The Hand Wash Steps You Should Never Skip

Hand wash steps seems to be on everyone’s mind these day, and with good reason. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a firm focus on personal hygiene. As a virus that spreads from one person to another rather than by other environmental means. The novel coronavirus that swept the globe has certainly inspired us to take a good look at how we safeguard ourselves against infection.

According to the World Health Organisation, following a rigorous series of hand wash steps is one of the simplest ways to stay healthy. Here is a summary of the hand wash steps recommended by these healthcare professionals:

Important hand wash steps to follow for proper hygiene

1. Wash your hands regularly

According to the CDC, there are key times throughout the day we all need to wash our hands. This includes before, during and after preparing food; before eating; before and after tending to someone who is ill; after using the toilet, cleaning a diaper or assisting a child who used the toilet; after touching or tending an animal, handling pet food, etc.

2. Use soap and water

Good, old-fashioned soap and clean, running water are the best way to keep your hands clean. Anti-bacterial hand wash is also a good option, and hand sanitiser should be used whenever soap is not available as you go about your day, visiting retail spaces, etc.

3. Wash your hands all over for at least 20 seconds

Take your time to get the job done properly – this should take at least 20 seconds. Wet your hands using cold or warm water, turn off the tap, and lather up using soap or hand wash. Then spend 20 seconds rubbing your hands together, taking care to get to the spaces between your fingers, in the middle of your palms, on the backs of your hands, under your nails, etc. Then rinse of your hands, and dry it completely.

4. Apply a moisturiser

When you wash your hands or use hand sanitiser on a very regular basis, as we’re all supposed to be doing, your skin can become quite dry. Keeping the skin barrier intact is important, because cracked and irritated skin can crack and become infected very quickly. As such, the use of a good moisturiser is recommended as the final step in your hand washing regime.

The type of moisturiser you use is up to you – some people prefer a lighter anti-aging hand cream, while others use a heavier whipped body butter for some extra moisture. Whichever option you use, just remember to give the container a good wipe-down every now and again if you take it along in your handbag, otherwise the tube or tub itself can become a breading ground for germs.

CONCLUSION

The hand wash steps you need to follow to keep yourself safe and hygienic aren’t all that difficult. It may take a few tries until it becomes routine, but after that you’ll be doing it without thinking. Make a point of turning it into a habit and reap the rewards in the form of better health and wellbeing in the long run.

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