Hyderabad: We are washing our hands, staying at home and standing meters apart but what else could be done to avoid COVID-19 spread?
Throughout the day, we touch a lot of surfaces- doorknobs, faucet, elevator buttons where the virus could remain active for days. From those entry points, microorganisms get into our body through nose, eyes or mouth. As COVID-19 isn't airborne but if an individual sneeze or cough that could lead to microbe’s transmission, as they remain active in the atmosphere for hours said Dr A U Prasad, General Physician, Sunshine hospital, Secunderabad.
It is this Coronavirus Pandemic which made us aware of how many times we touch our face. As people have a habit of touching face and this habit is called ticks said Dr Prasad.
It is a very difficult habit to control, as we touch our face for 16 times in an hour a study suggests, purposefully or unexpectedly, on being asked how to deal with it, Dr Prasad, suggested to keep up with self-awareness and conscious effort.
At times when we feel the desire of itch, scratch, rub we use fingers however, tissue should be used. In case if you think you have to sneeze than use your elbow as its less likely to spread germs that way.
In case you have reached till here without touching your face, then it’s a great job otherwise here are the tips you could follow to avoid face touching:
-Be mindful, how many times you touch your face throughout the day- As the touching of the face is a subconscious activity, we do it without being aware of it. Probably till now, you might have touched your face for over a dozen times. Therefore, attempting to remember, not doing it would be one way.
-Identify your face touching triggers- It’s better to identify where you touch the most on your face and why? As most people touch their eyes, some pick nose, our senses are housed on the face.
A lot of face touching habits are from triggers like- brushing your hair from your face, picking at a pimple or scratching dry skin from the nose. However, the best method to treat persistent stress and anxiety is through professional help, like, while watching the COVID-19 you might be nail-biting, however, instead, you cut them a bit.
- Find different options when you contact face-In the time when you consider touching your face divert your attention doing random activities like arm scratching, as it’s a better way to divert attention.
-Keep in mind, not touching your face is for your safety - Always remember, persistent face touching makes you more vulnerable, as the microbes may enter a healthy body through face points as well.
Therefore, follow the measure to give a tough battle to coronavirus and remember to spread out the message as India fights Corona, the battle proceeds could be won only by keeping up with individual hygiene and preventive measures.
Also, read: Caring for elderly people during COVID-19 pandemic
