Beware of germs: 5 mistakes when washing your hands

Actually, washing your hands shouldn't be a problem. After all, we've all done it thousands of times and no one has ever complained about it. However, many people actually do it wrong, as hygiene experts have discovered in studies. Especially in times of flu, however, it is very important to take this matter very seriously. This is because the majority of infections are transmitted by hand.

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via Sabrina
03/25/2020, 13:00
Die Grippesaison ist in vollem Gange – und wer sich vor den Viren schützen will, sollte vor allem ein paar Handgriffe beherrschen: Mehr über die Kunst im Umgang mit Wasser und Seife ...© iStock
The flu season is in full swing - and if you want to protect yourself from the virus, there are a few things you need to know: More about the art of using soap and water ...

We pass the germs on in this way and infect ourselves by leaving them behind on the mucous membrane of the eye, for example, when we rub it briefly. And they are already in the body, spreading ... What can you do wrong when washing your hands?

Here are the five most common mistakes:

1. washing too briefly. Just running a little water over your hands is not enough. The majority of viruses stick to the skin. Your hands may feel clean, but they are not.

2. not using soap or not using enough soap. Do not skimp when lathering your hands. The palms and fingers should be completely soaped.

3 . the soap also needs a little time to work in. So don't rinse everything off under the tap straight away. It is better to rub your hands thoroughly in the soap lather again, then they are largely germ-free. Cold water also works if necessary. However, the warmer the water, the easier it is to remove infectious dirt from the skin.

4. don't forget the spaces between your fingers. Viruses have a good chance of surviving here. This is because these areas often only get wet when washing, but not clean. If you want to do it right, you should thoroughly soap every finger from all sides, not forgetting the fingernails. Only then is there no longer any risk of infection. Wash thoroughly several times a day.

5. washing too infrequently. Once a day is not enough. Tests have shown that washing your hands thoroughly three times a day significantly reduces the risk of infection.

Tip: No chance for germs

If you don't have the opportunity to wash your hands in between, you should avoid touching mucous membranes - i.e. don't touch your mouth with your fingers or rub your eyes. Then germs have little chance of penetrating. If everyone around you is sniffling and coughing, it may also be worth using disinfectant. A bottle of this type can be easily stored anywhere and is therefore also a good germ killer when you are out and about. Spray your hands briefly from all sides and leave to work for half a minute. This is almost guaranteed to destroy all pathogens on your hands - including bacteria and fungi.