In times of Corona, hand washing is more necessary than ever. But when it comes to thoroughness, some are not so specific. Ultraviolet images show drastically how many germs can be found on the hands, depending on how thoroughly you wash them.
80 percent of all infectious diseases are spread through the hands. This is often made easy for them. Because we touch our faces every four minutes, often with unwashed hands, this is THE chance for viruses to spread through our mucous membranes. Millions of pathogens are lurking to make us sick. The coronavirus, in particular, is currently an acute danger. This is why handwashing is more important than ever to reduce the risk of infection.
May 5th Is WHO World Hand Hygiene Day
To raise awareness of this, the World Health Organization (WHO ) launched World Hand Hygiene Day and International Hand Washing Day. It is celebrated annually on May 5th, for the first time on May 5th, 2009. The International Handwashing Day takes place annually on October 15th. It was first committed in 2008.
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Hand Washing: The Proper Method
It is not only necessary that we wash our hands, but also how and for how long. In any case, just running the water and rubbing your hands two or three times is not enough. They then look clean, but they are not aseptic. If you want to destroy microorganisms, you have to wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends singing the song “Happy Birthday” twice. This time is approximately the recommended washing time.
Bacterial Load In Ultraviolet Light
Handwashers could be convinced by the following Instagram post, which shows the germ load of hands in ultraviolet light – from unwashed hands to hands that were washed for five seconds and without soap to hands that were washed with soap for 30 seconds.
Be Sure To Use Soap
Liquid soaps or washing lotions are an essential part of handwashing because water alone does not kill germs. And this is how it works:
- Wet your hands, lather them – don’t forget the back of your hands, spaces between your fingers, fingertips, and thumbs – because that’s where the germs collect.
- Rub and rub thoroughly.
- Wash off well under running water.
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Wash Hands: The More Often, The Better
It is also important to dry your hands well after washing, preferably with a disposable towel in public toilets. Because microorganisms thrive particularly well where it is damp, for example, infrequently used towels. They’re just as unsanitary as bars of soap. Soap dispensers are much more hygienic. With the soap pumped out, you can be sure that it is untouched.
Frequency is at least as important as washing your hands correctly: Wash your hands several times a day, for example, after using the toilet, before cooking and eating, after blowing your nose, or when you come home. To reduce contact with microorganisms, it is advisable to wipe computer keyboards or telephone receivers more often and change kitchen towels regularly.
Do Not Rub, Do Not Cream Too Much
In addition, avoid chewing your fingernails or rubbing your eyes, as pathogens can easily be transferred from your hands to the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose, and mouth. Frequent hand washing has one unpleasant side effect: the skin dries out. Therefore it is best to apply the cream to your hands from time to time. But don’t do this too often because bacteria like to romp around on greasy surfaces on tables and keyboards.
Hygiene Tips
- Wash hands regularly for at least 20-30 seconds – with liquid soap and paper towels.
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands.
- Sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm to avoid infecting others.
- Throw used tissues in the toilet, not in the trash can.
- Stay at home if you have flu symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
- If there are flu sufferers at work: disinfect door handles, railings, and computer keyboards.
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