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The Advantages of Washing Your Hands

Almost every action people perform at work, school or home requires the use of their hands. Unwashed hands present numerous dangers that proper hand washing can easily avoid. Lather hands with warm, soapy water and dry them with paper towels to reap the full benefits of hand washing.

  1. Disease Prevention

    • Hands are a major transfer method for blood-borne and airborne pathogens. Blood-borne pathogens are viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B that infect others by entering body fluids. Open cuts or abrasions present easy access for the virus to enter the bloodstream. People can also contract blood-borne pathogens indirectly when dried blood touches the eyes, mouth or nose. Airborne pathogens are often sneezed into the air by sick individuals. Viruses land on everyday items such as door knobs and keyboards and live long enough to be picked up by others. A more obvious example of how an airborne virus can be contracted is by shaking hands with someone and then carelessly touching your mouth and nose. Bugs such as the flu or common cold, as well as life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis B are preventable by washing your hands frequently.

    Allergen Reduction

    • Seasonal allergies can be made less insufferable by taking the time to wash your hands. Allergens associated with grasses, pollens, molds and dusts picked up outdoors cause itchy, watery eyes, hives, runny nose and other miserable side effects. These allergens can spread by touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Allergens also spread by touching objects that could come into contact with others. Airborne particles can drift around the home and aggravate sensitive individuals. Keep your household's allergies at bay by washing hands upon returning from outdoors, after handling pets or animals and after using household chemicals that may potentially irritate the skin.

    Bacteria Protection

    • Bacteria rather than viruses cause many infections and illnesses. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can undergo extremes in climate and temperature and still survive to be passed on to others. Bacteria are most commonly associated with food illnesses, such as the E Coli bacteria that infects uncooked meats and vegetables. It is important to wash hands after handling raw food in order to prevent the contamination of other items and prevent spreading bacteria to yourself or others. Some common bacterial skin infections that can be prevented with hand washing are staphylococcus (staph), impetigo, boils and carbuncles.

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