Germs are everywhere! They can spread easily from one person to another through touch. But there’s a way to prevent catching and spreading germs — washing your hands regularly!
Many people know to wash their hands before cooking or after going to the bathroom. But to successfully stop the spread of germs, you should wash your hands more often throughout the day. December is Handwashing Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn the proper handwashing techniques from your McAllen Pharmacy!
Why Is It Important to Wash Your Hands the Right Way?
You may scratch your nose, rub your eye, or chew on your nails many times without even thinking twice about the germs on your hands. When you touch your face or your food and drinks throughout the day with unwashed hands, it’s very easy for those germs to find their way in and make you sick. And rinsing your hands with water or only washing your palms isn’t actually enough to kill off the germs.
Washing your hands the right way can kill off infections and diseases before they make their way into your body! Think of handwashing as your first defense to fighting germs and protecting yourself and your loved ones.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
It’s important to wash your hands many times throughout the day. You may already have a good habit; however, there may be more handwashing opportunities throughout your day.
- After using the restroom
- Before and after eating
- Before and after taking care of a sick loved one
- After changing a diaper
- After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing
- After touching an animal, animal waste, or pet food
- After touching trash
This list could go on, so it’s important to note that the key time to wash your hands is anytime before touching your face, putting anything in your mouth, or touching any surface that could have germs. Make it a daily habit to wash your hands often for the best chance of preventing and spreading germs!
5 Steps to Washing Your Hands!
There’s a right way and a wrong way to wash your hands, so make sure to do it correctly! With five easy and quick steps, you’ll have the power to fight off pesky infections.
- Wet your hands with the cleanest water possible.
- Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
- Rub your hands together, making sure you get your palms, the back of your hands, in between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
- Rinse all the soap off with clean water.
- Completely dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry.
After applying the soap, make sure you’re washing for at least 20 seconds to get any germs off your hands.
What Can You Do if Soap and Water Aren’t Available?
You may be at the gas station, grocery store, or restaurant and need to wash your hands. If you’re in a pinch and soap and water aren’t available, you can use hand sanitizer instead of handwashing. But your hand sanitizer needs to have at least 60% alcohol to be effective in killing off germs.
Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season With Saenz Pharmacy!
Infections and diseases are always around us, especially this time of year, with cold and flu season in full swing. Keep yourself safe (and your loved ones) by carefully washing your hands using the right technique.
Always be ready to fight off germs by picking up some hand sanitizer at your McAllen pharmacy! And while you’re there, ask your Saenz Pharmacy team for more help preventing and spreading germs this cold and flu season.