The importance of hand hygiene

How often do you really stop to consider your hands? They touch your computer, your face, food, surfaces, your cellphone, the TV remote, cupboards, taps, door handles, and a hundred other things each day. Now imagine all the little unseen hitchhikers catching a ride on those hands – yes, we mean germs and bacteria.

The hidden world of bacteria

Did you know that the average hand can hold up to 150 types of bacteria at any time? It’s like a little world happening in your hands. These bacteria (both harmless and harmful) can impact our immune systems, which is why good hand hygiene is essential.

If you think that washing your hands isn’t really necessary, consider this information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): “Faeces from people or animals is an important source of germs like Salmonella, E. coli O157, and norovirus that cause diarrhoea. These kinds of germs can get onto hands after people use the toilet or change a diaper, but also in less obvious ways, like after handling raw meats that have invisible amounts of animal poop on them. A single gram of human faeces, which is about the weight of a paper clip, can contain one trillion germs.”

That certainly puts the importance of clean hands into perspective!

Still, it’s good to know that, when you clean your hands, your goal isn’t to create a sterile environment. It’s about managing the microbial community, and minimising harmful pathogens while preserving beneficial ones. This balance is important for stronger immunity.

Good hand hygiene

Our skin is our largest organ and it’s the first barrier against germs and bacteria and external environmental factors. So, it makes sense to make clean hands a daily priority.

• Regularly wipe down your phone. Most of us use our phones throughout the day, transferring germs from various surfaces and then touching the phone to our skin or face.
• Hand sanitisers and soaps are practical items that help us quickly and effectively clean our hands. Whether it’s an alcohol-based gel for a fast clean-up or a soap that covers a wide range of bacteria, these products work hard to keep you safe by breaking down and removing germs.
• Don’t forget about your nails. When you have a few moments to spare, use a soft nail brush to gently scrub under and around your nails. Dirt and germs love to hide in these small crevices.
• If you’re in a busy high-touch environment (like the office), write a little note in your diary to remind yourself to wash or sanitise your hands regularly.
• Carry a small kit with a travel-sized sanitiser, disinfectant wipes, and even a microfiber cloth. This allows you to quickly clean your hands and any high-touch objects (like your phone or wallet) when you're on the go.
• Use warm water instead of cold. Warm water can help loosen oils and dirt more effectively, yet it’s gentle enough not to irritate your skin.
• Choose hand lotions or wipes that include natural antimicrobial agents, such as tea tree or eucalyptus oil. These can provide an extra layer of defense while also soothing your skin.
• At home or work, keep specific towels or paper towels solely for hand drying. Clean, separate towels reduce the chance of reintroducing germs onto freshly washed hands.

“Preventing sickness reduces the amount of antibiotics people use and the likelihood that antibiotic resistance will develop.” – Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.