Correct Hand Washing Steps According to WHO
Rancakmedia.com – The following is an explanation of the correct hand washing steps. Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit Indonesia, more and more people are aware of the importance of washing their hands.
If previously many of us were still indifferent to the practice of hand washing, then when the corona virus arrived, washing hands became something that had to be done. No more feeling lazy to wash your hands for physical health.
The reason for this is that viruses and bacteria can spread very easily from one person to another when you come into contact with each other's hands.
Keeping hands clean is the best defense against viruses like the COVID-19 virus, so do your best to keep it that way.
Despite the fact that washing your hands is a simple process, few people are confident in your ability to do it according to WHO guidelines.
Some people wash their hands without soap, while others only wash their hands for five seconds before drying them with a towel or cloth.
Hand Washing Steps
So, according to WHO guidelines, how should you wash your hands?
So that germs on hands can be cleaned immediately, WHO and the Ministry of Health propose a six-step process for good and accurate hand washing practices. This article will discuss the entire process of washing hands effectively and correctly.
Wet Hands with Clean, Warm Running Water
By Organization Health The world, the first step in proper hand washing is to wet your hands with clean, warm running water. Running water is better able to eradicate germs and dirt on hands than using tap water.
Put a Small Amount of Soap on the Palm
To start, wet your hands and lather them with a generous amount of soap after rinsing them under running water. To prevent viruses and bacteria from sticking to bar soap, we recommend using liquid soap.
Especially if soap is used by many people, liquid soap is more recommended. Washing hands with soap is the best way to get rid of viruses and germs on hands.
Cup Hands and Rub Palms Together
Next, wash your hands by rubbing them together after they get dirty with soap. While doing this step, be careful not to get any water on your hands.
Rub the Back or Back of Hands
WHO recommends that when washing hands, the backs of the hands are rubbed as well as the palms. When massaging, make sure to massage the skin and fingers simultaneously with the palm of your right hand on the back of your left hand.
Repeat this step the other way around several times until your hands are completely clean.
Place Right Palm To Left Palm with Fingers Interlocked
Then, with your fingers intertwined, place your right palm on top of your left hand. Do this for a few seconds, making sure the soap is properly distributed all over your hands.
Right and Left Hands Holding Each Other
The next correct way to wash your hands is to train your right and left hands, holding each other and interlocking your fingers so that the soap gets on your nails and the bases of your fingers. If this step is done correctly, the benefits of hand washing will be even more obvious.
The right thumb is rubbed in a circular motion by the left palm and vice versa
Then the right thumb is rubbed in a circular manner by the left foot, and the left thumb is rubbed in a circular manner by the right foot. Spend a few seconds on this step to make sure that the entire surface of the thumb is free of dirt.
Clean Palms with Fingernails
Using your fingernails to clean your palms is the next step in how to wash your hands properly. Twist your nails in your hands and snap your fingers.
This method of washing hands is intended to remove germs and dirt from between the hands and feet which are more difficult to reach.
Wash with Clean Running Water
After all the actions above are done, you must wash your hands or rinse them with clean running water.
The goal of this step is to remove dirt from all hands, from the palms to the backs of the hands, to the fingers and fingernails. Remove all soap from your hands when you are done with this step.
Dry with a clean towel or tissue
Using a clean towel or tissue, dry your hands as the final step in the instructions for washing hands properly and correctly.
Make sure the towel or tissue is very clean so that your hands don't get infected with the germs on the towel. After using a towel to dry your hands, be sure to dry them immediately.
Understand Information About Maintaining Hand Hygiene
Even if it's basic, how to process or how to wash your hands properly must be known so you don't get sick quickly. Remember, this virus is very easy to move through hand media.
Apart from that, you also need to learn facts about how to keep your hands as clean as possible.
The Right Time to Wash Your Hands
Hand washing is one of the sanitation procedures that is carried out by cleaning hands and fingers using water and soap, which seeks to maintain cleanliness. So, when is the right time to wash your hands?
While Food Is Being Prepared
When preparing food, the ideal times to wash your hands are before you start, during the process, and immediately after. The idea is that there are no germs attached to the food when you cook it.
