To wash hands

An important gesture

Wash your hands: it seems that there is no simpler and more effective rule to protect one's health and that of others. Germs, in fact, are everywhere and move easily from one point to another using water, objects, living beings and dust particles as transport boats. When they find an ideal or protected environment, they nestle there and, if the environmental conditions allow it, they proliferate multiplying at an impressive rate.

During the day, our hands come into contact with numerous objects, often with animals and with foods that are full of microorganisms (for example, we think of banknotes, supports for public transport, door handles, gym tools, appetizers on the bar counter or electronic tool buttons). Although most of these germs are harmless, some microorganisms possess pathogenic characteristics. Just think of the spread of certain diseases, such as cholera, ascorbiasis, salmonellosis and hepatitis A, in countries where general and personal hygiene rules are particularly lacking.

Without disturbing pathologies that are fortunately rare in our country, let us examine the common cold, the dreaded toxoplasmosis, conjunctivitis, pinworms or the common "intestinal influences": according to the experts, it is sufficient to wash your hands every time you exit the toilet or you they manipulate food, to considerably reduce the risk of infection. Otherwise, these germs can penetrate the body when the hands are brought to the nose, mouth, eyes or pass on open wounds, even imperceptible to the naked eye.

Furthermore, some bacteria have developed considerable resistance to antibiotics and it is therefore important to prevent infection by washing the hands thoroughly, especially if the person has a weakened immune system (a common cold could become complicated with chronic bronchitis).

When to wash your hands

Before...

• Handle or consume food
• Medicate or touch one's own or another's wound
• Apply or remove contact lenses

After...

• Staying in the toilet or having touched the anogenital area
• Handled raw food, especially meat (chicken, pork, hamburgers) or fish
• Changed a diaper
• Blown your nose, coughed or sneezed
• Caressing a pet, especially reptiles and exotic animals
• Having handled waste
• Having trained in the gym
• Being in close contact with sick people, for example upon returning from the hospital
• After having stayed in very crowded places, such as the halls of railways, airports etc.

How to wash your hands

When it comes to personal hygiene, it is not important to respect only the indications on the right time to wash your hands, but also those concerning the correct washing and cleaning technique. In fact, a quick rinse is not enough to eliminate the problem.

Let's see some simple tips to wash your hands in the most appropriate way.

• Use soap and running water, preferably warm
• Thoroughly wash all surfaces, including the wrists, palms and backs of hands, fingers and the space below the free edge of the nails
• Rub your hands together and rub all the surfaces for at least 20 seconds
• Rinse thoroughly
• Dry your hands with the appropriate disposable paper, with a clean personal towel or with a hot air device
• If the sink is equipped with the old taps or the more modern but unhygienic mixers, these should be closed with the hands protected by the disposable paper
• If necessary, apply a moisturizing cream to prevent irritation after using excessively aggressive detergents or after a prolonged wash
• Learn how to wash your hands

The common soap is sufficient to remove germs from the hands, but in the absence of water, so-called hand sanitizers can be used, modern and special alcohol-based soaps for dry hand washing. Also in recent years, detergents with bactericidal action have appeared in the large-scale distribution, but more than the chosen product it is essential to respect the correct washing technique (also because the antibacterial agents could increase bacterial resistance).

Lastly, we remind you that making available to our guests (in particular the doctor who visits us) freshly discarded soap to wash their hands and a clean towel to dry them, is an act of appreciated courtesy.