It’s been part of the basics of hygiene since the Corona pandemic: washing your hands. (Image: iStock/Choreograph)
October 15th is World Handwashing Day. During the Corona pandemic, we have learned how important it is to wash our hands. The pandemic may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should let hand hygiene slide. Not only is Corona not gone, but many other infectious diseases are also transmitted via hands. Especially in autumn, when temperatures drop, our immune system becomes more susceptible to cold and flu viruses. World Handwashing Day is a reminder that you should always pay attention to your hand hygiene.
Wash on average 13 times a day
Washing your hands plays a very important role in the hygiene rules – and not just since Corona existed. You should clean your hands especially when you come home, after brushing, coughing or sneezing and before preparing food. Even if you have had contact with other people, touched surfaces, before eating and – this should go without saying anyway – after using the toilet. According to a survey by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), Germans wash their hands on average 13 times a day. Do you also come up with this number?
Wash – do it right!
It is particularly important that you wash your hands properly: first wet them with water. Now soap your hands thoroughly on all sides and between the fingers for 20 to 30 seconds. Then rinse your hands thoroughly under running water and dry them.
By the way, washing your hands without soap also helps. Even just washing with water can remove some of the pathogens. So if there is no soap, you should still wash your hands. But that shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to use soap. Cleaning is still most effective with soap.
If you cannot wash your hands because you are out and about, you can also use a disinfectant to kill possible pathogens. However, the BZgA only recommends using disinfectants when in contact with sick people. Thorough hand washing and cleaning are sufficient in everyday life to eliminate germs.
