Just the facts: How long should you wash your hands?

You may have learned about the importance of washing your hands and how to wash them correctly back in elementary school. If that’s been a long time, though, you may need a refresher! How long should you wash your hands?

Washing your hands regularly helps prevent the spread of many different illnesses. There’s even a National Handwashing Awareness Week every December and a Global Handwashing Day every October to remind us of that fact.

This year’s theme for handwashing day is an important message for us all: “Clean hands are within reach.” Read on as the West Jefferson Medical Center team shares some pointers.

The handwashing basics you need to know

Ready for your handwashing refresher course? Here are some tips for getting those hands clean:

Use the soap of your choice. All different kinds of soap work effectively in removing germs from your hands, so there’s no need to use an antibacterial soap. Simply follow the handwashing steps outlined in other tips.

Set the temperature where you like it. You may have heard that warm water is best, but it really doesn’t matter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you can use warm or cold water when washing your hands, so choose what feels best.

Invest the time. Scrub your hands with clean running water.The “running water” is a key part of the equation. Water coming from a tap is more likely to be clear of germs. Once you’ve gotten enough water on your hands to suds up the soap, turn the tap off and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. That’s how long it would take if you were humming the Happy Birthday song twice.

Make sure you hit all the parts of your hands. Don’t ignore the skin under your fingernails, where germs can easily hide away, or your palms. Once you’ve washed for 20 seconds, rinse your hands under clean running water and dry them with a clean towel.

Wash your hands often. You should wash your hands before and after you prepare food, before and after eating food, after using the restroom or changing a diaper, before and after treating a cut or wound, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after touching an animal or animal food, and after touching garbage.

Staying healthy during cold and flu season

Good hand sanitation is a key part of staying illness-free, but there are other steps you can take to steer clear of illness. Start here:

• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. If you’re in a spot where soap and water aren’t handy, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol will do.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Germs, like bacteria and viruses, can easily enter the body through your nose, eyes and mouth. Avoid touching your face when you haven’t washed your hands to avoid spreading those germs.
• Steer clear of those who are sick. It isn’t always possible, but when it is, avoid spending time with people who have a virus or bacterial infection. This is the best strategy for stopping the spread of contagious illness, such as the cold, flu, COVID-19, RSV and stomach viruses.
• Give your immune system a boost. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help you keep your immune system amped up and ready to prevent illness. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days, eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and veggies, prioritize getting enough quality sleep, and find healthy ways to manage your stress.

While there’s no way to fully prevent illness, especially during cold and flu season, you can put your best foot (or hand) forward. Regular handwashing and other basic precautions can help you do just that.

Feeling under the weather? It’s time to schedule an appointment with your West Jefferson Medical Center primary care provider.