World Toilet Day: Why you must wash your hands after going to the bathroom
World Toilet Day 2018: Bathrooms are teeming with bacteria. But do you actually need to wash your hands every time you use the bathroom? Read on for some facts that will change the way you use your toilet forever.
Around 60% of the global population –- 4.5 billion people –- either have no toilet at home or one that is not safe, according to a report by the United Nations. World Toilet Day, celebrated every year on November 19, since 2013, focuses on taking action to ensure that everyone has a safe toilet by 2030. In fact, the bathroom is one of the most used rooms in our home, but it’s also the place where a lot of germs live. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a leading national public health institute of the United States, says in a report that washing our hands properly is a highly effective way to prevent the spreading of infections and illnesses. However, we’re usually in a rush when we wash our hands so we don’t actually get rid of all the nasty stuff that’s lingering on our fingers. After you lather up, you’re supposed to scrub your hands for a full 20 seconds, according to CDC.
That brings up an important question: Are you one who walks right past the sink after using the bathroom?
According to Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, a general physician at Holistic Healthcare Centre in Delhi, it actually doesn’t matter what you do in the bathroom when it comes to keeping your hands clean. “The rationale is that when in a toilet, it’s possible to have faecal material and faecal bacteria get onto your hands. So it’s wisest to always wash with soap and water even after urinating. Neither plain water nor alcohol hand sanitisers are effective at removing faecal material or killing bacteria in faecal material,” says Dr Aggarwal.
He added that washing hands after using the toilet can also keep one from coming in contact with E. Coli and hepatitis. Moreover, Dr Aggarwal says this is especially important for men to bear in mind, because of perianal sweat. “This type of sweat forms around the perianal area, which is the patch of skin outside the rectum. It can then spread to one’s underwear and to other parts of the body. The point is that simply directing your urine flow can be more than enough to transfer harmful microbes to your hands, and then on to your food,” says Dr Aggarwal.
In the end, we should all realise that bathrooms are teeming with bacteria. Door handles, sink handles, counters, walls, and basically everything else in this area are fair game. That’s why hand-washing can literally come in handy.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
World Kidney Day: People who suffer from kidney problems do not get to know until it reaches a very late stage. Here are top 10 signs of kidney disease that you m...
Recently posted . 862 views . 2 min read
There are remarkably powerful lessons to be learned about success from those who have already achieved it.
Recently posted . 623 views . 1 min read
World Diabetes Day 2018: If you are not sure of protein-rich snacks that can consumed on a regular basis, here's a list to keep handy.
...
Recently posted . 921 views . 1 min read
New Delhi: Eman Ahmed, also called the world's heaviest lady, came to India barely three months back in an offered to lose weight.
Amid her three-mon...
Recently posted . 978 views . 36 min read
There is no dearth of studies that show sleep is important for human beings. Lack of sleep causes mental issues, irritation, decline of immune system and even prema...
Recently posted . 655 views . 2 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 6K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
Demisexuality is within the asexuality spectrum and is used to describe a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional bond ...
Recently posted. 803 views . 1 min read
Like a dubious EU directive on bananas, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not saying that we are 50% banana. We are all very much 100% human and entirel...
Recently posted. 972 views . 1 min read
To be known as ‘Scotch whisky’, a mash of cereals, water and yeast must be distilled and matured in Scotland for a minimum of three years in oak casks.<...
Recently posted. 968 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 820 views
Recently posted . 877 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 39 min read
Recently posted . 999 views . 87 min read
Consider this your "What NOT to Do" on the big day.
Recently posted. 528 views . 0 min read
Daily intake of milk may reduce risk of frailty and sarcopenia in elderly.
Recently posted. 693 views . 0 min read