Proper hand washing

Steps for proper handwashing include:

Take off any jewelry
Hold your hands pointing down under warm water for 15 to 30 seconds. Clean under your nails also
Rinse well
Dry with a clean towel

Proper handwashing is the best way to avoid spreading germs to help prevent infection.

Reviewed last on: 2/14/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.

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