You Should Always Wash Your Hands After Touching This One Unexpected Thing
Woman washing her hands
A "sick season" preparedness kit full of tissues and cough drops can be beneficial this time of year. However, a simple, common-sense measure can help reduce your risk of plowing through your supplies before the winter holidays: hand washing.
"Hand hygiene and infection protection go hand in hand," says Donna Armellino, RN, DNP, CIC, the senior vice president for Infection Prevention with Northwell Health.
Pun intended? Perhaps. However, getting sick rarely comes with a case of giggles, which is why Armellino and her peers in healthcare adhere to rigorous hand-washing standards. She recommends people focus on hand hygiene regardless of their profession if they want to enter the business of staying as well as possible this winter.
"When you look at a household, when one person gets sick, other people get sick," Armellino says. "It could be people coughing, but it could be their hands."
In fact, a 2014 study of 51 people (102 human hands) indicated that the average hand had 150 different bacterial species living on it. Not all bacteria get you sick, but it's a sobering reminder that just because we can't see viruses and bacteria on our hands doesn't mean they aren't there.
It makes sense when you think about it. "Hands touch everything and are vectors," Armellino says. "I don’t think people see the hands as something the virus or bacteria can latch onto and transfer from one place to another.”
Where are the germs lurking? Unfortunately, some commonly touched surfaces make the experts' list. We spoke with infectious disease professionals and looked at research. You'll want to high-tail it to a sink or pull out hand sanitizer after touching these everyday items.
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You Should Always Wash Your Hands After Touching This One Unexpected Thing
You should always wash your hands after touching doorknobs and handles, according to experts. Surprised? You're probably not alone. Touching a doorknob to enter an office or bathroom is second nature. "We generally don't think about door handles at all," says Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital. "They are such a ubiquitous part of our lives, but everyone touches them."
Sharing entry points (and door knobs) might mean swapping germs, Dr. Yancey says.
Just how many germs? It's unclear, which is why it's so understandable that people overlook touching door knobs as a way to grab someone else's germs.
“We don’t know where the germs are because you don’t see them," Armellino says. "Not every touch of a surface contaminates it with something that can infect someone else."
Over the years, research has given some data points about what might lurk on a doorknob and how quickly it can spread. A Penn State student swabbed a cafe doorknob and found 14 distinct bacterial colonies, each containing more than a million bacteria.
Research presented in 2014 indicated that contamination of one doorknob or tabletop surface could spread quickly throughout buildings, healthcare facilities and hotels. Researchers detected the virus in about half of workers and visitors in facilities within two to four hours. Hand washing was part of the toolbox for reducing the spread by up to 99% (disinfecting wipes were also vital).
Related: Is It a Bad Idea To Drink Coffee When You’re Sick? Immunologists Weigh In
Other Ways To Reduce Viral and Bacterial Spread Risk Via Doorknobs
You likely see few doorknobs in healthcare facilities. There are several reasons for prioritizing automatic doors, including helping individuals with disabilities, mobility issues or small children. However, a commitment to reducing illness is top of mind.
"Automatic doors...are a touch-free way to move through the building," Dr. Yancey says.
Still, there's a caveat here. Some doors may require you to push a button to automate the door. Armellino recommends using a paper towel or your elbow to press the button. She does the same when opening a bathroom door (after already washing her hands)."If I don’t have to touch a handle, I'm not going to," Armellino explains.
If you have to touch a handle, Armellino says it's best to avoid touching your face, others or food until you can wash your hands.
Related: This Is Who Actually Needs To Worry About RSV in the Coming Weeks
Other Items That Warrant Washing Your Hands ASAP After Touching
Doorknobs and handles aren't the only commonly used culprits with germs. Dr. Yancey also suggests washing hands soon after touching:
Food you prepared (pro tip: wash hands before preparing food too)
Pets and animals
Shopping carts and baskets
Anything in public transportation
Gas pumps
Pens that aren't yours
Additionally, Dr. Yancey stresses that it's essential to wash hands after using a bathroom.
5 Top Tips for Good Hand Hygiene
Other than regularly washing your hands—especially after touching doorknobs and handles—here are other things to keep in mind when it comes to good hand hygiene.
1. Hand sanitizer is just fine
On the go? You likely are if you are touching public doorknobs. Dr. Yancey and Armellino both say hand sanitizer is an adequate and effective way to wash hands.
"If you are in a hurry, hand sanitizer is the best. It can be applied quickly and dries quickly," Dr. Yancey says. "Make sure you use at least a teaspoon-sized amount."
Armellino suggests following the CDC's advice to use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Concerned about dry hands?
"Most modern hand sanitizers have moisturizers in them, so they can be safely used over and over," Dr. Yancey says. "For folks with sensitive skin, a little bottle of hand lotion is a good thing to carry around."
2. But if you have access to soap and water, always use it
Sometimes, it's best to use old-fashioned soap and water. "For dirty hands, soap and water is the way to go," Dr. Yancey says.
Armellino adds that, eventually, hand sanitizer will make your hands feel sticky, making it necessary to find a sink and soap.
3. Sing a tune
Armellino suggests washing hands for at least 20 to 30 seconds. Dr. Yancey says humming a well-known tune can help. "A good rule is to sing happy birthday to yourself," she says. "This will give you a good 30-second wash."
4. Don't forget to dry your hands
You may be in a rush but don't skip toweling off if you're using soap and water. "Dry your hands and use the towel to shut off the water," Dr. Yancey says.
Bacteria are more likely to spread on wet hands than dry ones.
5. When in doubt...
We don't see germs, but if you've been sniffling lately, you know they're all around us. "A good rule is that if you are wondering if you need to wash, just go ahead and do it," Dr. Yancey says.
Next up: The Top Symptoms of RSV To Be Aware Of, According to Immunologists
Sources
Donna Armellino, RN, DNP, CIC, the senior vice president for Infection Prevention with Northwell Health
Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital
