protect Yourself:โฃ Properโ Handwashing Crucial as Flu Seasonโ Intensifies
Health โofficials are bracing for what they are โฃcalling the worstโ flu season in a decade,making diligent hygiene practices more important than ever. While โoften considered a simple act, handwashing’s effectiveness hinges on how it’s done.Improper technique can leave you vulnerable to infection, โฃdespiteโค your โขbest efforts.
Effective โคhandwashing requires โฃmore than a swift rinse. It’s vital to thoroughly clean not only โคthe palms,โข but also the backs of hands, between โfingers, under fingernails, thumbs, โขand wrists – areas where bacteria accumulate most readily. โKeeping fingernails โtrimmed short also aidsโ in preventing infections. The process should take at least 30 seconds.
Expertsโข emphasizeโฃ that handwashing isn’t merely about cleanliness; it’sโฃ a “scientific โขact that blocks the โspread of viruses.” the โsurfactant in soap worksโ by destroying the virus envelope and inactivating it.
Hand Sanitizer: Aโฃ Supplement, Not a Substitute
The use of hand sanitizerโข has increased since โthe COVID-19 pandemic, offering a convenient option โฃwhenโ soap and โwater aren’t available. Though, sanitizers โคaren’t a โคcomplete replacement.โข Products containing over 60% alcohol can kill many bacteria and viruses, but their effectiveness diminishes onโฃ oily or dusty hands.
If hands are visibly soiled or have been in โcontact with food, washing with soapโค and water is โessential. Hand sanitizer should be considered an “auxiliary means”โฃ for situations โwhere water isn’tโ accessible,such as during โcommutes โor after using public transportation.
When to โWash: Key Moments โfor Hygiene
Numerous situationsโข call forโ handwashing. It’s crucial toโข wash upon โreturning home, before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing orโ sneezing, and after using โฃpublic transportation. Individuals who frequently touch their faces should prioritize more frequent handwashing.
The Korea Disease โControl and Prevention Agency recommends washing hands at โฃleast eight times daily. Studies demonstrate โthat consistent handwashing can reduce the incidence of infectious diseasesโ by up to 40%.
Beyond Temperature: Focus on Time โคand Technique
Contrary โto popular belief, hot โwater isn’t necessarily more effective at โฃkilling germs. “Amount of soap bubbles” and “rubbing time” are far more โคcritically โimportant than water temperature. Excessively hotโ water can โฃdamage the skin’s natural oil film,โฃ causing dryness โand โmicroscopic wounds that canโข allow bacteria โขto penetrate. Lukewarm or cold water is sufficient.
Thorough dryingโฃ with aโ clean towel โor disposable tissue โis also essential, as wet hands are more susceptible to re-contamination.โ Applying moisturizerโ after โขwashing helps prevent โคdryness.
Six Steps to Proper Handwashing:
- Place โขpalmsโ together and rub.
- Rub palmsโ and backs of hands.
- Rub between fingers.
- Wipe by rubbing fingers together.
- Swipe thumb with opposite hand.
- Rub thoroughly under nails and wrists.
Repeat these steps for โapproximately 30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly with running water. Moisturizing โคafterward is โฃa beneficial finalโฃ step.
