Handwashing is something that we learn at a young age and use for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get a little lazy over the years and years of hand washing. It may seem silly to reevaluate the way you wash your hands after so many years of doing it, but it’s always a good idea to take a step back and check in!

Common Handwashing Mistakes

There are three major handwashing mistakes people make. First, they don’t wash their hands often enough. You should wash your hands regularly throughout the day, not just before meals or after using the restroom. Next, people don’t wash their entire hands. It’s easy to out soap on your palm, lather it between your hands, and rinse it away. The back of your hands and between your fingers get just as dirty as your palms and should be washed each time you wash your hands. Finally, people don’t spend enough time washing. After you apply soap and begin to lather, you should continue to wash for at least 30 seconds.

Why Is Handwashing So Important? 

Handwashing is something that’s easy and not too time-consuming, but this simple task is incredibly important to the health of your community and yourself. Handwashing helps to prevent the spread of germs from one person to another. This spread doesn’t even require direct contact from one person to another. Something as simple as touching a railing or doorknob with contaminated hands will leave germs behind, waiting for the next person to come by and touch the surface. Harmful germs have the ability to live on surfaces for extended periods of time. This is part of the reason why the cold and flu spread so rapidly during certain times of the year. Regular and proper handwashing helps protect yourself and everyone around you, lowering the risk of illness or disease.
If you become ill, it’s a good idea to wash your hands even more than normal to lower the risk of spreading your illness. Seek treatment for your condition at an urgent care or walk-in clinic to get the medication you need and more tips for how to manage your illness at home. These treatment centers allow you to come in with no appointment, accept most major insurance, and provide the same high-quality care as an emergency room or primary care physician’s office!