Simple measures, big impact Hand hygiene in everyday life The annual international campaign day, proclaimed by the Global Handwashing Partnership, focuses on the importance of handwashing as an effective and inexpensive measure for preventing infection. The awareness day thereby emphasizes the central role of hand hygiene in preventing and containing infections even after the COVID-19 pandemic [2].Thorough hand washing with soap and water is sufficient to prevent infection in many everyday situations: studies show that washing your hands with soap can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections by 31% and acute respiratory infections by 21% [3]. The basics of effective hand hygiene As a general rule, you should always wash your hands before and after preparing food, before eating, after blowing your nose, after using the toilet, and before washing your face. It is also recommended that you wash your hands carefully after coming home or coming into contact with pets. The frequency and method of washing are both important: in addition to the palms and thumbs, the fingertips and spaces between the fingers should be thoroughly washed with soap and then rinsed. Additional hand disinfection may be useful in special situations, such as when in contact with people who are particularly susceptible to infection or during cold and flu season. Healthy Skin: The foundation of effective hand hygiene Effective hand hygiene requires healthy skin. Frequent hand washing can damage the skin‘s protective barrier, increasing irritation [4, 5]. The formulation of cleansing References 1. World Health Organization. Hand Hygiene. https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control/hand-hygiene (accessed on 22.08.2025) 2. Global Handwashing Partnership. Global Handwashing Day. https://globalhandwashing.org/global-handwashing-day (accessed on 22.08.2025) 3. Aiello AE et al. (2008) Am J Public Health 98(8): 1372–81. 4. Sonsmann F et al. (2022) Procare 27(4): 35–47. 5. McGuckin M, Govednik J. (2017) Am J Med Qual 32(1): 93–99. With the Baktolin®/Baktolan® range, HARTMANN also offers solutions for gentle cleansing, gentle care, and reliable protection for stressed hands. Baktolin® washing lotions are characterized by selected formulas that are gentle on the skin. Their high quality and skin compatibility have been confirmed by independent experts and in extensive epicutaneous tests. The products in the Baktolan® care range are optimally tailored to every skin condition with different levels of care intensity. The skin protection creams provide reliable and long-lasting protection against aqueous solutions and help to regenerate stressed and cracked skin. products is therefore very important for ensuring they are compatible with the skin. Products with a skin-neutral pH value, mild surfactants and natural care ingredients can mitigate the adverse effects of frequent hand washing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from pathogens and stop the spread of infection [1]. Global Handwashing Day, held every year on 15 October, reminds us of the importance of clean hands in preventing infection [2]. Proven and modern: the products in the Baktolin®/ Baktolan® range PRACTICE 25
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