Clean Hands from Start to Finish

Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Do you wash your hands after running or after a race? Maybe you don’t see a reason why you should. Besides, who brings soap and water in a race, anyway?

According to DOH Health Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial, repeated hand-washing in a day reduces the incidence of diarrheal diseases, cough and colds, among ailments, by as much as 40 to 50 percent.

When should you wash your hands?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US provided a list of when you should wash your hands?

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After touching garbage

Why Hand Washing is Necessary for Runners

Hand washing for runners would be just as important to stop germs from spreading from one person to another. With thousand of runners joining a race each week, the spread of germs and illness can be very fast.

Are you one of the runners who would use the portalets?

Are you one of the runners who would touch their shoes, socks or fix their shoelaces?

Are you one of the runners who would hold on to the railings, the sidewalk, or even the concrete or asphalt ground since there is no place to sit on?

Are you one of the runners who would love to eat from the samples and freebies after the race?

If you are one of these runners, then hand washing is a must.

Research also shows that after 90 minutes of strenuous exercise, a runner’s immune system may weaken making you more susceptible to infection. The weakening of the immune system is temporary but may last from 3 to 72 hours. That’s enough time for germs and viruses to catch up on you.

No Soap and Water? No Problem

But most races do not provide soap and water where runners can keep themselves clean. If soap and water are not available, CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. (http://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/)
Good thing, a wide selection of Hygienix Hand Care products that you can easily carry is available in the market. Hygienix makes clean hands possible, whenever, wherever.

Hygienix is effective in killing up to 99.99% of disease causing bacteria and germs. It has a cool and fresh scent. It is formulated with moisturizers to keep your hands soft and smooth. Hygienix comes in either 60% isopropyl alcohol or 60% ethyl alcohol.

My weapon of choice is the Hygienix Anti-bacterial Hand Spray Fresh Defense which comes in a 20mL spray bottle. It’s small and compact that it simply fits in my hydration belt. It’s very convenient to carry around while running.

An infection outbreak is a real risk for runners during races. In fact, organizers of the ING New York Marathon 2009 included hand sanitizers in the loot bags. Hand sanitizers were also available at the pre race expo and at the starting line. The organizers encouraged runners to use the hand sanitizer to protect them from the H1N1 virus that killed more than 14,000 people worldwide in 2009.

The organizers also reminded the runners that “the immune system may be depressed for 72 hours after a marathon, so during that window, they should take extra care to wash their hands, get rest, stay warm, and use hand sanitizer.”

Hygienix Hand Care Line

Hygienix Hand Care Line will effectively keep you protected during races and even at home and in the workplace. Hygienix is available in leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.

You can be sure you have clean hands on and off the road.

Check out the complete Hygienix Hand Care Line below.

Hygienix Anti-bacterial Hand Spray Fresh Defense
Available in 20 mL (SRP 25.00) and 55 mL (SRP 39.50).

Hygienix Ethyl Alcohol 65% Solution
Available in 60 mL (SRP 15.00), 150 mL (SRP 28.00) and 250 mL (SRP 40.00)

Hygienix Anti-bacterial Hand Gel Fresh Defense
Available in 55 mL (SRP 29.00) and 100 mL (SRP 45.00).

Hygienix Anti-bacterial Liquid Hand Soap Active Guard and Fresh Protect
Available in 30 mL (SRP 45.00)