Importance of Washing Your Hands

Frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand-washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which is an antiseptic that kills 99.99% of germs without any water or towels and come in small bottles that fit in your bag or pocket.

When to wash your hands

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food or eating
• Treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet or changing a diaper
• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes, or waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage, household or garden chemicals, or anything that could be contaminated — such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

How To Wash Hands?

Hands should be washed vigorously by scrubbing with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Germs can hide underneath fingernails. Thus, rub tips of fingers along the soapy palm of the alternate hand or use a fingernail brush. Rinse hands well and completely dry with a paper towel or air-dryer. Turn the faucet handle off with a paper towel to avoid recontamination.

Nail Hygiene

 

Your nails protect the tissues of your toes and fingers. They are made up of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, which is also in your hair and skin. Your nails' health can be a clue to your overall health. Healthy nails are usually smooth and consistent in color. Specific types of nail discoloration and changes in growth rate can signal various lung, heart, kidney and liver diseases, as well as diabetes and anemia. White spots and vertical ridges are harmless. 

Appropriate hand hygiene includes diligently cleaning and trimming fingernails, which may harbor dirt and germs and can contribute to the spread of some infections, such as pinworms. Fingernails should be kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap and water. Longer fingernails can collect more dirt and bacteria than shorter nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.

To help prevent the spread of germs and nail infections:

• Try to keep your nails short and trim them often.
• Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or a nail brush) often when washing your hands.
• Clean any nail implements tools before using it.
• In nail salons, check that all nail implements are sterilized before they use it on you.
• Avoid biting and chewing your nails.
• Avoid cutting cuticles, as they act as barriers to prevent infection.
• Never rip or bite a hangnail as it causes swelling and infections. Instead, clip it with a clean, sanitized nail trimmer.

** Infections of the fingernails or toenails are often characterized by swelling of the surrounding skin, pain in the surrounding area, or thickening of the nail. In some cases, these infections may be serious and need to be treated by a physician. **

Your teeth reflects your overall health!

Your teeth and gums have plenty to say about your overall health. Cavities and gum disease may contribute to many serious conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory diseases. Untreated cavities can also be painful and lead to serious infections. There is also a link between poor oral health and heart disease. The mouth is often used to diagnose, make a prognosis, treat or intervene on a number of diseases. Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red and swollen–and your teeth should feel solid.

To maintain good oral health, here are some rules to follow:

• Brush and floss your teeth daily, at least 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes. Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse as well can help to reduce bacteria in your mouth.
• Visit your dental professional regularly to have your mouth examined. See your dental professional immediately if you notice any problems.
• Eat a healthy diet according to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide. Avoid junk food since sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth!
• Do not smoke. If you do smoke, make sure to visit your dental professional regularly.
• Replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months. 
• Drink milk, as it is high in calcium. Calcium helps bones and teeth to grow stronger!