Let’s face it, most of us do not wash our hands as often as we should. Global Handwashing Day is October 15, so this is a good time to talk about some facts you should know about washing your hands.
“The single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to clean our hands, according to the CDC.” Lack of handwashing or not washing hands well contributes to almost 50 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks. (2)
According to UNICEF, hand washing with soap can reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections by 23 percent.
UNICEF goes on to cite that handwashing with soap before eating, preparing food or after using the toilet can reduce diarrhea rates by more than 40 percent. This is particularly important in countries where soap is not always available.
“Research shows that children living in households exposed to hand washing promotion and soap had half the diarrheal rates of children living in control neighborhoods.” (5)
“Because hand washing can prevent the transmission of a variety of pathogens, it may be more effective than any single vaccine.” (5)
Let's review some common questions about handwashing.
1. How long should I wash my hands for?
Rub your hands together with soap until lather forms. Wash them for 20 seconds or as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Make sure to scrub the backs of your hands, then rinse.
2. Does water temperature matter?
It is has been found that water temperature doesn’t really matter. Warm water will cut through grease easier but cold water will work just fine.
3. What is the best way to dry my hands?
It is not clear whether paper towels or air dryers are better. What is important is getting your hands fully dry, as wet hands are more likely to spread bacteria on to other surfaces.
4. Can I use sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
Washing hands with soap and water is best. Sanitizers are not effective if hands are visibly dirty. Hand sanitizers that have an alcohol content of over 60 percent can kill most bacteria and viruses but not bacterial spores.
If soap and water is not available, use a dime-sized amount of sanitizer and briskly rub it over your fingers and hands until they are dry.
5. Should I use antibacterial soap?
Regular soap and water is recommended for ordinary use. Antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, which is under investigation by the FDA due to some hormone disruption in lab animals. Overall, there is concern that anti-bacterial soap use is contributing to bacterial resistance so sticking with regular soap is just fine. (1)
6. Am I protected when deli workers wear gloves preparing food?/strong>
Dirty gloves are just like dirty hands. If the deli worker isn’t meticulous about changing them when touching other surfaces, like handling your money or touching raw food before reaching for the lettuce for your sandwich then, no, you are not.
If you notice a food worker has contaminated their gloves, politely ask them to change them before making your meal.
Sources:
1. Handwashing Facts. Remedy’s HealthCommunities.com. Retrieved Oct. 13, 2012.
http://www.healthcommunities.com/common-cold/handwashing-facts_ucbwl.shtml
2. Microbe World. Washup.org. Retrieved Oct. 13, 2012.
http://www.microbeworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id...
3. Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved Oct. 13, 2012.
http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing
4. Handwashing Day, 15 October: Fast facts about handwashing. Unicef.org. Retrieved Oct. 13, 2012.
http://www.unicef.org/mozambique/Fast_Facts_Handwashing_ENG_131010.pdf
5. Why Handwashing? Handwashing with soap is the “vaccine” that prevents infections. The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap. Retrieved Oct. 13, 2012.
http://globalhandwashing.org/why
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles
Edited by Jody Smith