Hand Hygiene Explained

Hand Hygiene Explained

As restrictions start to lift and we spend more time in public areas, the frequent touching of door handles, shopping baskets, handrails or using public transport, makes us more susceptible to catching infections.

When a person coughs or sneezes they can release germs into the air that land both on them, and on the surfaces around them. If they don’t then wash their hands, the germs will be transferred onto surfaces that they touch. These potentially harmful germs are everywhere and if we’re not careful, can enter our bodies through our eyes, nose or mouth and make us ill.

Hand hygiene is one of the most important steps to protect yourself and others from illnesses caused by germs. Washing hands should be our first line of defence, which is why Manuka Doctor has launched its highly effective Antibacterial Hand Wash and Hand Cream. Both products feature signature Manuka honey which keeps hands soft and moisturised whilst also having the ability to ‘Kill’ 99.9% of bacteria’, confirmed through external laboratory testing.

Hand washing should be carried out as often as possible and especially if:

  • your hands are visibly dirty
  • preparing food
  • eating food and drinking
  • touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • treating a cut or a wound
  • caring for someone who is unwell

Hand washing should also be carried out after:

  • using the toilet; changing a nappy or cleaning up bodily fluids
  • spending time in public areas where you may have touched frequently used items such as door handles, shopping baskets, handrails or using public transport
  • blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
  • adjusting or removing a face covering
  • touching food or raw meat
  • touching household waste/rubbish
  • touching an animal, pet food or treats or animal waste
  • caring for an unwell person including handling their personal items

How to wash your hands

Using Manuka Doctor’s NEW Antibacterial Hand Wash, follow the below steps to thoroughly wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (around 20 seconds). Following the correct handwashing process causes friction which helps to lift dirt, grease and microbes (germs) from your skin and rinses them away. It is important not to neglect areas under the nails where a high concentrations of germs can gather.

  1. Wet your hands with water.
  2. Apply enough Antibacterial Hand Wash to cover both hands.
  3. Rub your hands together.
  4. Use 1 hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.
  5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
  6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
  7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
  8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand.
  9. Rinse your hands with water.
  10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.
  11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.
  12. Follow with Manuka Doctor’s NEW Antibacterial Hand Cream to further protect and moisturise hands.

If you do not have immediate access to hand wash and water then make sure you have an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with you. The Manuka Doctor Hand Sanitiser with Manuka Honey contains 70% alcohol and has been proven to kill 99.99% of bacteria. The light-weight formula, is quick drying and highly moisturising, a welcome relief for dry, chapped hands.

How to apply hand sanitiser

Apply hand sanitiser in this order:

  1. Apply a palmful of Manuka Doctor Hand Sanitiser into a cupped hand, covering all surfaces of your hands.
  2. Rub your hands together, palm to palm.
  3. Rub your right palm over the back of your left hand with interlaced fingers; and then repeat with the other hand.
  4. Rub your hands palm to palm, with interlaced fingers.
  5. Rub the backs of your fingers on the opposite palm, interlocking the fingers.
  6. Clasp your right palm and fingers around your left thumb and rub rotationally around the thumb; repeat with the opposite hand.
  7. Rub fingertips of your right hand backwards and forwards over your left palm; repeat with the other hand.
  8. Once your hands feel dry, they are safe. 
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