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Hand washing
Hand washing is the most effective prevention of viral and bacterial infections.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A 29-year old asked:
How might hand washing affect our family's health at home?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Is phenol used for surgical hand washing?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: Repeated hand washing?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 16-year old female asked:
Is frequent hand washing a good way to prevent illness?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
From excessive hand washing, my knuckles have become extremely chapped. What should I do?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 44-year old female asked:
I've been with friend who has c diff.I've practiced good hand washing but freaking out I'll catch it. What are the chances? Touched things she touched
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Is hand washing dish detergent dangerous for children?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
Does hand sanitizer work as good or better in germ killing than regular hand washing?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 57-year old male asked:
Is proper hand washing enough not get a gi. Virus or is there a need to wear mask. Too?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A member asked:
Hand washing after glove removal or sanitizing hands? Which is better or they work the same?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old male asked:
There is so much information from multiple sources on Coronavirus that it is difficult for me and my family to decode whats really fake and whats important ? On one hand hand washing and good basic hygiene would take care. Whats a doctors view?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old male asked:
Does hand washing with water only kill HIV?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old male asked:
Skin on hand peeling from hand washing; how long to grow back? Is it safe to handle sensitive objects or should I wait for skin to grow back?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
Constantly concerned with health. Ruminating on potential symptoms. Hand washing. Possible anxiety disorder or OCD? Difference between the two?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
Hi! I just popped my molluscum by digging it nail. Will hand washing be sufficient to prevent spreading it? I wasnt wear gloves when it happened.
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
I know hand washing (20+ seconds) is best to kill coronavirus, and that if not available use sanitizer of 60%+ alcohol. I thought my sanitizer was but realized it's only 57.6%. Been using lots for weeks. I've stopped using it. Should I be worried?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old male asked:
Does any soap work for deactivating the contagiousness of COVID-19 when hand washing or showering or does it have to be anti-bacterial?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A member asked:
Hand washing vs hand sanitizer? Which is better when done performing blood draws! would hand sanitizer prevent me from getting infected?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Which product to use for hand washing after doing rubber tapping?normal soap water does not removing the rubber milk that sticking in hands?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old female asked:
Badly chapped hands, job requires lots hand washing and sanitizer use. Every winter hands get this way. Hurts so bad. I need some relief, ideas?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old male asked:
Roommates are not the most hand-hygienic. How is hand washing a preventative measure when they are touching the same food items? E.g. making toast, I have to touch the bread and the jelly jar regardless. Does my immune system take care of the rest?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A female asked:
I have OCD with hand washing but think I'm doing harm to my health if don't scrub off all the soap. Can obsessive hand washing n soap cause cancer?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old female asked:
Iv been washing my hands to much and noticed my skin was dry , burning and broke open skin Im sceared that all my hand washing will harm my unbornbaby?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
After ejaculation i cleaned my hands with water and soap and used a towel to dry them.So the use of that towel from someone for hand washing can make someone pregnant?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
Could nail pitting without no skin lesions nor family history of psoriasis be associated with non-diseased states? For example, too much hand washing?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old female asked:
Aside from hand-washing, getting flu shot, etc., what are some good ways to boost the immune system during cold/flu season & avoid getting sick?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old female asked:
My hands&palms are so dry they are cracked and bleeding from constant hand washing and using hand sanitizer. Are there any specific lotions to use?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 22-year old asked:
Compared to hand washing, is hand sanitizer actually ok? Say after countless diaper changes? Of course not after poop diapers or when I use the b-room
1 doctor answer • 8 doctors weighed in
A 55-year old female asked:
I bought a container of wipes. When I got home I saw red dried liquid on it all down the side. Concerned it is dried blood. I had small cuts on fingers from hand washing. Coulld I get hiv or hepatitis? I know less likely hiv but what about hepatitis?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
The combination of cold, dry winter air, having our heater on and frequent hand-washing and sanitizer use has really wreaked havoc on my hands. Skin is dry/cracked and sore. What sort of ingredients should I look for in a lotion to help them heal?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
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