Hands and foots cleaning tips - Body Caring

Hands and foots cleaning tips

One of the best ways to prevent you and your family from getting sick is to wash your hands frequently. To stay healthy, learn how and when to wash your hands.

How Germs Travel.

        You can stay healthy and stop the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections by washing your              hands frequently. People can contract germs from surfaces or from other people when you:

•          Use unwashed hands to touch your mouth, nose, and eyes
•          Use unwashed hands when preparing or eating food and beverages
•          Don't touch surfaces or items that are contaminated
•          Sneeze, cough, or blow your nose into your hands before touching other people's hands or              everyday objects

Key Periods for Hand washing.

Poster stating when to wash your hands

Washing your hands frequently will help you and those you care about stay healthy, especially during these times when you are most likely to pick up and spread germs:

·         prior to, during, and following food preparation
      ·         both before and after a meal
      ·         both before and after providing at-home care for a sick person who is vomiting or having                            diarrhea
      ·         both before and after first aiding a wound or cut
      ·         following a bathroom visit
      ·         after a child has finished using the toilet or after changing diapers
      ·         following a cough, sneeze, or nose blow
      ·         immediately following contact with animal waste or feed
      ·         after handling pet treats or food
      ·         after handling trash

Based on information from several studies, this list of important times to wash your hands was created. It might be crucial to wash your hands at other times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, you should wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water to stop the spread of germs during the COVID-19 pandemic:

•       Earlier than touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

          ·         once you've touched your mask
          ·         once you've left a public area

·         Immediately after touching door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts or electronic cashier registers/screens, which may be frequently touched by other people

Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands if soap and water are not easily accessible.

How to Wash Your Hands Correctly: Five Steps.

One of the simplest and most reliable ways to stop the spread of germs is to wash your hands. Maintaining clean hands can help prevent the spread of germs within our communities, including your home, place of employment, schools, and childcare facilities.

Always follow these five steps.

1.             Apply soap after wetting your hands with clean, cold or warm running water and shutting off          the tap.
2.             Rub the soap on your hands to create a lather. Brush soap under your nails, between your              fingers, and on the backs of your hands.
3.          Spend at least 20 seconds cleaning your hands. Require a timer? Chant "Happy Birthday"                 twice, beginning to end.
4.            Wash your hands thoroughly with running water that is clean.
5.            Dry your hands with a fresh towel or let them air dry.

Why? Read the research supporting the suggestions.

If soap and water aren't an option, use hand sanitizer instead.

In most cases, the best way to get rid of germs is to wash your hands with soap and water. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available. By reading the product label, you can determine whether the hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.

In many circumstances, hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands. However,

•  Sanitizers do not completely eradicate all germs.
•  In cases where hands are obviously oily or dirty, hand sanitizers may not be as effective.
•  Pesticides and heavy metals may not be removed from hands by hand sanitizers.

Caution! 

        If more than a few mouthfuls of alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ingested, alcohol poisoning can            result. Keep it out of young children's reach and monitor their use.

Applying Hand Sanitizer.

1.               Use the recommended amount of gel by reading the label and applying it to the palm of                 one hand.
2.               Your hands collectively.
3.               Till your hands are completely dry, rub the gel all over the surfaces of your hands and                       fingers. It    should only take a few seconds.

The CDC's Communication Resources.

     The CDC has health education resources to encourage both children and adults to wash their hands frequently.

•     Order free posters and put them up in highly trafficked places like workplaces, public                       restrooms, and school bathrooms.
•    Post graphics and messages on social media.
•    Bathroom mirrors can display printed stickers and clings.
•     To inform specific audiences about hand hygiene, distribute fact sheets

First Foot Hygiene Tip: Wash Your Feet Every Day.

Maintaining the health of your feet is as easy as giving them a simple, daily wash with soap, warm water, and a washcloth. Remember to wash in between your toes!

Consider soaking your feet to advance your routine.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Thoroughly cleaning your feet is more than just rinsing them off in a quick shower." Doctor Rowland, the on-staff podiatrist at The Clinic, "recommends soaking your feet in a mixture of vinegar and water or Epsom salt and water."

A weekly foot soak lasting 10 to 20 minutes while you watch TV can help prevent bacterial growth and infection brought on by conditions like ingrown toenails.

After the bath, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin and try to reduce calluses.

Maintaining a clean interior and exterior in your shoes is also a good idea. Use a disinfectant spray to eliminate bacteria.

Dry off your feet and replace your socks.

It's important to completely dry your feet after washing them, especially in between the toes.

Piedmont Healthcare advises against applying lotion between the toes because it can lead to ulceration and skin or tissue breakdown.

It's important to keep your feet dry because bacteria thrive on warm, sweaty feet in dark, damp shoes. Of course, it's difficult if you're active or if your feet naturally perspire a lot.

A key factor is the footwear you choose. Bring a spare pair of non-synthetic, moisture-wicking socks with you so you can switch them out in the middle of the day. Invest in comfortable, breathable shoes, preferably made of leather or another natural material.

Your toenails shorten.

Giving your toenails a trim about twice a month should be sufficient, depending on how quickly they grow.

Cut the nails straight across to avoid developing ingrown toenails. Do not bend them or cut them too short as this could hurt. To prevent yourself from scratching and your toenails from catching on anything, use an emery board to smooth out any rough edges.

The Institute for Preventive Foot Health advises against cutting your own toenails if you have difficulty reaching them, poor vision, diabetes, neuropathy (loss of sensation in the feet), peripheral vascular disease, or other circulatory problems in the feet and legs. Instead, they suggest that you consult a podiatrist in this situation.

Keep in mind to clean your toenail clippers both before and after each use.

Professional Foot care in Fresno.

Don't forget to inspect your feet for any irregularities as you go about your daily foot hygiene routine. Do not ignore your foot if you notice a problem. Make an appointment for a checkup at one of our podiatric clinics in Fresno, Visalia, or Porterville whether the issue is superficial or deeper.

Since 1997, our group of qualified foot and ankle doctors has provided the Central Valley with compassionate care. Let's put you on the path to contented feet.