Importance of Hand Washing According to WHO

Yes. There is a right and wrong way of handwashing, and to protect ourselves against sickness, it is important that we understand the proper way of doing it according to WHO (World Health Organization). It is beneficial to know the right kind of soap to use, the frequency you should follow, and how long you should be washing your hands.

How to Wash Your Hands

First, you want to wet your hand with water up to the wrist. The temperature of the water doesn’t matter. You then need to apply a good amount of soap. Lather up the soap by rubbing your hands together, taking care to reach all areas including the back of your hands, your wrists, between each finger, and even under the nails.

You want to continue to scrub your hands for at least twenty seconds. Some experts even say that you can get into the habit of singing the happy birthday song in your head while you wash your hands. This gives you a better idea of how long you should be scrubbing at the sink each time.

Once the time is up, rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water and then dry them with a clean paper towel or hand dryer. You should wash your hands before and after handling food before you eat after you care for a sick person after you use the bathroom after you change your child’s diaper, and after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.

Dangers of Commercial Soap

Most commercial soap options contain sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate, parabens, and triclosan. These sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils. When this happens, penetration is increased because the skin doesn’t have that natural layer of protection.

So, all the chemicals found in commercial soap products have a better chance of absorbing into the skin and increases the risk of clogging your pores. Additionally, sulfates are also irritants and can cause rashes for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.

Parabens are the chemicals that are added to soaps and other products to prevent bacteria. They are often used as preservatives in many beauty and care products.

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent in some soaps. It can cause the immune system to weaken and can disrupt hormones.

Benefits of Natural Soap

Instead of using soap that is laden with harmful chemicals that can irritate and dry out your skin, consider the benefits of using natural soap to wash your hands. They contain no harmful preservatives or hardening agents.

A good natural soap to use is one that is antiseptic and contains tea tree oil. The antiseptic properties found in tea tree oil acts as a highly effective and natural cleaner. It helps heal the skin and has an invigorating, clean, fresh scent. Tea tree is also antiviral and has properties that have been proven effective against common pathogens.

So, next time you reach for the soap to wash your hands, consider all the benefits you will find when using an antiviral soap containing tea tree to help keep the germs at bay.

Meta: it is important to wash your hands often and thoroughly to remain as healthy as possible and prevent the spread of germs and sickness.