Proper hand hygeine has always been one of the most effective ways to prevent and reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses that can lead to illness and disease. WIth the current COVID-19 pandemic, the vitality of simple hand hygeine has been highlighted even more. I can remember learning early that proper hand washing can not only prevent you from becoming ill, but also protect others. As a pharmacist in the retail and hospital setting, I learned first hand how important it was to keep my hands clean and sanitized often. The fews times that I did become sick after or while working, I could pinpoint the approximate time of transmission! Seriously, I could! The moment a stomach pain struck, or a sore throat begin to awaken, I could usually track it back to a time I may had forgotten to perform hand hygeine. Prehaps after touching a high-traffic surface or handling of money, and then grabbing a quick snack in the fast pace arena of Pharmacy. I quickly began to make a conscience effort to stick strict to the CDC recommendation of when to perform hand hygeine (see below). I also made sure to educate my staff and my children, ranging from 17 to 1, proper hand hygeine. From singing "Happy Birthday" or "Baby Shark" while washing hands with soap and water, to carrying hand sanitzer and using when needed (which for my 7 year old is everytime she sees the bottle), to making sure to sneeze in elbow or tissue if available. It is vital to start as early as possible. I typically start around 6 months, before making a bottle or breast feeding I wash my hands as well as my childs, by 1 year old, with the exception of my son (men have been proven not to wash their hands as much as women), washing their hands appropriately became routine. I encourage you to talk to your family, and even quiz them ,on proper hand hygeine and educate/remind them as needed. I have provded recommendation from the Center for Disease Control below. Key Times to Wash Hands
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you should also clean hands:
After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.
Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies.
Follow these five steps every time.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,
Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use.
How to use hand sanitizer
Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
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