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Wash Up! Clean Hands Quiz

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:30:35 -0800

With cold and flu and swine flu season upon us, it's imperative to get into the healthy habit of washing your hands. But this everyday activity has plenty of facts and fiction tied to it. Do you know your hand-washing facts? Take my quiz and see if you clean up.

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How to Avoid Germs at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

The cold temps are moving in and it's that time of year for colds and the flu. To prevent getting the sniffles, sore throat, and achiness, you've got to avoid the germs. It's not enough to watch out for germy places in your home. You've also got to beware of places that are shared by tons of people, and for FitSugar readers, that means the gym. Yours may seem neat and clean, but that doesn't mean it's germ-free. So here are some ways to avoid the invisible creepy crawlies that can make you sick.

Spray down all equipment before you use it with disinfectant spray. It may be a rule at your gym that you have to clean equipment after you use it, but who knows if the person before you remembered, or how thorough they were. Wipe down everything you touch including handles on weight machines and dumbbells, yoga balls, and buttons on the displays.
Purchase your own mat for yoga, Pilates, or strength training. They're sweat on by many, and rarely get washed.
If you're a major germaphobe, pack along other equipment like weights and resistance bands.
Bring your own towel from home to wipe off your sweat or to use after you shower. The gym towels are supposedly clean, but you never know.

For more tips on avoiding gym germs read more.

Refrain from touching your mouth, nose or eyes while working out.
Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer.
Keep a towel between you and the seat in the sauna.
Fill up a reusable water bottle at home, and bring it to the gym. Germs can pass easily from a person's mouth, to their water bottle, then to the fountain tap and back to another bottle, and to another person's mouth, if people hold their bottles against the tap when filling them. Gross.
Shower immediately after working out to get rid of germs. If you can't, be sure to wash your hands and face, place your sweaty clothes in a plastic bag, and put on a clean outfit.
Wear flip-flops in the shower to avoid picking up athlete's foot.

Cold Water Works Just as Well

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:47:13 -0700

Germs are everywhere. Swine flu, regular flu, our homes, the gym - there's no escaping the little buggers. One of the best ways to protect yourself is still the easiest: wash those hands! If you're like me, you probably believe that the hotter the water, the better. Not so, says a recent study.

Conducted by scientists with the Joint Bank Group/Fund Health Services Department, the study looked at the bacteria levels of participants after they washed their hands in different water temperatures. The results showed no difference in levels between participants who washed their hands in hot water versus those who washed in cold. The scientists went on to say that tepid water is a better choice for hand washing because it's gentler on the skin and it's better for the environment.

I think it'll take me a little while to adjust to this change - something about washing my hands in hot water just feels safer. When you do wash up, though, make sure you always use soap and lather up for at least 30 seconds.

The Germiest Places at Home

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:50:43 -0700

I know that I've been a little obsessed about germs lately, but it's flu season and I'm trying to get through this one unharmed. I'm washing my hands constantly, not touching my face - I'm even making my own hand sanitizer. The Hygiene Council just released this year's findings of its annual home hygiene study, and the results have me motivated to do some serious Fall cleaning. Here are some of the germiest places found in the home, in case you want to get your cleaners out too.

View Slideshow ›

Summer Safety: Beware of Beach Sand

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:00:15 -0700

Whether you're building sandcastles or just burrowing your feet, getting sandy is an essential part of going to the beach. But if la playa plays into your vacation plans, be warned: beach sand can contain bacteria known to cause stomach bugs.

Though sand often looks and feels clean, remember that germs are everywhere. According to a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, young children who dug in the sand raised their risk of diarrhea by 44 percent. Furthermore:

Other studies that have examined the bacteria content of sand at a variety of beaches that were nowhere near a treatment plant have found high levels of E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria in the top eight inches. In fact, levels can be almost 40 times those found in the water at the same beaches.

This doesn't mean that you and your family need to steer clear of sand altogether. Just be sure to keep sand and sandy hands away from your mouth. According to Dr. Philip Kazlow, you won't develop a gastrointestinal illness unless you actually ingest the germs, so just wash your hands before eating or touching your mouth. If you've got little ones, bring along some hand sanitizer to prevent this Summer health risk.

Which Germy Situation Is More Disgusting?

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I'll admit that I'm a bit of a germaphobe. OK, I'm a huge germaphobe. That's because I know some people are not as hygienic as they should be. You may think certain germs are more disgusting than others though, so tell me . . .

Health Tip: Protect Your Toothbrush From Bacteria

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Environmental microbiologist Chuck Gerba studies the spread of viruses and parasites, and he made an interesting discovery about bathroom hygiene. Gerba found that every time you flush the toilet, your toothbrush gets sprayed with bacteria. Eww! Even if you put the lid down before pressing the handle, microorganisms are still ejected into the air landing on every surface in your bathroom. Although, you probably won't get sick because the bacteria dies when the toothbrush dries, it's a good idea to keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as you can. Placing it in the medicine cabinet or your vanity drawer is a good option. Other items you should store in drawers include contact lens containers, bars of soap, and other things you use on your body in order to protect them from harmful germs. I keep my toothbrush in the bathroom closet. Where do you store yours?

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Health Tip: Disinfect Commonly Used Personal Items

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Spring may be on its way, but we're still not in the clear when it comes to cold and flu season. Germs are still lurking everywhere, so take a few minutes to disinfect the things you touch every day at work, in your home, and in your car.

At Work	At Home	In Your Car
Keyboard Office phone Mouse Pens, stapler, and other office supplies Buttons on calculator, printer, and fax machine Reusable water bottle Eyeglasses	Cell phone Doorknobs Light switches on walls and on lamps Buttons on microwave, coffee maker, remote control, etc. Handle to the fridge Faucets Alarm clock	Steering wheel Stick shift Interior buttons for the radio, windows, and heat/AC Interior and exterior door handles Rear view mirror Seatbelt buckle

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Healthy Tip: Don't Touch Your Face

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Since it's cold and flu season, we're all trying hard not to get sick. One of the best ways to prevent catching a virus is to wash your hands often, because the germs on your hands make their way into your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth, giving you the cold or the flu. We all know that it's impossible to keep your hands perfectly germ-free all day long, so as an extra measure, keep your hands away from your face.

This is especially important in public places, such as a bus, an office, or your gym, where you come into contact with items other people have touched. To reduce your chances of getting sick, avoid holding your head with your hand while staring at your computer screen, and refrain from applying lip balm with your finger. Use floss instead of your fingernail to remove food from your teeth, and remember not to rub your eyes. If you need to touch your face, wash your hands thoroughly first.

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Who Is Germier?

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

We all know that women and men are different, right down to our pinkie fingers. Researchers from the University of Colorado examined many hands and found a distinct difference between men's and women's palms. That difference was germs. Take this quiz to see if you know who is germier.

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