Most people think they know what good hand hygiene is, but their information is often either incorrect or incomplete. For example, many believe that quickly rubbing down the hands with a hand disinfectant is duly sufficient to kill the microbes present. Unfortunately, the dirtiest places on the hands are the spaces between the fingers and between the thumb and forefinger.
Hygiene specialist Jaana Väre-Hautala of the Vaasa Adult Education Centre advises people to let the disinfectant dry completely before touching anything, as damp hands provide good bacterial growing grounds.
It is also important to recognize that disinfectant solutions do not eliminate all forms of bacteria. A 2012 study by Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare shows that hand disinfectant use did not reduce infectious diseases across the board, while careful washing with soap and water reduced infections by twenty per cent.
“No disinfectant can replace a good hand washing. If you must wash your hands frequently, however, the guideline is to wash with soap and water when hands become visibly soiled, but to use hand disinfectant when moving from one stage to the next to avoid over-washing. If the skin becomes broken or infected, it is immediately much more infectious than healthy skin,” explains Väre-Hautala.
But I just washed my hands!
Hygiene specialists often hear people complain about having just washed their hands a short time ago. They ask that we keep in mind that every time we touch a door handle or shopping cart, we are putting ourselves at risk - especially during flu season. Another essential element is how we chose to dry our hands after washing. Disposable paper towels are always preferable to drying machines or cloth towels.
It is also important to avoid touching your scalp with your hands, as it too is a breeding ground for bacteria. It is a common sight to see women adjusting their hair with damp hands after washing up. This should be avoided at all costs, as the parts of the body with the most hair generally house the most bacteria.
Check the soap dispenser too
Another factor most people are unaware of is that soap can also develop bacterial growth. Väre-Hautala recommends that old refillable soap dispensers be replaced with new ones featuring refill bags, as this is the only way to guarantee that the soap is bacteria-free. Bars of soap in public spaces should be avoided for the same reason, although soap can easily be shared in the home with no concern.