"Wash your hands" is a commonly yelled phrase from parents to children, but it is good advice to everyone---and not just to keep them from looking dirty. Healthy handwashing is a simple yet effective method that helps prevent and stop the spread of disease and illness.
Statistics
According to a 2009 Bradley Corp. survey, 87 percent of people said they washed their hands after using a public bathroom, with 55 percent saying they've only rinsed and not used soap. The survey also reveals that 68 percent of parents believe their children are washing their hands properly at school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that with 22 million school days lost every year due to colds and flu viruses, healthy handwashing among school-aged children is imperative to stop the spread of illness and loss of productivity. Also, an estimated 25 to 40 percent of foodborne illnesses are due to poor hygiene and lack of hand washing, according to the Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Health Smart website.
How To
The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. To start, wet your hands with warm, running water and apply soap. Then rub your hands together in a scrubbing motion, making a lather and covering the entire hand surface front and back. Continue this movement for the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or the alphabet song. After 20 seconds, rinse your hands in the warm, running water. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If paper towel is available, use that to turn off the faucet.
Significance
The CDC states that washing your hands is the single best way to prevent illness and disease. Additionally, healthy handwashing with soap and water helps suspend the dirt and skin oils to trap bacteria. The washing motion then helps free the dirt and oil from the skin and warm water washes it away. The friction of rubbing your hands together removes even more germs.
Frequency
Healthy handwashing should be done multiple times a day and at specific intervals when dealing with food or hygiene issues. Wash your hands before cooking and preparing food, eating, cleaning a wound, touching someone who is sick, and putting in or taking out contacts. Wash your hands after touching any raw meat, using the bathroom, changing a diaper, touching an animal, coughing or sneezing, touching garbage, or touching someone who is sick.
Considerations
Sometimes warm water and soap isn't readily available. In this scenario, an alcohol-based sanitizing gel may be used. Apply the gel to the palm of one hand, rub the hands together, and cover both the front and back of hands until the fingers and hands are dry. When using a gel sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol, and scrub for at least 25 seconds, notes the Mayo Clinic.
