If you're hygiene-conscious, there's nothing more off-putting than dirty .
However, it appears many people are oblivious to the level of filth on their own mitts. Dr. Myro Figura, or @doctormyro on , teamed up with @footdocdana to show us what our hands look like under a microscope – and the findings are startling.
As we mark Global Handwashing Day today (October 15), it seems an apt moment to remind everyone of the importance of hand washing. Once people see their hands magnified, they'll likely start paying more attention to their .
In the video, the doctors react to the sight of hands as seen by the naked eye. Upon closer inspection of a finger, it's evident that the skin is covered in dirt.
From specks of soil to a stray hair - all the tiny particles of dirt immediately catch the eye. But, according to the experts, it's what you can't see that should concern you.
Dr. Dana stated: "There can be over 3,000 different types of germs on this hand, so you've got to wash your hands. Hand hygiene is super important. It can help reduce up to 50% of preventable infections."
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The clip has been viewed thousands of times since being posted, and social media users were quick to respond. People were astounded by the amount of grime our hands accumulate daily.
One viewer commented: "I can never unsee that." Another responded: "Ugh. Looking at things at the dentist is pretty disgusting too."
Another reader chimed in, urging: "Please do a video on how to properly wash your hands."
The advises that handwashing is a simple and effective measure for safeguarding against illnesses such as food poisoning, and viruses including the flu and coronavirus. The health service recommends a good clean lasting as long as it would take to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, which comes in at around 40 seconds.
You're advised to thoroughly wash your hands in these situations:
- Post toilet use or when changing nappies
- Before and after dealing with raw foods
- Pre eating and during food preparation
- Following nose-blowing, sneezing or coughing
- Either before or after treating any kind of cut or wound
- Whenever you've been in contact with animals
