Nine Steps of Handwashing

Our parents taught us to wash our hands with soap when we came from the street. Every adult washes their hands several times a day. Are we doing it right? The World Health Organization and various medical organizations recommend that everyone wash their hands thoroughly with soap, so as not to carry diseases of all kinds. If everything is done according to the rules, then many diseases transmitted by airborne droplets can be avoided.



Did you know that you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to wash your hands clean? Now, try washing your hands and see how many seconds you spend doing this. Mud can accumulate in hard-to-reach places: under the nails or between the fingers. Here’s the WHO’s guide to washing your hands thoroughly.



Handwashing algorithm

1. Wet your hands with water. Water temperature is not important, according to the doctors. The main thing is that the water is not hot and you do not burn.
   
   
   
   
2. Soap your hands with solid or liquid soap. There is no fundamental difference between liquid and lump soap, but if it is lumpy, it is better to keep it in a soapbox with holes so that the soap does not get soaked.
   
   
   
   
3. Now you need to foam the soap between the hands, rubbing one against the other.
   
   
   
   
4. Rub each hand from the back and between your fingers.
   
   
   
   
5. Rub between your fingers with your hands in the lock.
   
   
   
   
6. Rub your thumbs with soap.
   
   
   
   
7. Rub your fingertips on the second hand, repeat the same thing, changing your hands. It is best to use a brush to get to the dirt under the nails.
   
   
   
   
8. Wash the soap and wipe it. handwash paper or personal fabric towel dry.
9. It is better not to touch the crane handle with washed hands, but to close it with the same towel.
   
   
   
   

Wash your hands after a walk, before eating or cooking, after visiting the toilet, contact with objects in public transport, contact with animals and so on. In general, if in doubt, better wash your hands again. Due to frequent washing, the skin of the hands can crack, so regularly apply a moisturizer.

If it is not possible to wash your hands with soap, then use an alcohol-based antiseptic. The actions when treating hands with an antiseptic are the same as when washing with soap and water. Here is a video on how to wash your hands properly.

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Keep in mind that handwashing should take 20 seconds, which is about the length of a Happy Birthday to You song, so you can hum it instead of setting a timer each time.