The right method to clean and sanitize your hands

What is the right method to wash your hands?

Washing your hands is important to remove the pathogenic germs on the skin theough a mechanic gesture. The Italian Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health) published a really useful pamphlet on how to wash hands correctly to prevent the possibility of contagion. Fundamental for this goal is to use soap and water, better if liquid soap, because it is not exposed to air like the soap bar (allowing germs to deposit on the surface of the bar). For a correct hands washing it is necessary to apply soap on both palms, rub the back of the hand, between the fingers and under the finger nails for a minimum of 40-60 seconds and then rinsing your hands under running water. Another important precaution is to dry your hands with a paper towel or with a clean personal towel or with a hot air dryer. Afterwards do not touch handles or the tap with clean hands. When there is no water available, it is possible to use hand sanitizers containing an alcohol solution, such as the hand sanitizer gel, to pour on your hands, rubbing them for about 30 seconds, without any need to rinse. 

Should I wash my hands before sanitizing them with the hand sanitizer gel?

It is not necessary to wash your hands with soap and water before using the hand sanitizer gel. It is advisable to use hand sanitizers that contain an alcohol solution in the situations where water to wash your hands is not available.

Is it enough sanitizing your hands itself when entering the workplace, without using disposable gloves too?

In Italy, the rules imposed by the Ministry of Health regarding safety in the workplace requires the adoption of adequate hygienic procedures when entering your workplace building, with a focus on hands.The employer must make available adequate sanitizing items, such as hand sanitizers that contain an alcohol solution. When it is possible to respect the minimum social distancing of one metre, there are no other preventive measures needed; when it is not possible, the use of facial masks and other PPEs (such as disposable gloves) is mandatory.