Sometimes, even adults don’t know the basic rules of hand hygiene. Now’s the time to fill in the blanks and make sure you’re doing everything right.
Hand hygiene has received intense attention during the coronavirus pandemic. Sanitizer prices have skyrocketed, and bottles of hand sanitizer have become increasingly common in public restrooms, alongside soap.
Few people are worried about COVID-19 anymore. However, as general hygiene specialist Elena Aleksandrova notes, there’s a compelling reason to keep your hands clean on a regular basis.
“Hand hygiene is the basis for the prevention of infectious diseases. There is no clear answer to the question of how many times a day one should wash their hands, as it depends on a person’s lifestyle and activities .However, there are general rules that are important for everyone to know,” the expert reminds.
In honor of Global Handwashing Day, we spoke with a doctor about what everyone needs to know about good hygiene.
Basic rules
It is always necessary to wash your hands:
- after using the toilet – this is critical to prevent the spread of bacteria;
- Before preparing food and before eating is a rule that must be followed wherever you eat (at home, in a cafe, or on the street);
- after coughing or sneezing, especially if you covered your mouth and nose with your hands, and after caring for someone who is sick, to protect yourself and others from spreading illness.
- after touching animals, their food or waste, animals can be carriers of various diseases;
- after working in the garden or vegetable garden, there are many microorganisms in the soil;
- after touching garbage, as it is a source of bacteria and viruses;
- After traveling on public transport, a lot of germs accumulate on the handrails and seats.
- after visiting public places (shops, clinics), since there is a high risk of contact with pathogenic microorganisms;
- before putting on and after removing contact lenses to prevent eye infection;
- If hands are visibly dirty (with dirt or sweat).
General recommendations for hand washing frequency
- This should be done at least 3-5 times a day, even if there are no obvious reasons listed above. If you are active, come into contact with a large number of people, or work in conditions with a high risk of contamination, wash your hands even more frequently.
- It is important to follow proper handwashing techniques: always use soap and water, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, thoroughly lathering all surfaces, including the areas between your fingers and under your nails.
- If it is not possible to wash your hands with soap and water, you can use an antiseptic.
Don’t kill all bacteria
Is it necessary to always use antiseptics after every hand wash? No, even more than that, frequent use of these products can be harmful.
Antiseptic is useful in situations where there is no access to soap and water, such as on the road and in public places where hygiene is questionable.
But you shouldn’t overuse antiseptics for the following reasons:
- can dry and irritate the skin of the hands, leading to microcracks and an increased risk of infection;
- effective against microbes, but does not remove visible dirt and organic matter;
- Excessive use of antiseptics can contribute to the development of bacteria resistant to them.
What about antibacterial soap? Doctors may recommend it in certain cases—for example, after surgery or for skin infections—and always specify the frequency of its use.
In other situations, it is not worth using it permanently because:
- Antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap in preventing the spread of infections.
- It kills not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria that live on the skin and protect a person from infections.
- As with antiseptics, frequent use of antibacterial soap can contribute to the development of bacteria that become resistant to it.
Moisturize your skin
Due to the popularity of sanitizers during the pandemic, public restrooms are often stocked with hand cream. Does this mean I should use it after every wash?
There are no hard and fast rules. Whether or not to apply hand cream depends on several factors, including your skin type, how often you wash your hands, and the characteristics of the soap you use. It’s important to listen to your skin’s needs and use cream only when truly necessary.
During the cold season or with frequent use of harsh detergents, skin can lose its natural oils, leading to dryness, flaking, and irritation. This cream will help combat this, restoring skin elasticity and reducing the risk of damage. This isn’t just a matter of beauty, but also of health: cracks in the skin can also become entry points for infection.
In general, healthy skin with adequate hydration is better able to protect itself from harmful environmental factors, including germs and allergens, so using cream most often makes sense.
HoweverSome people have naturally oilier skin and are more resistant to dehydration, so they may not need to moisturize after every hand wash.
Besides, cream may not be required when using mild soap with moisturizing ingredients.
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The choice is yours
Which type of soap is better to keep at home—liquid or bar soap? It’s largely a matter of personal preference, but each type has its pros and cons that are worth considering.
- Liquid soap is more hygienic because it’s typically stored in a closed dispenser, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination compared to bar soap, which can remain moist and exposed to air and surfaces. Furthermore, such soaps often contain moisturizing ingredients, making them gentler on the skin. However, some types of liquid soap contain more chemical additives, preservatives, and fragrances than solid soaps.
- Bar soap often has a more natural composition —free of dyes, fragrances, and preservatives. However, it is less hygienic and can accumulate bacteria on the surface, especially if stored in a damp soap dish. In some cases, it may cause dry skin. — for example, if the soap contains aggressive detergents, such as alkalis and synthetic surfactants.
