We all do it, and according to the experts, we do it a lot!
Did you know that we touch our faces as many as 23 times an hour? Whether we are itching our nose, rubbing our eyes or wiping our mouth, we are constantly touching our face, usually without even realising it.
Now think about where else your hands have been. A typical day sees you open doors, push elevator buttons, handle money, all of which have been touched by dozens, if not hundreds of people before you.
In the fight against infection, experts say that after proper hand washing (washing your hands with clean water and soap for at least 20 seconds), not touching your face is one of the best ways of stopping the spread of infection.
Viruses and bacteria can often live outside the body on a range of everyday objects and surfaces for hours, even days. When we touch these things, we transfer bugs to our hands, and then onto our face when we touch it. Viruses enter our body through the eyes, mouth and nose and a simple touch with a finger is all it takes to carry the infection.
But not touching your face is harder than it sounds – how many times have you touched face since you started reading this? Here are some simple tips to help you break the habit.
- Keep your hands busy If you are at home relaxing or watching TV, try doing a simple task to keep your hands busy. Folding laundry, a tissue, or even holding something in your hands will them busy and stop them gravitating towards your face.
- Nail biters beware Nail biting and thumb sucking habits a sure-fire way of transferring bacteria straight into your mouth and into your body. But there are several products available to buy to help you stop. A completely harmless but foul-tasting solution is painted onto the nails and can help you break the habit pretty quickly. These can usually be found at your local pharmacy.
- Help each other Most face-touching is subconscious – you don’t even know you are doing it. Talk about it with those around you and agree to support each other. Whenever you see a loved one, colleague or friend raising their hand, gently make them aware of it. Awareness of what you are doing is the first step in changing behaviour.
- Notice your triggers Try to pay attention to when you are touching your face. Often there are triggers, such as eye rubbing when you become tired, stroking your face when concentrating at work or touching your lips after eating. If you are aware of when it is most likely to happen, you can make of an effort to stop it during these times.
- Prepare for the inevitable It is impossible to avoid touching your face altogether. Prepare for the inevitable by making sure you thoroughly wash your hands as often possible, especially after you have been in a public place, around anyone who appears ill or before you are about to eat or prepare food. Try using a scented soap so you can smell your hands and are aware of where they are before they reach your face. If you are on the move and hand washing isn’t practical, take a hand sanitiser with you to keep hands germ free. Pack tissues for nose blowing, wipes for your face after eating and a saline solution can be used to moisten dry eyes if needed.