Daily contest #5:- The importance of handwashing to Health by @mophebe

mophebe (54)Memberin Steem Healthcare • 3 years ago (edited)

Hello steamians,
Hello steem health care members .

I would like to say a very big " thank you" to the creator of this contest. In the world today where the Global pandemic is a major concern this will help remind each of us how important hand washing is in our Daily Activity and in this time of Pandemic (Covid-19).
Please come along with me as i write to the best of my knowledge what i understand about the above topic. Thank you!

Firstly i will begin by defining what i understand by "Handwashing and Health", and then relate the two words together, how does handwashing affects our health.

A picture of me washing my hand with antiseptic hand wash under running water

Handwashing:- is a process or an act of washing one's hand with water and soap to remover every unwanted microbes/ germs/viruses or even dirt than must have been on our handing at each moment.

Health:-" Health is wealth " they say, health is simply the state of being free from illness or diseases.

Through various awareness in the world today, we know that viruses and bacteria and germs causes fever and even death amongst children, young adults and even adults, and one of the most effective measures to deal with this is Handwashingregular handwashing

still washing my hands, as rinsing under running water is part of the process of handwashing

Why should i wash my hands?

To be free from unseen bacteria,viruses and germ causing illness we need to incorporate the culture of frequent hand washing in our daily life. Our hands are key and we use them everyday of our lives. From brushing our teeth, to bathing, to washing, to climbing stairs to opening doors, operating our phones, cooking and many other more just to mention a few! All this are made easy Because we use our hands.

When is the best time to wash my Hands?

In our primary schools, there were lots of poems that helped us to emphasize on this topic Handwashing

One goes thus:-
i wash, wash,wash my hands x2ce
With water, i wash my hands
With soap, i wash my hands
Now am free, free,free from Germs
Am free, Free,free from illness.
( you can sing along if you know this poem)

After that been said we should endeavor to wash our hands :-

Before and after using the Toilet
Before and after eating
After touching the trash can or after disposing dirt
After caring for a sick or indisposed person
After treating a wound or cut
6.For mothers like me after each Diaper change in our babies
After coughing, sneezing, cleaning our ears or nostrils
After playing with our pets, either from feeding them or from caring for them i.e bathing
After using hands on stair rails or Doornobs
After touching sand either through planting, harvesting or as the need may arise.

Here is a simple step to wash our hand effectively:-

Handwashing is not only about washing our hands with soap and water but also doing it right and effectively ,
For effective handwashing wet your hands with either cold or warm water , apply soad to it and ensure you rub your hands together to form lather spreading it to your palms,back of hand, in between each fingers and to your wrist. Keep scrubbing your hands for about 20-30seconds , after which you rinse off under " running water" emphasizes on "running water" for effective washing then pat dry with a dry towel or under a hand drying machine.

A picture of me pat-drying my hands with a dry piece of towel, you can see the joy i feel in my heart showing on my face knowing fully well that i am preventing myself from germs

Also Note that washing your hands too frequently make cause your hands/skin to get dry thereby losing its shine, so if you notice dry/cracked skin after washing your hands apply moisturizer to keep your skin's Glow and make it shine.

An image of me moisturizing my palms to keep them shining and glowing

After much being said, a simple and easy process of handwash will save us of sickness and disease and inturn save us from unnecessary spending on drugs, and hospitals .

Prevention they say is better than cure, thank you!