Importance of Washing Your Hands

There are many people who think that washing hands frequently is a waste of time. However, they are unaware that our hands are host to many bacteria and viruses that can cause infectious diseases. To know more about the significance of hand washing and how it can save us from different ailments, go through this article.Did you know that regular hand washing is the most essential factor for maintaining good health? Every human being comes in contact with germs and bacteria in their daily life. These harmful microorganisms are present all around us like on the door knobs, faucets, light switches, stair railings, etc. People touch these things while doing their routine work, without thinking much about it and with the same hands touch their face, eyes, nose and sometimes eat food, too. While performing these acts, the germs and bacteria get into our body, causing several diseases. Hence, it is important for all of us to know and educate others with the right methods to follow, to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Significance of Washing Hands

Why Is It Important
The most important advantage is that you prevent yourself from getting infected by a number of dangerous ailments. People who are careless about washing their hands are at a higher risk of catching a cold or a flu. Not washing hands has also the ability to cause gastrointestinal illnesses and also diarrhea which can spread to the whole family. It has also been seen that improper means of washing hands or not washing at all can cause pneumonia in old people and in those people who are diagnosed with chronic diseases.

The Correct Way to Do It
Not many people know how to wash their hands properly. Cleaning hands does not mean just running water over your palms. It has to be done very carefully and in detail. Along with warm water, the most essential thing required to wash your hands is soap.

»First, wet your hands with water and then lather your hands with soap and scrub thoroughly, with the soap   reaching both the sides of your hands till the wrist and also between your fingers. Then, wash off the soap with water and pat it dry with a towel or a tissue paper.

»The other method one could use when there is no soap or water is by making use of an alcohol-based sanitizer. Take a pea-sized sanitizer in the palm and spread it on the entire hands till it dries.

» Wiping one's hands with antimicrobial wipes or towelettes is also a good way of keeping the hands clean.

When to Wash Your Hands
To prevent the dangers of not washing your hands, it is essential for you to know when it is extremely important to wash your hands.

»After using the washroom at home or at any public place
»After visiting a patient at the hospital
»Before as well as after eating food
»Before and after one starts cooking food, especially meat, fish and poultry
»After changing a baby's diaper
»After touching pets or cleaning their feces
»Before touching young infants and children
»While inserting or removing contact lenses
»Before and after touching injured areas and changing the dressing of a wounded person
»After collecting and throwing out garbage
»After sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose

Knowing the importance of washing hands will help you in avoiding infectious diseases. People who work in hospitals and other health sectors have to keep a strict check on hygiene and should learn and educate others in the proper way. However, one must remember that even at home we can get infected with diseases due to bacteria and so it is necessary for us to teach the proper method to our family, especially children. Children love to play with mud and sand, which host a lot of germs. By teaching your kids the significance of washing hands properly, you would be taking a very crucial step towards living a healthy life.
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