ADVERTISEMENT

Q. What are the hand hygiene instructions one should follow without fail?

Answered by
Dr. Lakshmi Priya
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Oct 08, 2022

Hello doctor,

I have had OCD about washing hands for many years and have some doubts regarding hand washing.

1. When we wash hands and have created lather on our hands, is the scrubbing more important or the contact time with soap more important?

2. If the hands are visibly covered with a good lather, and some part is not scrubbed thoroughly, will the contact with soap molecules kill viruses, or would it not work because of no scrubbing?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

ADVERTISEMENT
#

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Hand washing has seven steps. Please refer to the world health organization (WHO) guidelines for handwashing with soap and water. Both scrubbing and contact time are important. But do not wash hands very frequently unless exposed to contaminated areas. Otherwise, we may lose the good bacteria in the skin, which act as a barrier preventing infections. Also, it may remove natural oil from the skin and cause damage to the epithelium and expose it to germs. Wash hands only when necessary.

Thank you.


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
Is hand washing required, or can sanitizer be used instead?

Hi doctor, What should I look for in a good quality hand sanitizer ... Is it essential to wash one's hands before eating meals, or is it fine to use sanitizer instead ...   Read full

Suffering from OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Taking medicines, but I do not feel completely good. Please help.

Medications are only used to decrease the extreme symptoms of anxiety (because of obsessions) ...   Read full

Parasitic Worm Infestations and Deworming

- Not following proper hand washing steps and routine ... Prevention is through the maintenance of proper hygiene measures: Encourage the child to wash the hands thoroughly after play, after using the toilet and before eating, every single time ......   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

Also Read


Holi Colors - Are They Safe?
Holi is known as the festival of colors. But are the colors worth playing with? Let us find out.  Read more»
Onions - Nutrition, Health Benefits, and Side Effects
Onions are an imperative ingredient for most of the main course dishes. Read the article below to learn about them more.  Read more»
Benefits of Sudarshan Kriya Breathing Technique
Sudarshan kriya is a breathing exercise that connects the mind with the body through breathing. Read the article to know...  Read more»

Ask your health query to a Wellness Expert online?

Ask a Microbiologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.