Handwashing Why It's Important

7/29/2019 Handwashing Why It's Important

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Handwashing - why it's important

A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands,particularly gastrointestinal infections, influenza and hepatitis A. Washing your hands properly canhelp prevent the spread of the organisms that cause these diseases.

Some forms of gastroenteritis can cause serious complications, especially for young children, theelderly, or those with a weakened immune system. Drying your hands properly is as important aswashing them.

When to wash your hands

You should wash your hands thoroughly:

Before preparing food Before eating Between handling raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food After going to the toilet or changing nappies After smoking After using a tissue or handkerchief After handling rubbish or working in the garden After handling animals After attending to sick children or other family members.

How to wash your hands properlyTo wash hands properly:

Wet your hands with warm water. Apply one dose of liquid soap and lather (wash) well for 1520 seconds (or longer if the

dirt is ingrained). Rub hands together rapidly across all surfaces of your hands and wrists to help remove dirt

and germs. Dont forget the backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers and under your

fingernails. If possible, remove rings and watches before you wash your hands, or ensure you move

the rings to wash under them, as microorganisms can exist under them. Rinse well under running water and make sure all traces of soap are removed, as residues

may cause irritation. Pat your hands dry using paper towels (or single-use cloth towels). Make sure your hands

are thoroughly dry. Dry under any rings you wear, as they can be a source of future contamination if they

remain moist. Hot air driers can be used but, again, you should ensure your hands are thoroughly dry. At home, give each family member their own towel and wash the towels often.

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How to wash and dry hands with liquid soap and water (Click to open larger image)

Use warm water

Cold water is better than no water at all for a one-off hand wash, but should not be used forroutine handwashing. Soap lathers (soaps up) better with warm water. The active ingredients onthe surface of the soap are released more easily, making them more effective in cleaning yourhands of dirt, grease and oils, without stripping away the natural oils in your skin. Using cold or hotwater can also damage the skins natural oils. Over time, this can cause dermatitis.

Soap is important

Soap contains ingredients that will help to:

Loosen dirt on your hands. Soften water, making it easier to lather the soap over your hands. Rinse your hands, leaving no residues to irritate and dry your skin.

Soaps can have different pH they may be neutral, slightly alkaline or slightly acidic. Thats whysome soaps irritate some people and not others. Perfumes in soap can be another reason whysome people have skin reactions.

Liquid soap is best

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Generally, it is better to use liquid soap than bar soap, particularly at work. The benefits of liquidsoap include:

Hygiene it is less likely to be contaminated. Right amount liquid soap dispensers do not dispense more than required (more is not

better). Less waste its easier to use, with less wastage. Drop-in cassette dispensers use all the

soap.

Saves time liquid soap dispensers are easy and efficient to use.

Disposable liquid soap cassettes are convenient, as you do not have to wash and thoroughly drythe refillable container before refilling. If you want to use refillable containers, they must not betopped up. When they are empty, they must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before they arerefilled to avoid contamination.

At home, refillable dispensers are more likely to be used rather than drop-in cassettes, which aredesigned for commercial use.

The problems with bar soap particularly in public places

There are many reasons why bar soap can be a problem, particularly if its used by a lot of people.

These problems include:

Bar soap can sit in pools of water and become contaminated with many harmful germs. People are less likely to use bar soap if it is messy from sitting in water. Contaminated soap may spread germs and may be more harmful than not washing your

hands. Bar soap can dry out people are less likely to use it to wash their hands because it is

difficult to lather. Dried-out bar soap will develop cracks, which can harbour dirt and germs. Again, you may

be adding more harmful germs to your hands than you were trying to remove.

Its fine to use bar soap at home, but it might help to keep it on a soap rack (so its not sitting in apool of water) and change it if it becomes old and cracked.

Take care of your hands

Handwashing is only one part of hand hygiene. Looking after your skin generally is important, asyour skin is the perfect barrier against infection. After your hands have been dried thoroughly, youcan help to look after your hands if you:

Apply a water-based absorbent hand cream three to four times a day, or more frequently ifyour hands are constantly in water.

Use gloves to wash dishes to protect your hands. Use gloves when gardening to prevent a build-up of ingrained soil or scratches. Consult a doctor if a skin irritation develops or continues.

Where to get help

Your doctor Your local councils health department

Things to remember

Proper handwashing can protect you and others from a range of diseases. Liquid soap is better than bar soap, especially at work. Wash and dry your hands carefully.

This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:Department of Health - Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit



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Handwashing Why It's Important