Hand washing is the best way to protect from corona virus. Frequent hand washing with alcohol based hand rub or with soap and water prevents the spread of germs and viruses.
Proper hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Hand hygiene means cleaning hands by hand washing either with water and soap or antiseptic hand rub. It is considered as a primary measure for reducing the risk of transmitting infection.According to global health agency, the most effective way to protect from corona virus is by frequent hand washing with alcohol based hand rub or with soap and water. Hands should be cleaned after using the restroom, before and after eating, after contact with body fluids, after touching animals or pets or whenever the hands are visibly dirty. Hand hygiene is an important lifetime habit for staying healthy.
Types of Hand hygiene:
1.Hand Washing with Soap and Water:
Wash your hands with soap and water whenever they are visibly dirty, before eating and after using the restroom. Rubbing hands with soap and water can effectively remove dirt and microorganisms on the skin and rinsing out the soap under running water can also relieve irritation to the skin. Therefore, authoritative organizations such the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend washing hands thoroughly with soap and running water.
How to wash your hands?
When cleaning your hands with soap and water, wet your hands first with water, apply the recommended amount of soap by the manufacturer to your hands, and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. Rinse your hands with water and dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Use paper towel to turn off the faucet. Avoid using hot water, to prevent drying of skin.
2.Using Alcohol based Hand Sanitizer:
According to Emerging Infectious Disease Journal, hand rub formulations recommended by WHO can effectively inactivate the SARS Corona virus 2 when used correctly. The hand rub formulation recommended by the WHO consists of 80 volume percept ethanol, 1.45 volume percent glycerine and 0.125 volume percent hydrogen peroxide or disinfectantconsists of 75 volume percent isopropanol, 1.45 volume percent glycerine and 0.125 volume percent hydrogen peroxide (Inosept H). Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the most effective products for reducing the number of viruses on the hands.
How to Hand Rub?
Apply product to the palm of one hand. Rub hands together, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are covered until they are dry (no rinsing is required). This should take around 20 seconds.Use the right amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer product to clean your hands. The efficacy of alcohol-based hand sanitizer depends on the volume applied to the hands.
Benefits of an Alcohol based Hand Rub:
1.
An alcohol-based hand rub is a preferred method for cleaning hands of health care providers,when hands are not visibly dirty.
2. More effective at killing potentially deadly germs on hands than soap.
3. Easy to use during the course of care, especially when moving from soiled to clean activities.
4. Improves skin condition with less irritation and dryness than soap and water.
5. More accessible than hand washing sinks and requires less time.
6. Alcohol based do not cause antibiotic resistance.
Dr.Kamala D.N.
Medical Advisor (Oral Care)
Bangalore-560055 Ph: 080 2337 6766
Mob:9743412910
