Our hands are the most common carriers of pathogens. Washing your hands properly protects and keeps you healthy! We explain how you do it best according to the World Health Organization (WHO)!
No topic is currently more topical than the Corona virus. Canisters of disinfectant are being bought in a panic. But that is not even necessary.
At least not if you have access to water and soap.
Because washing hands properly is mega effective and flushes germs, viruses, bacteria and other contaminants quite simply down the drain.
Very important: Never touch your face with your hands! Except for washing your face.
Of course, here too, the first thing to do is to wash your hands properly and then your face.
In addition to the coronavirus, many other viruses are also transmitted via our hands. Such as influenza, colds, gastrointestinal infections of all kinds or Pfeiffer's glandular fever.
Table of contents
Why is that so important?
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Pathogens of all kinds reach our mucous membranes through our hands. And thus into our body. Therefore, always keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes.
Unfortunately, it often happens quite automatically that we run our fingers over our face. Either because we are thinking, supporting our head or scratching ourselves.
And the mishap has already happened. These routines are difficult to stop altogether.
But if you focus on washing your hands properly, it's only half as bad.
Ideally, however, you should refrain from reaching into your face even if you wash your hands.
How to prevent the gastrointestinal virus!
Why washing hands properly is so important
Yes, but I always rinse my hands automatically after using the toilet. That's good in principle. But you're not safe with that.
Washing your hands and fingers regularly will protect you and others from germs.
By using soap and water, you greatly reduce the number of germs on your hands. Studies say that the pathogens can be reduced to up to one thousandth.
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Because there are now far fewer bacteria, germs and viruses on your hands, you can now ingest very few. Even if you accidentally touch your face or eat a snack with your hands.
In times when there are many pathogens on the way, you protect not only yourself, but also friends, family and everyone around you. Especially those who have a weak immune system.
That washing hands properly is the most effective weapon against waves of disease has been proven in countless studies.
Now let's assume that everyone washes their hands. We could all stay healthy and be much less afraid of infections.
This is how you strengthen your immune system in the long term!
Proper hand washing according to WHO works in 5 steps
Actually, it is quite logical. Hands, water, done. Or?
Well, no. Taking it so lightly is the biggest mistake you can make. Keep a few things in mind to be on the safe side.
1. running water
Hold your hands under running water.
You should choose the temperature so that it is comfortable for you. If the water is too hot or too cold, you probably won't last long enough.
So you're right on target with lukewarm water.
If your hands are wet all over, turn off the faucet to save water.
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2. soap to wash hands properly
Absolutely essential and the most important point!
Whether liquid soap or solid bars of soap are better depends on how many want to wash their hands with it.
At home, feel free to use solid soap. For public sinks, liquid soap is a better choice. One tsp of liquid soap is just the right amount for adults.
You're in a public restroom and there's no soap?
Well, then you should at least rinse your fingers with water. That's not as effective, but for now it's better than not at all.
Washing your hands properly without soap is so difficult because it doesn't get rid of dirt and microbes.
If you use soap, you automatically wash your hands more intensively. After all, you want to get the slimy mass off your fingers.
Many pathogens hide under the greasy film of the skin. This can only be dissolved with soap.
If you don't have soap or know you'll have to go to the bathroom in public restrooms, it pays to have a sanitizer handy.
3. properly soap the hands
Soap your hands thoroughly. And both the palm, the back of the hand, the fingertips and the interdigital spaces.
And very important: the thumbs - most people simply forget about them.
If you have long fingernails, many germs collect here. So try to get enough soap under your fingernails as well.
Soap the hands at least 20 seconds - better 30 seconds long in!
The WHO recommends the following procedure
- Rub the hands together with the palms. And do so until the soap foams.
- Place the right palm over the back of the left hand. Clean the spaces between the fingers with interlaced fingers.
- Change the position of the hands.
- Clean the spaces between your fingers from the other side. Your palms lie on top of each other.
- Interlace the fingertips with each other. The backs of the fingers point to the other palm.
- Clasp the left thumb with the right hand. Rub in the soap in a rotating motion. Change the hand.
- Rub the fingertips on the palm of the other hand.
According to surveys, however, only about 1/3 of people really wash their hands for that long. Most only hold them under running water for a very short time.
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As a result, you do not reduce the germs on your fingers, or only reduce them slightly. This increases the risk of getting sick and infecting others as a disease carrier.
If you have heavily soiled hands from gardening or the like, 20 seconds is obviously not enough. 20 to 30 seconds is the value for washing hands that seem clean in everyday life.
4. rinse hands
Turn the water tap on again. Rinse your hands thoroughly with water.
If you're in a public restroom, either turn off the water with your elbows or use a piece of disposable paper.
Because, of course, there are also plenty of germs lurking on the tap.
5. dry and ready
Now it's time for the final step. Dry your hands properly. You can use paper, an air hand dryer or a towel at home.
If you are at home, do not forget to change the towel every other day. Wash the towels regularly at 60°.
And you're done.
But why is drying so important anyway?
Damp hands and environments provide the perfect environment for microorganisms of all kinds. The sooner hands are dry after washing, the lower the risk.
By the way, when you dry off, you scrub additional germs from your fingers.
If you want to take a closer look, you can do so here in the video of the World Health Organization
When hand washing is important
First and foremost, wash your hands regularly. You should wash them not only when they are visibly dirty.
Because we can't detect pathogens with our eyes. That's why you should get into the habit of certain routines.
Always wash your hands,
after you
- just came home
- were on the toilet
- wiped your nose, sneezes or coughs
- had contact with animals
before you
- eats anything
- wash your face
- take medication
before and after the
- Cooking, especially if you prepare meat or fish
- you have contact with sick people
- you treat a wound
How incorrect hand washing damages the skin
Do not wash your hands 100 times a day. Even though washing your hands properly protects against infections, you can overdo it.
Washing hands too often, washing with water that is too hot or with harsh detergents ruins our skin.
You destroy the acid mantle that protects our skin.
This can cause them to dry out skin and become cracked, brittle.
Therefore, you should use a hand wash with a neutral pH. Regularly apply moisturizer to your hands.
When you should disinfect your hands and when washing is enough
Disinfecting hands is not necessary in most cases. If your fingers are visibly dirty, disinfectant will not help.
If you're out somewhere and don't have a way to wash your hands, it makes sense to have a little disinfectant in your pocket.
Even if a family member is ill, disinfecting the hands may be appropriate. Especially when it comes to gastrointestinal diseases.
Or when you visit someone in the hospital.
In normal everyday life, you can do without it. Washing your hands properly makes more sense. It does not dry out the fingers so much and removes enough germs and pathogens.
Our conclusion
Washing your hands properly is important to flush germs and pathogens down the drain. This protects not only yourself, but everyone with whom you are in contact.
Wash your fingers regularly with soap and water and do not touch your face. Then you are on the safe side!
Stay healthy and all the best for you!
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