Global Handwashing Day (Global Handwashing Day 2024) is celebrated every year on 15 October. Not washing hands can spread many dangerous diseases including corona. Know what is the right way to wash hands?
Washing hands thoroughly and keeping them clean is considered the first step towards hygiene. By washing hands, you keep yourself clean and can keep the body away from many dangerous diseases. By washing hands, you can save not only yourself but also other people from getting sick and infected. This is the reason why children are taught about washing hands and maintaining basic hygiene everywhere, be it home or school.
But do you know why we are asked to wash hands again and again? There are many reasons behind this. This is said because there are many small germs hidden in the hands which can go directly inside our body. Due to this, the body can become a home to major diseases. Especially when we come from a market, crowded place or party, our hands bring a lot of germs with them. This increases the risk of getting sick and infection.
Also, during the Corona period, people have understood well about washing hands and its importance. But as soon as the havoc of Corona has subsided, people have started being careless again. According to a research, if everyone washes hands properly, then 10 lakh lives can be saved every year.
Not washing hands can cause these diseases
Stomach disease - Not washing hands properly increases the risk of many stomach related diseases. Especially you may have intestinal problems. Diseases like diarrhea, cholera or typhoid are also caused by negligence in cleanliness. A research found that washing hands with soap can prevent 4 out of 10 cases of diarrhea.
Cold and flu- Not washing hands can spread infections like cold and flu. If a person has touched his mouth and nose and then touched someone else or any object with the same hand, then you also have an increased risk of getting infected. This can also weaken immunity.
Eye problems- Putting dirty hands on the eyes can cause many diseases. Many such researches have come to light in which it has been found that to avoid long-term eye diseases, it is important to take care of the cleanliness of the hands. Especially watery eyes, red eyes and infections like trachoma which is the cause of blindness can spread by not washing hands.
Skin infections- If you have any kind of wound, injury or infection, then Staphylococcus bacteria can make it serious. These bacteria are often found in the skin and nose. Which can cause infection if found in an open wound. Therefore, it is most important to keep hands clean.
When should we wash our hands?
Before cooking
Before and after eating
Immediately after touching animals
After coughing and sneezing
After coming from outside
After playing
After shaking hands with someone
After using the bathroom
After coming from a journey
How long should we wash our hands?
You should always wash your hands with soap. The soap should be thoroughly rubbed between and around the fingers. Hands should be washed for at least 30 seconds.