Share on Pinterest According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper hand hygiene is vital to lowering infectious disease transmission. In fact, research has shown that handwashing lowers the rates of certain respiratory and gastrointestinal infections up to 23 and 48 percent, respectively. According to the CDC, washing your hands frequently is particularly important to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19. In this article, we’ll look at the key steps to washing your hands correctly to ensure they’re free of germs that can cause serious infections. Below is the seven-step handwashing technique endorsed by the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO): The key to washing your hands is to make sure you thoroughly clean all surfaces and areas of your hands, fingers, and wrists. Here are more detailed handwashing steps recommended from the WHO. Follow them after you’ve wet your hands with water and soap. Share on Pinterest After you’ve completed these steps, you can rinse and dry your hands. Plain soap is just as good at disinfecting your hands as over-the-counter antibacterial soaps. In fact, research has found that antibacterial soaps aren’t any more effective at killing germs than regular, everyday soaps. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of the antibacterial agents triclosan and triclocarban. The reasons cited by the FDA for the ban of these agents included:
So, if you happen to have older bottles of antibacterial soap stocked away, it’s best not to use them. Throw them out, and just use regular soap instead. Also, there’s no evidence to suggest that the water temperature makes a difference. According to one study, washing your hands in warm water doesn’t seem to get rid of more germs. The bottom line is that it’s safe to use whatever water temperature is right for you, and use any regular liquid or bar soap you have on hand. Washing your hands is particularly important when you’re in situations where you’re more likely to acquire or transmit germs. This includes:
Dry, irritated, raw skin from frequent handwashing can raise the risk of infections. Damage to your skin can change the skin flora. This, in turn, can make it easier for germs to live on your hands. To keep your skin healthy while maintaining good hand hygiene, skin experts suggest the following tips:
FDA Notice When handwashing isn’t feasible or your hands aren’t visibly soiled, disinfecting your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be a viable option. Most alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, or a mixture of these agents. The most effective antimicrobial activity comes from alcohol solutions with:
Ethanol seems to be the most effective against viruses, whereas propanols work best against bacteria. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers quickly and effectively destroy many disease-causing agents, including:
A 2017 study also found that alcohol-based hand sanitizer formulations with ethanol, isopropanol, or both were effective at killing viral pathogens, such as: Like handwashing, the effectiveness of hand sanitizers depends on using the right technique. To apply hand sanitizer properly, follow these steps:
Hand hygiene is a simple, low cost, evidence-based intervention that can help protect your health and the health of others. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and community leaders worldwide have called for rigorous and collective efforts to improve public hygiene practices such as handwashing. Although washing your hands with plain soap and clean, running water is the preferred method for hand hygiene, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can also be an effective option. Good hand hygiene isn’t a measure to be used only during pandemics and other disease outbreaks. It’s a time-tested intervention that needs to be practiced consistently and mindfully to have the greatest effect on individual, community, and global health. Last medically reviewed on May 11, 2020 Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Jul 6, 2020 By Leilani Fraley, RN, MSN May 11, 2020 Medically Reviewed By Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN |