Know More About Main Types Of Handwashing!

Hand washing with soap is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to keep germs at bay and help reduce the spread of infectious illnesses. The continuing COVID epidemic serves as a reminder that washing hands with soap on a regular basis can help prevent the spread of viruses that cause fatal illnesses.

What are the main types of handwashing?

Hand washing, which is included in the category of hand hygiene, is the process of cleansing one's hands with soap or another non-corrosive material that can aid in the elimination of germs. It is the most fundamental precaution that humans can and must take to keep themselves clean and sanitary. Hand washing with antibacterial soap can help prevent infection as well as the growth of additional harmful microorganisms that can move from one person to the next, resulting in a chain of illnesses and disorders.

Hand hygiene can be maintained by any of the following types of hand hygiene:

1. Routine hand wash
This is the method of cleaning one’s hands thoroughly with plain water or antibacterial soap in order to eliminate dirt, grime, soil or other microscopic organisms that might be present on the hands.

2. Antiseptic hand rub
Taking the COVID pandemic situation, the Govt. of India as well as nations all around the world have continuously been focusing on the use of alcohol-based hand rubs frequently whenever water and soap are not available. These hand rubs or sanitizers kill the germs or any disease-carrying viruses and prevent the spread further.

3. Antiseptic handwash
This method of hand hygiene by essentially allowing the person to use water and antimicrobial handwashes (like iodine, triclosan and PCMX) to kill microbes present on the hands and also the resident flora that might give rise to the spread of these germs.

4. Surgical antisepsis
This method is mostly similar to that of an antiseptic handwash, but this method involves a longer time to be conducted. A routine usually followed and maintained by doctors pre, post and in between patient check-ups, this method ensures that the transmission of germs from one patient to another is eliminated.

The COVID pandemic has taught us one thing that we have now become a habit - to always keep hands clean by continuously washing or keeping them sanitized for our and others benefit.