The Divine Moment of Awakening’, a sculpture by Frederick Hart “The Breath is your gift to yourself in every moment of your life. It brings your life and nourishment, awareness of yourself and your existence. Your way of Being. In every moment your Breath is continuous within and without. There is no separation.” TLC © 4 of the Most Dangerous Myths About Washing Your Hands Becker’s ASC Review, January 2011, reveals nine widely held myths about washing your hands. Here are four of them: 1) Hot water is better than cold water for effective hand washing: 2) Scientists have found that various temperatures had “no effect on transient or resident bacterial reduction.” Not only does hot water not show any benefit, but also it might increase the “irritant capacity” of some soaps, causing dermatitis. 3) Hand sanitizers kill germs more effectively than soap: Using alcohol-based hand-hygiene products is in general not more effective than washing your hands with plain soap and water. 4) Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizers promotes healthy skin: In fact, contact dermatitis can develop from frequent and repeated use of hand hygiene products, exposure to chemicals and glove use. Soap with triclosan is an effective antimicrobial for hand washing: The results of a recent study showed that an antibacterial soap containing triclosan did not provide any additional benefit to a non-antibacterial soap. Concerns have been raised about the use of triclosan because of the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and that antibacterial soaps are said to be tied to a growing public health crisis. Proper hygiene does NOT require you to use harsh antibacterial agents, which can cause far more harm than good, both in the long- and short-term. Washing your hands is your number one protection against the acquisition and spread of infectious disease without the need for antimicrobial soap. Antibacterial soaps do not kill viruses. People who used regular soaps have no greater risk of developing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which may be caused by bacteria, than those who used antibacterial products. So, the rational conclusion is antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary for the purpose of washing away bacteria. It has been repeatedly shown that washing your hands with plain soap and water can kill germs that cause: The common cold Influenza Pneumonia Hepatitis A Acute gastroenteritis Stomach infections such as salmonella, campylobacter and norovirus. Other contagious illnesses and surgical wound complications, including MRSA 4 of the Most Dangerous Myths About Washing Your Hands Becker’s ASC Review, January 2011, reveals nine widely held myths about washing your hands. Here are four of them: Hot water is better than cold water for effective hand washing: Scientists have found that various temperatures had “no effect on transient or resident bacterial reduction.” Not only does hot water not show any benefit, but also it might increase the “irritant capacity” of some soaps, causing dermatitis. Hand sanitizers kill germs more effectively than soap: Using alcohol-based hand-hygiene products is in general not more effective than washing your hands with plain soap and water. Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizers promotes healthy skin: In fact, contact dermatitis can develop from frequent and repeated use of hand hygiene products, exposure to chemicals and glove use. Soap with triclosan is an effective antimicrobial for hand washing: The results of a recent study showed that an antibacterial soap containing triclosan did not provide any additional benefit to a non-antibacterial soap. Concerns have been raised about the use of triclosan because of the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and that antibacterial soaps are said to be tied to a growing public health crisis. Proper hygiene does NOT require you to use harsh antibacterial agents, which can cause far more harm than good, both in the long- and short-term. Washing your hands is your number one protection against the acquisition and spread of infectious disease without the need for antimicrobial soap. Antibacterial soaps do not kill viruses. People who used regular soaps have no greater risk of developing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which may be caused by bacteria, than those who used antibacterial products. So, the rational conclusion is antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary for the purpose of washing away bacteria. It has been repeatedly shown that washing your hands with plain soap and water can kill germs that cause: The common cold Influenza Pneumonia Hepatitis A Acute gastroenteritis Stomach infections such as salmonella, campylobacter and norovirus. Other contagious illnesses and surgical wound complications, including MRSA. How to wash your Hands To make sure you’re actually removing the germs when you wash your hands: Use warm water Use a mild soap Work up a good lather, all the way up to your wrists, for at least 20 seconds Make sure you cover all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, and around and below your fingernails Rinse thoroughly under running water Dry your hands with a clean towel or let them air dry In public places, use a paper towel to open the door as a protection from germs that the handles may harbor. Your skin is actually your primary defence against bacteria, not the soap; so resist the urge to become obsessive about washing your hands. Over-washing can easily reduce the protective oils in your skin (especially in the winter and dry desert environments) and cause your skin to crack—offering easy entry for bacteria and viruses into your body. Instead, simply wash your hands when they look dirty, and prior to, or after, performing certain tasks that could spread infection, such as: Before and after preparing food, especially when handling raw meat and poultry Before eating Before and after treating wounds or taking/giving medicine Before touching a sick or injured person Before inserting contact lenses After using the toilet or changing a nappy After touching an animal, its toys, leashes, or waste After blowing your nose or coughing/sneezing into your hands After handling garbage or potentially contaminated waste. Traditional soap will not … Continue reading Breath of Life