A lifestyle without touching water or soap is not welcome in social life, and not touching water or soap in terms of personal hygiene causes health problems. Our hands are the part of our body that comes into most contact with the external environment, and hand cleaning forms the basis of protection from harmful microorganisms. In addition to personal protection, hand cleaning also contributes to the protection of family members and colleagues we come into contact with throughout the day. Hand hygiene is even more important, especially for those who work in crowded environments. In many business lines, especially in the healthcare sector, employees' negligence in washing hands can lead to serious problems and epidemics that threaten society.
In fact, new data show that there are ten times more bacteria (100 trillion) than the number of cells in our body (10 trillion). It shows that you lead a friendly life with us. These 'new' friends of ours, which science has just become aware of, are called 'Microbiota' organs. It is known that the bacteria in our microbiota support our immune system and have many benefits. However, it remains important to take protective measures against bacteria that are still hostile to us. There are 104-106 bacteria per cm2 as normal flora on our hands. Viral factors such as influenza, rotavirus, chickenpox, and bacterial agents that can cause many serious infections spread most easily and quickly through the hands. Such factors remain alive and contagious in our environments for 7-8 hours and thus spread their diseases. However, adequate hand cleaning is the simplest but most effective method of protection in reducing food-borne diseases, as well as respiratory diseases, and in preventing diarrhea, fecal-borne diseases, parasitic and fungal diseases, which are frequently seen in the society. In developing countries, child mortality rates related to respiratory diseases and diarrheal diseases can be reduced by simple behavioral changes such as hand washing with soap. Although hand washing is a simple action, it is estimated that it reduces the death rate from these diseases by almost 50%.
On our skin, one is permanent and the other is temporary, resulting from contamination. There is a community of microorganisms. While most of the microorganisms in the permanent flora settle in the upper layer of the skin, 10-20% of them settle in the deeper layers. The bacterial load of this flora can be reduced with soap and water, but cannot be completely eliminated. These bacteria generally do not cause infections. Temporary flora, unlike permanent flora, can be easily removed by hand washing. When hands are washed effectively with soap and water, the number of potentially harmful microorganisms in the temporary flora is reduced fourfold.
Washing hands with water alone is not sufficient to remove harmful factors. Hand washing, which takes approximately 30-40 seconds with soap, provides the desired cleanliness. However, after 2-4 hours, the bacteria and viruses remaining on the hands reproduce again and the hands return to their former state with new contacts depending on the work done. Therefore, we should also emphasize frequent hand washing. When we think about what we should be careful about washing our hands after, the verbs listed below are the first ones that come to mind.
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Before returning home from work and after returning home,
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Before preparing food,
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Before and after eating,
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Teeth, mouth, face and eyes before cleaning,
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After combing or touching the hair,
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Before and after going to the toilet,
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After contact with body fluids,
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After touching cuts and wounds on your body,
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After contact with upper respiratory tract secretions (sneezing, coughing, wiping nose, etc.),
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After touching any contaminated part of your body,
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After touching animals,
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After touching uncooked foods (especially red meat, chicken, fish, eggs),
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After touching spoiled food and garbage,
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After completing a dirty, dusty job,
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After changing children's diapers after,
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After using common vehicles in society (public transportation, telephone, elevators, stair railings, etc.)
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Money happy after touching aka hands should be washed.
Effective hand cleaning is possible by applying the correct washing technique every time. Precautions can be taken against many contagious and epidemic diseases with the correct hand washing technique that can be applied in just 30-40 seconds. For proper hand washing, hands are wetted with warm water, soap is distributed to all surfaces of the hands, wrists, palms, fingers, between the fingers, back of the hand and under the nails are rubbed vigorously for at least 30 seconds and rinsed. Hands should be dried with disposable paper towels, especially in public and public places. Let's be careful to turn off the tap with the paper towel used after drying. Hot water should not be used during the procedure as it may increase the risk of dermatitis. Since research shows that classical soaps are at least as effective as antibacterial soaps, using solid or liquid soap is sufficient for hand cleaning. Colognes and hand cleaners containing at least 60% and 95% alcohol are effective germicides. They can be used as an alternative in environments where water and soap are not available. Studies have shown that the use of hot air dryers for hand drying increases the number of bacteria on the hands rather than reducing them, blows the bacteria on the hands up to a distance of 2 meters and transmits the microorganisms to people around them. For this reason, hot air dryers should not be used.
As a result; Since our hands are the main transmission route for bacteria and viruses, hand cleaning is the most important personal cleaning that should be done daily. Washing hands frequently with warm water and soap, keeping nails short and clean; It is the most effective way to prevent the increase and spread of infectious diseases.
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