Before and After Meal
Before and after eating are also good times to wash your hands. If you ask why we have to wash our hands before eating, then the answer is so that no germs or bacteria enter our bodies through our hands while eating.
You should wash your hands well before eating anything, especially if you use your hands to eat.
Before and After Caring for Someone Who Is Sick with Vomiting or Diarrhea
People who are unwell, such as vomiting or diarrhea, contain body fluids that contain viruses that are easily transferred.
Therefore, before and after treating someone in the hospital who has vomiting and diarrhea, you must clean yourself by washing your hands properly.
Before and After Treating Wounds
Another recommended time to wash your hands is before and after treating a wound. Open wounds shouldn't be contaminated with dirt, so make sure you clean your hands with soap both before and after treating the wound.
After Using the Toilet
Using the toilet is also a very simple way to transfer germs and viruses, such as the COVID-19 virus. So, the WHO recommended way of washing hands should be done after going to the bathroom.
After Changing a Child's Diaper
After changing diapers or helping your child to the bathroom, you also need to wash your hands so that viruses and germs don't stick to your hands.
After Wiping Nasal and Coughing
Another time to wash your hands thoroughly is after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Hands that stick to hands after coughing or cleaning should be cleaned by washing hands.
After Touching Animals
Also, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after touching animals, animal feed, or animal waste. This is to reduce transmission of the virus after interacting with animals.
After Feeding Pets
You should wash your hands after feeding pets, as well as after handling animals or their waste. You should always wash your hands with soap and water after coming into contact with animal saliva.
After Touching Garbage
Garbage is a dirty thing in which there are germs and bacteria. As much as possible, you don't touch the trash so it doesn't get dirty. But if you have to touch the trash.
Why Should We Wash Our Hands?
After knowing how many steps to wash your hands properly and correctly, you also need to know the reasons why we have to wash our hands. Whatever?
Prevents Germs from Entering the Body
According to WHO, the main purpose of washing hands is to keep germs away from the body. Even if your hands look clean, you may still be carrying germs.
Germs can easily enter the body through hands that come into contact with the eyes, nose and mouth. Itchy and watery eyes may be due to germs that enter the body through the eyes.
Respiratory tract infections can be caused by germs that enter the nose through the mouth or eyes. While germs that enter through the mouth can cause stomach ailments,
Prevent Someone from Serious Illness
Washing hands with soap and running water helps prevent the risk of respiratory, intestinal, skin and eye infections. This infection may be fatal if it develops in newborns, children, or the elderly.
In fact, nearly 1.8 million children under five died of diarrhea, respiratory infections or pneumonia. Proper hand washing can prevent children from diarrhea and pneumonia, which is great news.
Preventing Nosocomial Infections
Nosocomial infection is a disease that may be acquired during hospitalization. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are more likely to get this disease.
This disease can be transmitted by doctors, midwives, nurses or family members of patients who do not maintain adequate hygiene. Therefore, everyone who enters the hospital must be clean and sterile from germs by diligently washing their hands.
Reducing Antibiotic Resistance Rate
If infectious infections can be avoided, the use of antibiotics can be controlled. Antibiotic resistance is less likely as a result of this.
Especially in Indonesia, the use of antibiotics is often misunderstood. Antibiotics are often prescribed for conditions that can be treated with over-the-counter medications.
As a result, resistance to antibiotics will increase. Therefore, antibiotic resistance must be fought by washing hands thoroughly.
Purpose of Ad Steps to Washing Hands
How many times have you seen people washing their hands on posters or in photos recently? Yes, the poster was created to promote the hand-washing movement and encourage viewers to do what the poster suggests: wash their hands.
The purpose of this movement or commercial is to promote and increase public awareness of the need to wash hands to maintain health.
With high knowledge, Indonesia will be able to reduce the risk of diseases caused by germs and viruses such as flu, diarrhea, and the like.
Conclusion
Those are the steps to wash your hands properly so that we can avoid all kinds of diseases. Hand washing is one of the sanitation procedures carried out to maintain cleanliness.