology. Therefore, if it gets into the eyes, it can cause burns and other damage. Thus, it’s essential to handle hand sanitizer with care, particularly around children, to prevent accidental ingestion or contact with the eyes. Additionally, overusing hand sanitizer can dry your hands as the moisture remaining on your hands evaporates. To prevent dryness, you should frequently apply moisturizer after using hand sanitizer.
How Should You Dry Your Hands After Washing Them?
While washing your hands is important, the drying process is equally important. If you wash your hands indoors, use a clean towel to thoroughly dry them. Outdoors, use a paper towel over a hand dryer. The wind from the hand dryer can disperse moisture and virus particles into the air and can potentially spread germs. Thus, using a paper towel to remove as many virus particles on your hands as possible is recommended.
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