Happy New Year! I was lucky enough to travel for the holidays but I brought home an unwanted present, a cold. I did all of the right things, exercised, ate well, got enough sleep and washed my hands – a lot. But there are few guarantees in life and I got a cold anyway.
Washing your hands seems like a simple thing and it is and it isn’t. Not washing your hands properly will allow the germs we don’t want to thrive and destroy the beneficial bacterial that are supposed to inhabit our skin. So let’s review:
Three things are needed for proper handwashing: First, soap. Anti-bacterial soap was all the rage until it was discovered that it destroyed beneficial bacteria so all we want is plain old soap. No added ingredients. Second is water, warm water, not too hot and not too cold. Finally the third thing is time. At least 20 seconds of sudsy scrubbing on all the surfaces of your hands, palms, fingers and the backs too.
Rinse well and dry well. Soap residue will dry skin and dry skin often cracks which is inviting for bacteria and infection. Lotion will help ward of dry skin so apply often.
Wash your hands often, especially after going out in public and touching germy surfaces, shaking hands, and coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Wash you hands before eating, before putting away clean dishes or preparing food…this is not an all encompassing list and if you are not sure if you should wash up…do it anyway, it can’t hurt.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year!
Washing your hands seems like a simple thing and it is and it isn’t. Not washing your hands properly will allow the germs we don’t want to thrive and destroy the beneficial bacterial that are supposed to inhabit our skin. So let’s review:
Three things are needed for proper handwashing: First, soap. Anti-bacterial soap was all the rage until it was discovered that it destroyed beneficial bacteria so all we want is plain old soap. No added ingredients. Second is water, warm water, not too hot and not too cold. Finally the third thing is time. At least 20 seconds of sudsy scrubbing on all the surfaces of your hands, palms, fingers and the backs too.
Rinse well and dry well. Soap residue will dry skin and dry skin often cracks which is inviting for bacteria and infection. Lotion will help ward of dry skin so apply often.
Wash your hands often, especially after going out in public and touching germy surfaces, shaking hands, and coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Wash you hands before eating, before putting away clean dishes or preparing food…this is not an all encompassing list and if you are not sure if you should wash up…do it anyway, it can’t hurt.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year!