Importance of Hand Care

by: AimyD
Total views: 19 | Word Count: 511

How often do you think about washing your hands? Better question, how often DO you wash your hands? The reasons for these questions come from seeing many people who don’t care about washing their hands after touching something that is covered in bacteria. In fact, everything you touch each day is covered in millions of microorganisms. Now that you have touched your face after reading that, let’s talk about the importance of taking care of you hands.

Here are a few helpful hints about keeping your hands happy, healthy, and looking better than ever.

Be aware of what could be on the object you are touching. If you are taking a train, a bus or a subway to work or home, you should be aware of the other people that have touched the railings. Many people don’t wash their hands thoroughly when they leave the restroom or touch something else. Therefore, it may be a good idea to keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag or pocket at all times so you can use it when needed. Also, that twenty dollars you have in your pocket has millions of microorganisms on it, so it may be a good idea to keep it away from your face. It may be habit for you to put it in your mouth when your hands are full, by doing this you are transferring these microorganisms to your face and mouth, and this is never a good idea.

Keeping your hands hydrated is just as important as keeping your body hydrated. By using a moisturizing cream on your hands regularly you will have fewer problems with dry, cracked skin and you will be happier with the end result of how your hands feel. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day you are hydrating your body and your skin from the inside out.

You should also look at your finger nails as they are an essential part of you hand. If your nails are exposed to large amounts of water for long periods of time, you may be admitting the growth of a nail fungus. Keep your nails dry and clean at all times. Don’t be afraid to scrub your nails with a nail brush, doing this will not hurt them, just be sure to dry them thoroughly after each wash. If you begin to notice a discoloration or a splitting in the nail bed, you should talk to your dermatologist as soon as possible. The cracking of the nail bed can lead to fungus and even a case of psoriasis.

Lastly, during the summer heat you should apply a sunscreen to your hands, just as would apply a sunscreen to your face and body. This will reduce not only sunburn to your hands, but also cracking and drying. When your hands become dry they begin to crack which will expose your hands to microorganisms allowing the possibility of fungus growth and infection.

Keep your hands healthy, after all they are one of the first things a person notices when you meet for the first time.