Hand washing practices and health benefits

Handwashing

Hand washing is the most fundamental step of hygiene. According to the Centes for Disease Control and Prevention, a million deaths per year could be prevented if everyone in the world washed their hands properly (CDC). Yet only five percent of people are actually washing their hands long enough and with the proper technique (Jaslow). As many as 15% of men do not wash their hands after using the bathroom! Women are better, but not by much. About seven percent of women do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. More women than men are prone to using soap too. Almost 80% of women, but only fifty percent of men, used soap in one study (Jaslow). Therefore, it is important to be reminded of the importance of hand washing, or why we do it, and also how to wash hands properly so that we are actually preventing disease.

Why Washing Hands is Important

First let's talk about why it is important to wash hands. Washing hands is almost like a vaccine, and in some cases can be considered even more effective because it can eliminate germs that cause a number of different diseases (CDC). The common cold, flu, and even diseases like SARS are spread by contact with hands, making hand washing important for health (Massachusetts Department of Public Health). Respiratory infections, diarrhea, Staphylococcus aureus, and trachoma are all problems that can be prevented by simply washing hands properly (CDC). In addition to saving lives and preserving health, hand washing helps reduce absenteeism in both workplaces and schools (CDC).

What is the Best Way to Wash Hands?

We have established why it is important to wash our hands. Let's also discuss how to do it properly, so we can continue to save lives. Washing hands is one of the simplest tasks you can do. All you need is soap and water. According to the CDC, the five basic steps are "Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry." First, you wet your hands thoroughly with water. Then, you apply soap and rub the hands together to make a lather or foam. This is the most important stage of hand washing, and also the stage that most people get wrong. According to Jaslow, people are not taking enough time to rub their hands together, and are ignoring their fingernails and the webbing between fingers. It is critical to spend at least 20 seconds rubbing the soap all over the hands. Finally, you can rinse off all the soap and dry thoroughly in a hygienic way. That means using an air dryer or an unused towel. If you want to be extra careful, you should use a clean paper towel to open the door after using the facilities. After all, with all those people around who aren't washing their hands, you should not be touching the bathroom door. That would undo all the hard work you did washing your hands.

How Often and When To Wash Hands

When is it important to wash our hands? And how often should we do it to maintain optimal hygiene? After all, we do not want to become compulsive hand washers, right? Well, if you are in the food industry, you need to wash your hands continually. Even if you are not, wash your hands each and every time you are about to prepare or eat food. It is particularly important to wash hands after being around a sick person, after touching the poles on subways, after changing a baby's diapers, handling animals, taking out the garbage, and after pressing elevator buttons (Massachusetts Department of Public Health). It is also important to wash hands immediately before doing things like putting in your contact lenses (Massachusetts Department of Public Health). Basically, wash your hands often. You really cannot wash them too often. If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, then it is important to find a hand sanitizer. I always find that carrying a hand sanitizer in my purse or in the car is helpful because sometimes public washrooms are insufficient. There are always times when the sanitizer comes in handy, and they kill germs too.

Conclusion

Washing hands refers to a very simple procedure whereby you use soap and water, or special products like hand sanitizers, to clean germs and bacteria off hands. Washing hands is important to prevent the spread of illness and disease. The proper way to wash hands is to rub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying. It is important to wash hands regularly, and especially after being in public and touching dirty things. Next time you do not wash your hands, remember, you could be killing someone.