Updated
Flu and virus season is well underway and the easiest way to protect yourself from being affected by illness is to wash your hands. But how do you do it properly and what soaps should you use? We have the answer!
You can definitely go a long way with normal hand-washing. So even if hand sanitisers are sold out everywhere, all hope is not lost. The fact is that hand sanitiser is only a complimentary part of good hand hygiene. In other words, it's more important that you wash your hands properly than over-using hand sanitisers.
It's always vital to wash your hands, regardless of whether bugs are going around or not. By washing your hands you reduce the risk of transferring viruses to others. Bacteria and viruses can be passed on frequently touched surfaces like hand rails, door handles, the surfaces of the tube and all manner of surfaces in public areas. You likely touch more things on your way to work than you realise, and when you then touch your face, wipe your nose or rub your eyes afterwards, you increase the chances of letting that bacteria or virus in to your system.
The NHS recommends you wash your hands in the following circumstances:
Rinse your hands with a bit of water and then dry them on your pants to dry them quickly? Wrong! Washing your hands properly requires a bit more care and time.
A thorough hand-washing takes around 30 seconds from start to finish.
Bars of soap, foamy soaps, liquid soaps or antibacterial options - there are loads to choose from. Which type is actually the best? The most important thing is that you actually use whatever soap you have properly when washing your hands.
If you use bars of soap, be sure to rinse the bar after use and let it dry completely on occasion, it helps in letting your soap last longer. If more than one person uses the soap though, a pump-dispenser might be a better alternative.
It's completely fine to use normal soap, so you don't need antibacterial soaps. The fact is that research has shown that using antibacterial soaps can increase risk factors for developing allergies and sensitivities in babies and young children under the age of 18.
Washing your hands doesn't need to be a drag - enhance the ritual with some liquid hand soap fit for a spa.
In order to make it easier for you to find great content on the theme of protection from illnesses, we've created a collection page for all of the related stories and content we've made on this topic. The page is updated on an on-going basis and here we'll gather guides and tips we hope will be of use and helpful to you in these flu-ridden times.