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Tips to Keep in Mind When Sanitizing Your Hands During COVID-19

May 9, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — stansbury @ 6:45 pm
Person practicing handwashing tips recommended by a dentist in Tyler.

One of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs and viruses like COVID-19 is through consistent and thorough hand-washing, especially if you are working in a field wear interacting with many people throughout the day is the norm. However, even if you spent most of your time at home already, it’s crucial to know proper technique and pay attention to the products you are currently using. To learn which products to keep an eye out for and how to practice the most effective handwashing technique from a dentist in Tyler, keep reading!

Choosing and Using the Right Hand Sanitizer

When choosing a hand sanitizer, it’s important that you purchase one that contains between 60 and 95 percent alcohol. A minimum of 60 percent is what is necessary to kill harmful germs and viruses. When using your hand sanitizer, check the label and review the instructions. In most cases, all you need to do is squeeze out about a dime-sized amount into the palm of your hand and rub it all over both of your hands until dry. This process overall takes about 20 seconds. Do not wipe the hand sanitizer off until it has fully dried.

Keep in mind that hand sanitizer cannot replace handwashing outright. In fact, if you have dirt, grease, grime or other material soiling your hands, you need to wash them using soap and water before applying hand sanitizer. Furthermore, you should always use a hand sanitizer after handling money, touching doorknobs and handles, and before and after pushing a grocery card during your routine shopping.

Perfecting Your Handwashing Technique

Handwashing seems like a relatively simple habit, but there is in fact a correct way to do it. To clean soiled hands, start by wetting both your hands under clean water, then apply a generous amount of soap to the inside and back of your hands. Make sure to clean your fingertips, the areas underneath your nails, and the surfaces between your fingers. Remove jewelry and watches as needed.

Handwashing should be performed for at least 20 seconds. You can sing happy birthday or the alphabet song to yourself as a reference. After you’ve scrubbed long enough, rinse your hands one last time and dry them off with either a clean towel or disposable paper towels.

A Note On the Use of Gloves

Many people may find it easier to simply wear gloves more often, rather than spend more time handwashing. Public health officials are largely asking people to avoid using disposable gloves unless they are a medical worker or if they are already sick. This is because not only can you still spread germs to yourself and those around you despite wearing gloves, but you also promote bacterial growth on your hands because of the moisture that accumulates on your hands the longer you wear gloves. This is why you still need to wash your hands after wearing gloves anyway.

With these tips in mind, you can do your part to keep your family and community safe from the spread of harmful viruses like COVID-19!

About the Author

Dr. Dennis Stansbury has over 44 years of practice experience and is well-educated on advanced safety guidelines for reducing disease transmission in his practice. Him and his team are taking many necessary precautions to ensure your next visit is a safe and productive one. To learn more about his practice or schedule an appointment, you can contact him through his website.

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