Exclusive:
Global Handwashing Day today (October 15) seeks to encourage people to wash their hands more often – and a doctor revealed the best method and product to use at home…
Today is Global Handwashing Day (October 15) which is an occasion to motivate people to improve their hand washing habits.
You may think this wouldn’t be necessary, as surely everyone washes their hands when going to the bathroom – especially after having it drilled into us during the Covid pandemic – but your toes will curl when you realise that’s not the case at all.
New research into the bathroom habits of Brits from Faith In Nature found men in the UK are almost twice as likely as women to not wash their hands after a poo (18% vs 10%). Even entering a bathroom guarantees you’re going to get germs on your hands, so when you don’t wash your hands after the bathroom, you risk contaminating everything you touch afterwards.
UNICEF studies show an estimated 1.4million people die across the world every year from diseases that could’ve been prevented with basic hand hygiene, and another study found regularly washing your hands can reduce your risk of developing respiratory infections by 16%, so it should be something that we’re all doing regularly.
But what should you be washing your hands with when you’ve been to the bathroom? Is antibacterial soap superior, or is the Jo Malone hand wash your auntie got you for your birthday enough to get rid of nasties?
Dr. Emilia Pasiah, who works as a Hospitalist at both Francis Medical Center and Northridge Regional Medical Center in Los Angeles, US, has shared her thoughts on hand washing.
She said: “Antibacterial hand wash as well and non-antibacterial hand wash are both effective and beneficial in maintaining hygiene and in removal of harmful germs, thereby reducing the spread of infections. Antibacterial hand wash is designed to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, and in so doing, reduces the number of bacteria on the skin.
“Most antibacterial soaps contain active ingredients like triclosan or triclocarban, which target bacterial cell membranes and prevent replication. Of significance is that antibacterial soaps do not protect against illnesses caused by viruses or fungi, so they may not be more effective in protecting against those types of illnesses when compared to regular soap.
“In fact, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other health organisations generally recommend the use of regular soap and water for routine hand washing, noting that antibacterial formulations do not offer a significant advantage over regular soap in most everyday situations.”
She did say antibacterial hand wash is useful “in environments, such as hospitals, where infection control is critical, and specific bacteria such as Clostridium difficile or E.coli need to be targeted”.
Dr. Parish said: “One disadvantage of antibacterial hand wash is the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially when used long term. Non-antibacterial hand wash is effective in removing germs, dirt, and debris from the skin through mechanical action and rinsing.
“Hand washing with non-antibacterial soap and water is often sufficient for everyday hygiene and is highly effective at removing many types of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. The focus should be on the hand washing technique. It is recommended the action of scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds is effective. This is approximately the time it takes to sing the short version of the Happy Birthday song twice.
“In summary, while antibacterial hand wash can reduce bacterial load, it has not been proven to be clearly superior to regular hand washing.
“For everyday use, non-antibacterial hand wash provides effective hygiene and contributes to the removal of harmful germs without the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance. Both options, when used correctly, contribute significantly to public health by reducing the spread of infections.”
