International

Global Handwashing Day on October 15th

A parent and a child washing hands together A parent and a child washing hands together

Components of successful hand hygiene

Every year on October 15th, the Global Handwashing Partnership's worldwide day of action focuses on the importance of hand washing as an effective and affordable way to fight germs. This year's theme for Global Handwashing Day, "Why are clean hands still important?", emphasizes the role of hand hygiene in preventing infections, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic [1].

Washing hands in everyday life

In many everyday situations, simply washing your hands with soap or washing lotion is sufficient to prevent infections. Hands should always be washed before and after preparing food, before eating or after blowing your nose. This also applies after using the toilet and before washing your face. You should also wash your hands after coming home or petting a pet. How you do this is also crucial: Hands should be completely soaped – take particular care not to leave out the fingertips, thumbs or spaces between the fingers!It takes at least half a minute to wash your hands thoroughly - but it doesn't have to be much longer, because washing your hands too often and too vigorously is hard on the skin! Good skin care is therefore important.

Disinfection: more gentle than expected

Washing your hands with soap or washing lotion is usually sufficient in the private sphere. In some situations, disinfecting your hands with a hand disinfectant can also be useful. For example, when there is no opportunity to wash your hands, or when you need that reassuring feeling of extra safety, such as during the cold season, or when people in your immediate environment who are at risk of infection need extra protection.What many people don't know: Alcohol-based hand disinfection is even more gentle to the skin than frequent hand washing.

The HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER has developed a poster for the campaign day. It shows in which situations it is advisable to wash hands with soap or washing lotion in order to prevent infections – and when it is better to use hand disinfectant.

Infographic Handwashing vs Hand disinfection
Poster Download

Only healthy hands protect

A person washing hands with Baktolin sensitive in the background

Healthy skin is a prerequisite for successful hand hygiene. The formulation of cleansing products has a major influence on skin tolerance. A skin-neutral pH value, mild surfactants and natural care substances can reduce the negative effects of washing.

Proper skin care should not be forgotten if hands are washed frequently. This particularly applies to people who work in healthcare professions. Healthcare workers cite skin irritation as the most common reason for lack of compliance with hand disinfection. 85% of nurses report temporary skin damage on their hands [2]. Regular use of skin care or skin protection products tailored to the user's needs will prevent skin irritation and improve the condition of the skin.

Proven and modern at the same time: the Baktolin®/Baktolan® range

With the Baktolin®/Baktolan® range, HARTMANN offers solutions for mild cleansing, gentle care and reliable protection of stressed hands. The Baktolin® wash lotions are based on selected formulations with good skin compatibility. The high quality and skin compatibility of Baktolin® products have been confirmed by independent experts and in extensive epicutaneous tests. The products in the Baktolan® care range are optimally adapted to different care intensities of various skin conditions. The skin protection products in the Baktolan® range provide reliable and long-lasting protection against aqueous solutions and help to regenerate stressed and cracked skin.

The proven, high-quality formulas now come in a new look. The revised product design with clear color codes ensures easy assignment of the Baktolin®/Baktolan® products to the categories of cleansing, care and skin protection – because professional hand hygiene requires systematic skin care.

It can be that simple

Help prevent infections and protect yourself and others from dangerous germs! Take part and use every day beyond the campaign day for good hand hygiene!

#CleanHands #MissionInfectionPrevention

To our products:

- for hand cleaning: Hand Cleansing (bode-chemie.com)

- for hand care and skin protection: Hand Protection and Care (bode-chemie.com)

- for hand disinfection: Hand Disinfection (bode-chemie.com)

References:

  1. Global Handwashing Partnership, About Global Handwashing Day,Global Handwashing Day - The Global Handwashing Partnership (accessed on: 16.08.2024)
  2. McGuckin M, Govednik J. Irritant Contact Dermatitis on Hands. Am J Med Qual 2017; 32 (1): 93–99.

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