World Handwashing Day: Dos and Don’ts

Washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading diseases. Here we inform you about when and how to wash your hands properly.

When to wash your hands

Contact with other people, surfaces, and objects throughout the day causes germs to accumulate on your hands. , or transmit them to other people. While it is impossible for your hands to be germ-free, frequent hand washing can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.

Always wash your hands before doing the following:

• Prepare meals or eat
• Heal wounds or care for a sick person
• Putting on or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after doing the following:

• Prepare food
• Using the toilet, changing a diaper, or cleaning a child who has used the toilet
• Touching an animal, animal food, or animal waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Heal wounds or care for a sick person
• Handling garbage
• Handling pet food or pet treats

Also, wash your hands when they have visible dirt.

How to wash your hands

In general, over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are no more effective at killing germs than regular soap.

Take these steps:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water, either warm or cold.
• Apply the soap well and lather.
• Scrub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, the spaces between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Enjuágate well.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.

How to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers

They do not require water, they are an acceptable alternative when soap and water are not available. If you use a hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60% alcohol. Take these steps:

• Apply the gel product to the palm of your hand. Check the label for the appropriate amount.
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Children should also have clean hands

Help children stay healthy by encouraging them to wash their hands frequently. Wash your hands with your child to show him how to do it. To avoid being in a rush, suggest that she wash her hands during the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If your child can’t reach the sink by himself,

Make sure to supervise young children who use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. After use, keep the container in a safe place out of reach.

Washing your hands offers great rewards in terms of disease prevention. Adopting this habit can play an important role in protecting your health.

Mayo Clinic

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