Some advice re.hand hygiene-stop wearing rings.

[Pteuropa]

I work in a clean room (cell culture). We have to have our hand washing technique validated annually.

Remove your rings. Just stop wearing them for the foreseeable future. They harbour so many particles and it’s impossible to get your hands thoroughly clean whilst wearing them.

Just thought that might be something people hadn’t thought of and it really would make a big difference.

My wedding ring has a section in relief, so I normally use a nailbrush when I wash my hands at home, the take the ring off and brush it, then leave it in the sink while I run the hot tap.
I don’t want to have to take it off. I could wear my aunt’s or my mother’s smooth and plain ones I suppose. 😢

Yes we've been told we have to be BBE (Bare below the elbow) now at work (retail), which includes no watches, bracelets, or rings.

Out hand washing policy at work is no stone rings (plain band allowed). Short nails and no nail varnish or false nails/extensions.

I probably won't take my wedding ring off, but I did stop wearing my watch a week ago as I felt that it stopped me washing up to my wrist properly.

Actually I've been wondering for a while whether a watch is no more than a fashion accessory, not really needed to tell the time as we seem to carry our phones all the time now, or stare at a computer screen with a clock in the corner.

I took mine off last week - didn’t realise how dented my finger is underneath them. Also cut my nails right down and only wear my fitness watch when I’m actually, you know, running!

I'd already done this - experience of working in contaminated zones.

I was going to paint my nails this weekend but instead I've just cut them as short as possible so thank you for the advice. I took my rings all off this morning. DH still wearing his but as he is recuperating already I think he's keeping his on.

Thanks, like others on the thread I'd been wondering about this but have now taken my rings off.

I was reading last night that it doesn’t matter with rings if it’s plain or has stones, the bacteria will collect underneath it regardless.

We should make it standard practice to not wear wedding rings at all if your dealing with patients.

You’d want best practice if it was your health at stake.

Thank you I did not know this was important. I had gel nails a couple of weeks ago and when I had them taken off, the dirt under my fingernails was embarrassing. I though I was washing properly but you can't really get in there with the gel polish on. Yuck. Bare nails for me.

I took my rings off yesterday and explained why to dh, it feels wierd not have to have them on as I've worn them for ten years but I agree about washing. At least if they are safe at home I don't have to worry about losing them

I need to lose about 2 stone before I can get
my wedding ring and engagement ring off They do move on my finger, so I can wash underneath them, but I can't get them over my knuckle. Sometimes I panic that I can't get them off. Now is one of those times!

Good point. Will remove rings and watch. My students all have these ruddy talons. Will mention it to them but i bet they wont remove them. They asked me if I was serious ladt week when i asked them ro go and wash their hands on arrival.

No rings here

And waterproof watch which gets washed when my hands do, and swabbed down daily.. Perhaps I need to leave it off more often too?

Get nail brushes and use them. Keep nails short. Wear gloves

I don’t usually wear my rings as I don’t dry my hands properly around them and get dermatitis.

If your ring is tight to get off, find some thick thread, such as embroidery thread. Put one end through under the ring with the short part to your wrist, then going to the finger side, wind the thread tightly around your finger down to the knuckle. Once wound, take the short end and pull, the unwinding of the thread will take th3 ring down to your knuckle and off.

A jeweller will cut off rings painlessly and quickly if you can't get your ring off.

AuditAngel, thanks so much, I did that and it worked!