With the prolongation of COVID-19, habituating related prevention measures in daily life has become more important than ever. Although masks have been established as a dependable barrier against COVID-19, washing hands have comparatively failed to become prioritized as it is a practice that has always existed in our everyday life. However, around 60% of contagious diseases via virus have been reported to spread through the hands. Therefore, let us learn and understand the correct way to wash our hands to prevent not only COVID-19 but also many other contagious diseases.

■ Why should we wash our hands?

Hands are a breeding ground for germs. Even if they are not COVID-19 virus, around 60 thousand germs are known to exist in one hand of an average person. Because people use their hands for everything and to grab objects, hands cannot help but make the most contact with a countless variety of germs. Hence, if we touch our eyes, nose, mouth, and skin with our hands full of germs, we can be exposed to various viral infections before we even know it.

■ When should we wash our hands?

Although we naturally wash our hands before eating and after going to the bathroom, it's necessary to make a habit of washing hands in other situations as well. 

These are the typical cases that require hand washing:

Furthermore, because there are also numerous germs on smartphones and children’s toys, it is good to continuously disinfect them with a mixture of a 6 to 4 ratio of water and alcohol.

Professor Eun Byung Wook of the Department of Pediatrics of Nowon Eulji Medical Center advised, “because children in particular frequently bite off their nails, their nails must be always neatly managed since germs can easily go into the mouth through such habit.” He further commented, “if you have a habit of licking your finger before turning a page, you must fix this habit as well.”

■ Why is "soap-running water-30 seconds" important?

The most ideal hand washing procedure for the prevention of contagious diseases like COVID-19 is to "wash your hands for 30 seconds under running water with soap." There is a valid reason for this.

On the surface of a virus, there is a protruding spike protein that sticks to human cells to cause contamination. This protein is attached to the "envelope" made of fat, which exists at the outermost layer of the virus and plays the role of a protective barrier.

However, if you wash your hands with soap and running water, the soap’s surfactant melts the envelope and stops the activation of the virus while water washes the virus and germs away. The reason why we should wash our hands for 30 seconds is that it takes time for the surfactant to destroy the outer layer of the virus. According to experts, a virus is good as dead if a hole is made in the envelope.

■ Why should we wash our hands step-by-step?

The handwashing procedure recommended by Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) is of a total of 6 stages (palms → back of your hands → between fingers → fold and rub hands together → thumbs → under fingernails). Although such a long procedure may be rather unnecessary, a virus stays on a hand for at least 3 hours once it contacts the skin.

According to Professor Eun Byung Wook, “roughly washing your hands by quickly rubbing them with only water is useless” and also, “handwashing must be carried out at least 8 times (constantly wash during COVID-19 crisis) since a virus stays active on a hand for at least 3 hours.” Furthermore, he stated that “various diseases can only be prevented through a correct and careful handwashing procedure.”

First, apply soap and lather well. Interlink your fingers and rub in between them, and then rub them with your palm. In particular, wash your thumb carefully. After washing your palm thoroughly, scrub the back of your hands and wrists. Lastly, have your fingertips meet and rub the areas underneath the fingernails. If you wear a ring, take it off and thoroughly wash the spot you put it on.

■ Wiping off the water after hand washing

After hand washing, it is better to completely dry your hands with a paper towel than using a cotton towel. If you do use a regular towel, it is safe to have one separately among the family members.

Professor Oh Han-jin from the Department of Family Medicine of Daejeon Eulji Medical Center stated that “since various secretions such as dead skin cells and sebum as well as germs and mold transfer while you wipe your face with a towel, it is easy for germs to proliferate even after using a towel once.” He further revealed that “it is easy to become exposed to diverse contagious diseases if you use a towel together with other family members, especially when germ proliferation is highly active due to high temperatures and humidity in the bathroom.”

■ What if we cannot wash our hands in certain situations?

If you are in a situation where you cannot wash your hands, using alcohol hand sanitizers (sanitizers made of of active ingredients such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) is also another method. Hand sanitizers are meant to be used to disinfect and sterilize the skin and hands, existing in forms of gel or liquid, requiring no water. 

However, if you use hand sanitizers too often, the skin barrier gets damaged and becomes much more vulnerable to external irritative substances. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizers as a replacement. Furthermore, hand sanitizer products with an ethanol percentage of 60~80% are appropriate. Also, you must always use moisturizers after using hand sanitizers. Even after using moisturizers, you don’t need to worry about losing the effects of the disinfectant. This is because disinfection is completed immediately once you apply the hand sanitizer. 

There are also hand cleaning agents in liquid form. Since this requires water to wash off, it reduces germs rather than disinfecting like a sanitizer.

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