Doctors shocked by what's on clean hands under microscope

You might want to take another look at how you’re washing your hands.

Myro Figura (@doctormyro) and Dr. Dana Brems (@footdocdana) posted a TikTok video reacting to a seemingly clean hand being placed under a microscope.

“This hand looks clean to the naked eye, but is it?” they both ask the camera.

The video continues as the person magnifies the fingertip under the microscope.

As the small bumps on the person’s skin become clearly visible, particles of dirt and what appears to be sand can be seen hiding in plain sight.

“Oh, that’s unpleasant,” said Figura.

“There could be over 3,000 different types of germs on this hand, so you need to wash your hands,” Brems explained.

“Hand hygiene is super important. It can help reduce preventable infections by up to 50%.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to spend at least 20 seconds rubbing their hands together, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating.

Always follow these steps:

Wet your hands with running water and apply plenty of soap.
Soap your hands, rub the backs of your hands and interlace your fingers.
Rub and rotate your hands.
Clean your thumbs, tops of your fingers, and wrists.
Rinse off the soap and dry your hands with a clean towel.

Any soap will do a squeaky clean job.

“There is not enough science” to suggest that over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are more effective at preventing illness than plain old soap and water, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

If soap and water are not available, opt for a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Some “natural” options are also effective: for example, Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer Spray contains 62% ethyl alcohol, and Purell Naturals Hand Sanitizer is made with “vegetable alcohol” and “essential oils.” , has 70% ethyl alcohol. alcohol.

Instructions for hand sanitizer may vary by product, including the number of sprays or amount to use on your hands.

In addition to following these instructions, make sure all parts of your hands are covered—including between your fingers and under your nails—and rub until dry, as recommended by the CDC.