Doâs and donâts of hand washing
Written by Douglas Brooks
- Before you start preparing food or start eating
- When you are treating your wounds, or you are caring for any patient
- Before and after inserting contact lenses
- Using the toilet, changing the diaper, and helping someone to use the toilet
- After blowing the nose, coughing, and sneezing
- Touching animals, animal food, or their waste
- When handling garbage
Do’s of handwashing
- Wet your hands thoroughly before you start washing. Whether the water you are using is warm or cold is not essential. You have to ensure that the hands are wet before you apply soap.
- Wet your hands thoroughly before you start washing. Whether the water you are using is warm or cold is not essential. You have to ensure that the hands are wet before you apply soap.
- Apply any mild soap on to the hands. Now start rubbing vigorously so lather forms quickly. You must devote at least 20 seconds to the entire process of washing.
- When working the lather, you have to see that it covers the entire area of your hand. This will include your wrist, palms, between fingers, and under the fingernails.
- Rinse the hands very carefully. Make sure that you have eliminated all traces of soap from your hands.
- Now dry your hands with a paper towel or an eye dryer.
Don’ts of handwashing
rnYou should avoid Use of hot water for handwashing. When we use hot water, chances of your hands getting chapped or dry increase. Since washing hands frequently is so important, it is better to stay away from hot water. When you are lathering your hands, do not run water over your hands. Suppose you do that; the whole purpose of handwashing would be defeated. If you run water over the lathering, the germ-killing ability of your soap is wasted. rnAlso, touching the surface of the sink during the process is a strict no-no. The sink may have some germs, and you would not be able to get rid of them just by washing hands. Do not skip handwashing if you do not have soap and water. The least you can do is to use an alcohol-based sanitizer, which has almost the same effect.Conclusion
rnWith Coronavirus striking, the need to wash hands has gained prominence. To avoid making any mistakes in the same use the above tips. If you religiously wash your hands regularly, the chances of any contamination reduce to quite an extent. This, though, does not mean that you may ignore the other precautions. It is just a simple way to stay safe and healthy during trying times.Article author
About the Author
I am a writer and traveller
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