We’ve been told from a very young age to wash our hands, but do you know why it’s actually important? Many people wash their hands because they’re supposed to, but not understanding why it’s so important can lead to lazy hand washing techniques and infrequent washing. Let’s take a closer look and find out why this simple task is so important to yourself and those around you. 

Does Hand Washing Really Matter? 

Yes, hand washing matters! Hand washing is the best way to keep your hands free of germs. Germs have the potential to spread illness and disease, that’s why it’s so important to keep those germs at bay. We touch our faces all day long. We also touch doorknobs, railings, and so much more. Many of those things are then touched by other people. Germs have the ability to live on a surface and be spread from one person to another. Regularly washing your hands helps to protect you in two ways. First, you are lowering your risk of catching an illness or disease from something you’ve touched that could have been filled with germs. Secondly, you’re protecting yourself from spreading potentially harmful germs on to those around you. 

How to Wash Your Hands 

Washing your hands may seem like a simple task, but many people aren’t doing it correctly. To wash your hands correctly, follow these steps: 

• Wet your hands using either hot or cold water
• Apply soap to your hands
• Lather the soap around your entire hands. This means between fingers and the backs of your hands too! 
• Hum the happy birthday song twice, or count to 20, to ensure you’re washing your hands long enough. 
• Rinse with hot or cold water
• Thoroughly dry hands with paper towels or a blow dryer. 

You should repeat these steps and wash your hands regularly throughout the day. Key times to wash your hands include before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, and after returning home after being at school or work where more germs are present. Encourage the other members of your family to wash their hands throughout the day too to improve your chances of fighting off illness! 

Illness Treatment in Cedar Grove, NJ

Hand washing is one of the best ways to combat illness during this cold and flu season and all year round. Sometimes, even the best efforts aren’t enough. If you find yourself struggling with a cold, flu, or other illness, seek professional medical advice right away. Visit AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove to receive quick treatment at a price you can afford! Call 973-239-2300 for questions.