The dark and cold season arrives and with it comes the flu and cold season again, which everyone tries to survive as best they can unscathed and healthy. Washing hands is essential to get rid of germs. In fact, the most effective measure to protect yourself from infectious diseases is to wash your hands regularly.
Hand washing – indispensable in many work areas
It is not only medical staff who have to do with the care of patients who have to take care of adequate hand hygiene. In the food industry, in public institutions such as kindergartens and schools, as well as in the construction industry, it is also essential to pay attention to proper hand hygiene. Don't give dirt, grime and bacteria a chance by washing your hands regularly.
Washing hands – a finger game
Whether at work or on the way there, at home, in the subway or in the stairwell: Hands come into contact with countless germs every day. This does not pose a health risk, but many people touch their faces (often unconsciously) several times a day. In this way, pathogens and germs enter the body unhindered via the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes and can trigger infectious diseases such as colds, flu or gastrointestinal infections. The risk of contracting an infectious disease can be minimized by washing your hands regularly. Washing your hands properly is a finger game if you know what to look out for. The protection professionals explain how proper hand washing works:
Step 1: Moisten hands with water
Hold hands under running water and moisten. Adjust the water temperature so that it is comfortable. Much more important than the temperature of the water is the duration of soaping and washing the hands when washing hands.
Step 2: Soap hands thoroughly
Rub hands with soap for 20 to 30 seconds. Washing hands is a real finger game in which the palms of the hands, the back of the hand and all fingers as well as spaces between the fingers must be taken into account. You should also think about the fingernails, because germs can collect here.
Step 3: Rinse hands with water
Wash off the soap under running water. If hands are washed in a public toilet, care should be taken to close the tap with the elbow or a disposable towel.
Step 4: Dry hands carefully
Hands should be dried carefully. In this way, germs that still stick to the hands after washing can be removed quickly and easily. In public toilets, disposable towels are particularly suitable for this purpose.
Washing hands – it's all about the timing
To protect yourself effectively, hands should be washed whenever you come to work or home. Hands should also be washed thoroughly after every visit to the toilet and also when sneezing, coughing or blowing one's nose. It is also recommended to wash your hands before preparing or eating food.
The protection professionals advise regular hand washing
Regular hand washing is a simple but efficient measure to minimize the transmission of infectious diseases. But hand washing should not be excessive, because incorrect or too frequent hand washing puts a strain on the skin and damages the natural skin barrier. To prevent the skin from drying out, the protection professionals recommend using pH-neutral soap when washing your hands and regularly applying a lipid-rich hand cream to your hands. Finally, it should be emphasized again that you not only protect yourself with regular hand washing, but also others. More information on proper hand washing can be found in another article by the protection professionals.