![](https://d35oenyzp35321.cloudfront.net/medium_3617179_32c53f781b.jpg)
To Book an Appointment
Call Us+91 92688 80303Your Ultimate Guide to Handwashing
By Dr. Prem Narayan Vaish in Internal Medicine
Oct 11 , 2022 | 1 min read
6
Your Clap has been added.
Thanks for your consideration
Share
Share Link has been copied to the clipboard.
Here is the link https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/your-ultimate-guide-to-handwashing
You might consider handwashing to be a simple activity. But handwashing is critical for controlling many diseases such as typhoid, eye infections, diarrhoea, and other gastrointestinal infections. Since 2019, due to the advent of COVID-19 infection, people have actually realised the importance of handwashing.
But are you aware of the right technique?
A three-step formula for proper handwashing
-
Wet your hands under running tap water.
-
Apply soap and then rub your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Refer to the given illustration to know the steps in detail.
-
Rinse your hands again and dry them with a clean towel.
When should you wash your hands?
You should definitely wash your hands in the following scenarios.
-
Before and after preparing a meal
-
Before and after having a meal
-
When your hands are visibly soiled
-
If you get in contact with an ill person
-
After using toilet
-
After coughing and sneezing
-
After touching animals
But that doesn’t mean you need to overdo hand washing because that can damage your skin and make it itchy and dry.
Two-step hack to prevent skin damage caused due to handwashing
-
Avoid using hot water for washing hands to prevent dryness. Also, apply a moisturiser after each wash.
-
Choose liquid soap over the bar as they contain more humectant that keeps your skin moisturised.
Now Let’s Debunk Common Myths About Handwashing
Duration of handwashing is not significant
You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
You can replace handwashing with the use of sanitiser.
If your hands are visibly soiled, you should always use soap and water to wash your hands. For regular cleaning, you may use sanitiser.
Hot water is best for handwashing
You may use water of any temperature to wash your hands effectively. In fact, you should avoid hot water to prevent dryness of your hands.
Drying your hands after washing is not important.
Drying your hands after washing them is important because damp hands promote the growth of microorganisms.
Hand dryers are better than disposable paper towels.
The inside surface of the hand dryer is generally wet, providing an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow. So use disposable hand towels instead to keep your hands clean.
You should use only anti-bacterial soap to wash your hands.
Both normal and anti-bacterial soaps are equally efficient for washing hands because the main goal is to remove the layer of grease/fat present over our hands that contains microorganisms.
Takeaway
Hand Washing can prevent a lot of diseases. Just 20 seconds can do more than you can imagine. So, wash your hands regularly and protect yourself.
![](https://www.maxhealthcare.in/img/google-news.png)
Written and Verified by:
Related Blogs
![](https://d35oenyzp35321.cloudfront.net/Nipah_Virus_8f67645ae8.jpg)
Dr. Vandana Boobna In Internal Medicine
Nov 08 , 2020 | 2 min read
Blogs by Doctor
![](https://max-website20-images.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Cholera_Disease_7fc01c12d5.png)
Cholera Disease: Modern Challenges and Prevention Tips
Dr. Prem Narayan Vaish In Internal Medicine
Jul 25 , 2024 | 2 min read
Most read Blogs
Get a Call Back
Related Blogs
![](https://d35oenyzp35321.cloudfront.net/Nipah_Virus_8f67645ae8.jpg)
Dr. Vandana Boobna In Internal Medicine
Nov 08 , 2020 | 2 min read
Blogs by Doctor
![](https://max-website20-images.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Cholera_Disease_7fc01c12d5.png)
Cholera Disease: Modern Challenges and Prevention Tips
Dr. Prem Narayan Vaish In Internal Medicine
Jul 25 , 2024 | 2 min read
Most read Blogs
Other Blogs
- Common Perianal Problems - Pain Bariatric surgery
- Top 10 Myths about Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer - It Is the Beginning of a Journey Rather than the End of the Road
- How effective is it to prevent unwanted pregnancies?
- Lower Back Pain Due to Spinal Arthritis Non-surgical Pain Management Options
- Meningioma Brain Tumors: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
- How Can I Manage My Diabetes?
- Health Rumours About Cancer – Busted Or Confirmed
- Gastrointestinal cancers and 8 tips to avoid them
- Cancer
- Gynaecologic cancer care - in the times of pandemic
- The early symptoms and signs of lung cancer
Specialist in Location
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in India
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Ghaziabad
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Shalimar Bagh
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Mohali
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Patparganj
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Saket
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Bathinda
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Panchsheel Park
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Dehradun
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Noida
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Lajpat Nagar
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Gurgaon
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Delhi
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Nagpur
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Lucknow
- Best Internal Medicine Doctors in Dwarka
- CAR T-Cell Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- LVAD
- Robotic Heart Surgery
- Kidney Transplant
- The Da Vinci Xi Robotic System
- Lung Transplant
- Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)
- HIPEC
- Valvular Heart Surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
- Knee Replacement Surgery
- ECMO
- Bariatric Surgery
- Biopsies / FNAC And Catheter Drainages
- Cochlear Implant
- More...