Everyone knows that handwashing is supposed to be good for your health and prevents the spreading of germs. But how effective is it actually? Here at Healing Hands Chiropractic in Murfreesboro, TN we can offer you some tips, advice, and maybe a few things you didn’t know about the effectiveness of washing your hands. Dr. Dee and her staff are dedicated to providing you the best service for your overall health.
How Does Keeping Your Hands Clean Prevent the Spread of Illness?
As humans we use our hands for many different things, it’s just part of how we operate on a daily basis. If we have germs on our hands there are lots of opportunities for the germs to be spread such as these listed below:
- People frequently touch their faces allowing germs in through the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Germs from unwashed hands can get into food and drinks.
- Germs can be transferred to objects which other people can touch later.
- We often come in to contact with others and use our hands such as handshaking or a touch
How Can You Measure the Effectiveness of Handwashing?
According to the CDC, handwashing can prevent 30% of diarrhea-related and 20% of respiratory-related illnesses. Often antibiotics are prescribed for these illnesses which could have prevented. This not only raises the need and the cost for these medicines but also attributes to rising antibiotic resistance by using them unnecessarily.
When Should Handwashing be Done?
Handwashing should be done any time you use the bathroom or before and after using food. These are the most important times to prevent the spread of illness. Listed below are some other situations to wash your hands in:
- Any time you deal with items being transferred from another person
- Food handlers before and after handling food
- Anyone after handling meat
- Any time you cough or sneeze
- After using the bathroom
- After digging in dirt or gardening
- If your hands are visibly soiled
- Any time after handling money
Any time you could have come in contact with bacteria from someone else or from another source it is a good idea to wash your hands to prevent that bacteria from infecting your body. Dr. Dee’s staff at Healing Hands Chiropractic is dedicated to your health and preventing the spread of illness to you.
Why Hand Wash with Soap?
If you’re asking this question you may have heard that soap doesn’t actually kill germs – unless it’s antibacterial of course. If you haven’t heard that, you’re probably asking “well then what is the point of soap?” right now. The reason handwashing with soap is still effective is that although it may not kill those germs, it does remove them. And as far as your body is concerned, that’s virtually the same thing. You can’t get sick from a bacteria that has been washed down the drain with soap.
Why is it Important to Teach our Kids Handwashing?
Kids are constantly playing whether it’s outdoors or with other kids’ toys. There are many opportunities for germs to come in to contact with children and many people use the old adage, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Parents of this school of thought are basically saying that kids need to develop their immune system letting them get in to contact with germs is the best way to do that. The problem occurs when that child does become sick, they are now a great avenue to spread whatever they have to other children. If they are taught good practices of washing their hands, some of this can be eliminated preventing other children from getting sick unnecessarily.
How Can Handwashing Save Lives?
As stated previously, handwashing can prevent the spread of illness by eliminating germs from the surface of your hands. This can keep people out of hospitals and prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics. It also helps prevent the spread of illness to those who may have a compromised immune system. This could be someone with an auto-immune disease or someone in poor overall health. Someone it this state could be drastically affected by even the smallest illness and it could even be fatal for them. Join us at Healing Hands Chiropractic out of Murfreesboro, TN in the fight against spreading illness by washing your hands often.
Can Handwashing Cause a Rash?
Generally speaking, no. The practice of handwashing is not a case that could cause someone to develop a rash. There are, however, a few situations in which a rash could develop after someone washes their hands such as:
- An allergic reaction to something in the soap
- An allergic reaction to chemicals used in the water
- Excessive hand washing in situations not necessary
- Rubbing something that causes an allergic reaction before it is completely washed away (such as urushiol from poison ivy plants)
What Should Handwashing Facilities be Provided?
If you are an employer you may be tasked with providing handwashing facilities to your employees, especially in the food handling business. Handwashing facilities must be adequately provided and easy to access whenever possible. Most businesses can get away with providing handwashing facilities in the bathroom, but food handlers need to make sure their employees can wash their hands before and after handling food easily. It wouldn’t make sense for them to have to run to the bathroom each time to wash their hand so it must be provided close by.
Contact Us Today!
If you have any questions about handwashing, whether they’re technical or general, give us a call at Healing Hands Chiropractic in Murfreesboro, TN. At Healing Hands we are concerned with your overall health whether you’re in Murfreesboro Tennessee or the surrounding area. You can reach Dr. Dee and her staff at 615-203-3505. Give us a call today and be on your way to better health from Healing Hands Chiropractic.
Did you know Chiropractic care can help treat chronic back pain, sports injuries, and auto accidents?
Get in touch with Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic today for an initial consultation!
