Hand washing is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick. Proper hand hygiene requires that all surfaces of the hand, including the backs of the hands, thumbs, wrists, nail beds, and between the fingers, be cleaned using either an Alcohol-based Hand Rub (ABHR) or soap and water. The following are some dos and donts of hand washing:
Dos:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Use soap and water or an ABHR to clean your hands.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds or longer to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned.
- Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.
Donts:
- Dont use hot water, as it can cause skin irritation and doesnt kill germs any better than warm water.
- Dont use non-alcohol-based hand rub products, as they are not effective against all types of bacteria.
- Dont touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, with unwashed hands.
Soap and friction help lift dirt, grease, and microbes, including disease-causing germs, from the skin so they can then be rinsed off of hands. When you wash your hands with soap and water, you surround any microorganisms on your skin with soap molecules. The hydrophobic tails of the free-floating soap molecules attempt to evade water; in the process, they wedge themselves into the lipid envelopes of certain microbes and viruses, prying them apart. In tandem, some soap molecules disrupt the chemical bonds that allow bacteria, viruses, and grime to stick to surfaces, lifting them off the skin.
The most important agents for scrubs and rubs are those that are effective against a broad range of microorganisms, have a rapid onset of action, and are well tolerated by the skin. Hand hygiene products that contain more than 60 percent alcohol are effective at removing some harmful bacteria from the skin. However, they dont help dissolve dirt and oils from your hands, and they are not effective against all types of bacteria.
In conclusion, hand washing is a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and avoid getting sick. It is important to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and water or an ABHR, and to dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.
