Sept.18: HEALTH MATTERS
Avoid touching these body parts with your hands
It may sound bizarre, but it’s true. Doctors warn against frequently touching certain body parts with the hands. Research shows that hands play a major role in the transmission of germs. This is more so if you have long fingernails or wear rings. Read on to find out the specific body parts you should avoid touching.
Ear canal:Â If you dig your fingers deep into the ear to remove wax, stop! The skin that lines the ear canal is very thin and delicate and can be torn easily causing hearing problems.
Inside of the nose: This area contains its own healthy bacteria. Your fingers introduce different bacteria which can be harmful. If you really have to clean your nose, use a sanitized handkerchief.
Face:Â Your hands contain not just germs but also oils that can clog your skin pores and worsen acne. To keep your face pimple-free, don’t touch it. Before you wash your face, wash your hands with soap thoroughly.
Eyes: Touching these sensitive organs can introduce germs and dirt that can cause irritation and scratches to the cornea. If you must touch your eyes, wash your hands thoroughly before doing so. If you have itchy eyes, opt for eye drops rather than rubbing the eyes.
Mouth:Â Since our hands carry disease-causing germs, putting them in the mouth is asking to fall sick. And, if you are ill, you may help transfer germs from your mouth to other people with whom you make contact.
Open wound:Â In case you need to clean or bandage a wound, sanitise your hands properly. Unclean hands can spread bacteria to the wound leading to a serious infection.
Belly button: Did you know that your belly button is the dirtiest part of the body and harbours a great deal of bacteria? Touching it with your hands and then touching some other body part can spread infections.
Butt:Â The anal region is super sensitive and contains harmful bacteria which can spread through your hands causing disease.
Nails: Under both fingernails and toenails live an incredible amount of dirt and bacteria. People who absentmindedly pick at these body parts release bacteria onto the hands which can be carried to other body parts.
Sources: www.rd.com, www.menshealth.com, Times of India
